--- title: Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle? description: Yes. 70.4% of women reported increased appetite during their menstrual cycle, peaking at 85.8% before menstruation. Cravings for sweets were linked to depress url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/change-in-appetite-and-food-craving-during-menstrual-cycle-in-young-students-2020/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2020 # Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle? Yes. 70.4% of women reported increased appetite during their menstrual cycle, peaking at 85.8% before menstruation. Cravings for sweets were linked to depression, anger, and sleepiness. Early or limited evidence 311 female health sciences students ## What they did Cross-sectional study. 311 female health sciences students completed a questionnaire about changes in appetite and food cravings before, during, and after their period, and how these changes were linked to premenstrual symptoms. ## What they found 70.4% of women had increased appetite during the menstrual cycle, with the highest rate (85.8%) before menstruation. Sweets had the highest intake during all menstrual phases followed by junk food. Increased appetite was significantly linked to depression and sleepiness. Increased sweets intake was linked to depression, anger, and sleepiness. Junk food intake was linked to irritability and depression. ## What it means for you Many women experience increased appetite before their period, especially for sweets and junk food. These cravings are linked to mood symptoms like depression and anger. The study shows the connection but cannot prove that hormones cause the cravings or mood changes. 311 female students 70.4% had increased appetite during menstrual cycle 85.8% had increased appetite before menstruation ## About the study Original title Change in appetite and food craving during menstrual cycle in young students Authors Matsuura Yukie, Inoue Aoi, Kidani Mizuki et al. Journal International Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism Year 2020 Study design Survey study Participants 311 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5897/ijnam2019.0264](https://doi.org/10.5897/ijnam2019.0264) Original abstract The change in appetite and food cravings before, during and after menstruation and the relationships between each premenstrual symptom and change in appetite and type of food with increased intake were investigated. This study was conducted by a self-administered questionnaire in 311 female students of health sciences. It was found that the proportion of students who increased the appetite was 70.4% during the menstruation cycle, and the highest period was before menstruation (85.8%). Sweets had the highest intake in all menstrual phases followed by junk food. It was found that increased appetite was significantly associated with depression and sleepiness. Moreover, increased intake of sweets was associated with depression, anger and sleepiness, while intake of junk food was associated with irritability and depression. In conclusion, the relationships between increased appetite for sweets and junk food and premenstrual symptoms indicate the need for promoting proper menstruation-related eating habits. Key words: Premenstrual symptoms, change in appetite, food craving, sweets, junk food. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2017 Are PMS symptoms linked to mood disorders and personality? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2019 What are the best ways to manage PMS? Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Survey study, 2025 Are premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms, stress, and sleep quality linked in female nursing students? Randomised trial, 2022 Does PMS50 supplementation reduce psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗