--- title: Do women with premenstrual symptoms have different gut bacteria? description: Yes. Women with premenstrual symptoms that interfere with their social life have different gut bacteria compared to women without such symptoms, though the di url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/characteristics-of-the-gut-microbiota-in-women-with-premenstrual-symptoms-a-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with premenstrual symptoms have different gut bacteria? Survey study, 2022 # Do women with premenstrual symptoms have different gut bacteria? Yes. Women with premenstrual symptoms that interfere with their social life have different gut bacteria compared to women without such symptoms, though the differences are modest and some do not remain significant after statistical correction. Early or limited evidence 21 women with premenstrual symptoms interfering with social life and 22 women with no serious symptoms ## What they did Cross-sectional pilot study comparing gut bacteria in stool samples and inflammation markers in blood from 21 women with premenstrual symptoms interfering with social life versus 22 women without serious symptoms. Stool samples were analyzed using DNA sequencing. ## What they found Inflammation markers did not differ between groups. Gut bacteria composition differed. The Bacteroidetes bacteria group was lower in women with symptoms. Several individual bacteria types differed between groups including lower Butyricicoccus, Extibacter, Megasphaera, and Parabacteroides and higher Anaerotaenia in the symptom group. Symptom severity correlated with certain bacterial types. ## What it means for you The bacteria in your gut may be related to premenstrual symptoms. However, the differences found are small and need confirmation in larger studies. This was a small pilot study with only 21 women with symptoms, which is a major limitation. 21 Women with premenstrual symptoms 22 Control women without symptoms 5 Bacterial types with differences ## About the study Original title Characteristics of the gut microbiota in women with premenstrual symptoms: A cross-sectional study Authors Takeda T, Yoshimi K, Kai S et al. Journal PloS one Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 29 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268466](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268466) Original abstract Purpose: Premenstrual symptoms can negatively impact the quality of life of women through a range of mood, behavioral, and physical symptoms. The association between the microbiota and brain function has been extensively studied. Here, we examined the characteristics of the microbiota in women with premenstrual disorders (PMDs) and the association between premenstrual symptoms and the microbiota. Materials and methods: In this single center cross-sectional pilot study, we recruited 27 women reporting premenstrual symptoms and 29 women with no serious premenstrual symptoms. Among them, we further selected 21 women experiencing premenstrual symptoms resulting in interference to their social life (PMDs group) and 22 women with no serious premenstrual symptoms and thereby no interference to their social life (control group). The severity of symptoms was evaluated by a premenstrual symptoms questionnaire (PSQ). Inflammatory markers were analyzed in blood samples, including C reactive protein, soluble CD14, and lipopolysaccharide binding protein. Sequencing of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid genes was performed on stool samples. Results: Inflammatory markers in blood samples did not differ significantly between the PMDs and control groups. A difference in beta, but not alpha diversity, was detected for the gut microbiotas of the PMDs and control groups. The relative abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum was lower in the PMDs group. At the genus level, the prevalence was decreased for Butyricicoccus, Extibacter, Megasphaera, and Parabacteroides and increased for Anaerotaenia in the PMDs group, but after false discovery rate correction, these differences were no longer significant. Linear discriminant effect size analysis revealed a decrease in Extibacter, Butyricicoccus, Megasphaera, and Parabacteroides and an increase in Anaerotaenia in the PMDs group. The PSQ total score correlated with Anaerotaenia, Extibacter, and Parabacteroides. Multiple regression analysis showed that Parabacteroides and Megasphaera negatively predicted the PSQ total score. Conclusion: The properties of the gut microbiota are associated with premenstrual symptoms. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[IBS and gut symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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, 2021 Is there a reliable tool to measure menstrual distress? Randomised trial, 2026 Does individualized nutrition therapy help women with PMS improve symptoms and health? Survey study, 2024 How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood? Survey study, 2020 Do women with IBS and period problems have worse psychological symptoms? Review, 2009 What health issues are especially important for women's wellness throughout their lives? 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