---
title: What diet, stress, and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS symptoms?
description: High coffee intake, sugar, stress, smoking, and low physical activity were all linked to worse PMS symptoms, with stress showing the strongest association. Th
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/dietary-psychological-and-lifestyle-factors-associated-with-premenstrual-2022/
---

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- What diet, stress, and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2022

# What diet, stress, and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS symptoms?

High coffee intake, sugar, stress, smoking, and low physical activity were all linked to worse PMS symptoms, with stress showing the strongest association. These are associations only, not proven causes.

 Moderate study design

1,831 women aged 18-50 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

## What they did

A large survey of 1,831 women aged 18-50 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia conducted between December 2015 and June 2016. Researchers interviewed women about diet, physical activity, smoking, stress, and PMS symptoms, then used statistical analysis to find associations.

## What they found

Drinking more than 5 cups of Arabic coffee linked to higher odds of mood changes (2.44 times), pain, appetite gain, and headaches. High sugar intake linked to mood problems and abdominal pain. High psychological distress associated with all symptom domains, especially any 3+ symptoms (3.52 times). Low physical activity linked to breast pain. Smokers 3.41 times more likely to report 3+ symptoms.

## What it means for you

Multiple lifestyle factors correlated with PMS symptoms, and stress had the strongest link. This study shows associations, not proof that these factors cause PMS. Conducted in Saudi Arabia, so results may not apply in other countries. The large sample is a strength.

2.44

Increased odds of mood changes with >5 cups coffee

3.52

Increased odds of 3+ symptoms with high stress

3.41

Increased odds of 3+ symptoms for smokers

## About the study

Original title Dietary, Psychological and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Premenstrual Symptoms Authors AlQuaiz A, Albugami M, Kazi A et al. Journal International journal of women's health Year 2022 Study design Survey study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s387259](https://doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s387259)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)

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.

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