--- title: Do certain foods affect PMS severity? | Niyora description: Fish and seafood were linked to lower PMS severity, but this was a cross-sectional study so we cannot prove that eating fish causes the improvement. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/do-dietary-habits-affect-the-premenstrual-syndrome-severity-among-a-cohort-of-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do certain foods affect PMS severity? Cohort study, 2023 # Do certain foods affect PMS severity? Fish and seafood were linked to lower PMS severity, but this was a cross-sectional study so we cannot prove that eating fish causes the improvement. Early or limited evidence 100 Egyptian women with PMS, mean age 27.1 years ## What they did Researchers measured PMS severity and food intake in 100 Egyptian women with PMS from October 2021 to March 2022 using a PMS scale and a food frequency questionnaire. ## What they found 60% had moderate PMS, 24% had severe, and 16% had mild. More fish and seafood consumption was linked to lower PMS severity (p = 0.008). Tubers showed a statistical link but no clear directional correlation (p = 0.03). Grains, dairy products, caffeine, fat, sweets, vegetables, fruits, seasonings, and pickles showed no link to PMS. ## What it means for you Among Egyptian women, eating fish and seafood may be connected to milder PMS. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot prove that eating fish actually causes lower PMS. The findings may not apply to women in other countries. 60% had moderate PMS 24% had severe PMS p = 0.008 fish and seafood linked to lower PMS ## About the study Original title Do dietary habits affect the premenstrual syndrome severity among a cohort of Egyptian females? A cross-sectional study Authors Nisreen A. Helmy, Dalia M. Kamel, Amir A. Gabr et al. Journal Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy Year 2023 Study design Cohort study Participants 100 What was tested None; observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/s43161-023-00122-1](https://doi.org/10.1186/s43161-023-00122-1) Original abstract Abstract Background Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is considered a common recurring emotional as well as physical disorder which has an effect on the women’s quality of life. Results of previous studies about the relationship between PMS and food intake are contradicted. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the PMS and food consumption in menstrual females. The study was carried out in the Outpatient Physiotherapy Department Clinic in Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. The study was carried out from October 2021 to March 2022. One-hundred participants that were having PMS enrolled into this study (n = 100) with a mean age of 27.1 ± 4.98 and a mean BMI of 26.4 ± 4.5. The PMS scale was used to assess the degree of PMS, and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was applied to evaluate the food consumption. Results A total of 16% of females had mild PMS, 60% had moderate, and 24% had severe PMS. There was a significant relationship between PMS severity and specific food consumption as consumption of tubers as well as fish and seafood (p = 0.03 & p = 0.008, respectively). There was a significant inverse correlation between PMS severity and the fish and seafood consumption, while there was no significant correlation between the PMS severity and tuber consumption. However, there was no significant relationship between PMS and grains, dairy products, caffeine intake, fat intake, sweets, vegetables, fruits, seasonings, and pickles. Conclusion The present study suggested that severity of PMS might be affected by specific dietary habits. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between PMS and amount of food consumption. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) 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, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Survey study, 2026 Does what you eat affect PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2026 How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2025 Do certain nutrients and body weight affect PMS? Survey study, 2023 Does eating more fiber help reduce PMS symptoms? Case-control study, 2022 Do hunger hormones and eating patterns differ between women with and without PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗