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Survey study, 2024

Does diet or exercise affect PMS symptoms?

In this study of women in India, there was no link between PMS and junk food, physical activity, sugar, salt, or citrus fruits. This is one small study in one city, so it may not apply to all women.

Early or limited evidence 200 women in Chennai, India, average age 20.3 years

What they did

Cross-sectional study of 200 women in Chennai. Women recorded their PMS symptoms in diaries for two menstrual cycles using a standard questionnaire. Researchers looked for connections between symptoms and diet or exercise habits.

What they found

124 women (73.8%) reported heavy menstrual bleeding and 142 women (84.5%) reported menstrual cramps. There was no connection found between PMS and junk food intake, physical activity, sugar, salt, or eating citrus fruits.

What it means for you

Common beliefs about diet and exercise affecting PMS were not supported in this study. However, this is one study in one city in India, so findings may not apply to other groups or other foods not studied here.

200

women

73.8%

with heavy menstrual bleeding

84.5%

with menstrual cramps

About the study

Original title
Charting the Monthly Waves: An Observational Study on the Dynamics of Premenstrual Syndrome
Journal
Texila international journal of public health
Year
2024
Study design
Survey study
Participants
200
What was tested
None (no treatment tested)
Open access
Yes

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