--- title: Does 6 weeks of online nutrition education reduce PMS symptoms? description: PMS symptoms decreased significantly after 6-week WhatsApp nutrition education, especially mood and bloating. However, without a control group, we cannot dete url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/changes-in-premenstrual-syndrome-severity-nutrition-knowledge-and-eating-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does 6 weeks of online nutrition education reduce PMS symptoms? Non-randomised trial, 2026 # Does 6 weeks of online nutrition education reduce PMS symptoms? PMS symptoms decreased significantly after 6-week WhatsApp nutrition education, especially mood and bloating. However, without a control group, we cannot determine if improvements were from the program, placebo effect, or natural cycles. Early or limited evidence 112 female university students from one women's dormitory (convenience sample) ## What they did Uncontrolled single-arm pretest-posttest study of 112 female university students in a women's dormitory. Daily nutrition education delivered via WhatsApp for 6 weeks (42 information cards). PMS severity, nutrition knowledge, and eating attitudes measured before and after. ## What they found PMS symptom severity significantly decreased (mean change = 14.28, p = 0.001). Decreases occurred across eight symptom categories; largest improvements in depressive mood and bloating (d z = 0.19-0.38). Nutrition knowledge did not improve significantly (p = 0.409) and eating attitudes did not change (p = 0.654). Symptom improvement was not correlated with knowledge increases. ## What it means for you Online nutrition education may help reduce PMS symptoms, especially mood and bloating. However, without a control group, improvements could be placebo, natural monthly variation, or just from attention and support rather than the specific content. Notably, PMS improved even though knowledge didn't increase, suggesting benefits may come from engagement or other factors. 112 female university students 14.28 mean decrease in PMS symptom score 6 weeks duration of nutrition education program ## About the study Original title Changes in Premenstrual Syndrome Severity, Nutrition Knowledge, and Eating Attitudes Following Online Nutrition Education in Female University Students: An Uncontrolled Single-Arm Pretest-Posttest Study Authors Sarıyer ET, Baş M, Çolak Çetinkaya H Journal Nutrients Year 2026 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 112 What was tested 6-week daily WhatsApp-based nutrition education (42 informational cards) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3390/nu18172893](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18172893) Original abstract Background/Objectives: This study evaluated changes in PMS severity, nutrition knowledge, and eating attitudes over a 6-week online nutrition education programme delivered to female university students. Methods: This uncontrolled single-arm pretest/posttest study included 112 female university students recruited by convenience sampling from a women's dormitory. Nutrition education was delivered daily for 6 weeks via WhatsApp as 42 informational cards. Measurements were taken before and after the programme. Attitudes and behaviours associated with disordered eating were screened using the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), nutrition knowledge using the Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults (NKLSA), and premenstrual symptom severity using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS). Results: No significant changes occurred in nutrition knowledge ( p = 0.409) or eating attitudes ( p = 0.654). The PMSS score significantly decreased (mean change = 14.28 ± 46.34; 95% CI 5.60-22.96; p = 0.001, d z = 0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.50), with decreases across eight subscales (d z = 0.19-0.38; BH q p = 0.423); the largest standardized changes were observed for depressive mood and bloating. PMSS change was not correlated with knowledge (r = 0.001) or knowledge with eating attitudes (r = 0.057); PMSS and eating attitude changes were weakly positively correlated (r = 0.187, p = 0.048; exploratory, not corrected for multiplicity). Conclusions: Following a 6-week WhatsApp-based nutrition education programme, self-reported PMS severity decreased, particularly mood and somatic symptoms, without changes in nutrition knowledge or eating attitudes. The uncontrolled single-arm design precludes attributing these changes to the programme. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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, 2024 Can yoga and diet reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Non-randomised trial, 2022 Is nutrition status linked to PMS, and does health education help? Non-randomised trial, 2006 Does PMS nutrition education help college students with PMS? Survey study, 2003 How common is PMS and what factors are associated with it in college-aged women in Saudi Arabia? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Non-randomised trial, 2026 Do dietary changes or sun exposure reduce PMS symptoms in adolescent girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗