--- title: Does a low-fat diet reduce symptoms of cyclical breast pain? | Niyora description: Yes. After 6 months on a low-fat diet, women had significant reduction in premenstrual breast tenderness and swelling. On physical exam, 6 of 10 women in the url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-a-low-fat-high-carbohydrate-diet-on-symptoms-of-cyclical-mastopathy-1988/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a low-fat diet reduce symptoms of cyclical breast pain? Randomised trial, 1988 # Does a low-fat diet reduce symptoms of cyclical breast pain? Yes. After 6 months on a low-fat diet, women had significant reduction in premenstrual breast tenderness and swelling. On physical exam, 6 of 10 women in the diet group showed improvement compared to 2 of 9 in the control group. Moderate study design 21 women with severe cyclical breast pain lasting at least 5 years ## What they did 21 women with severe cyclical breast pain lasting at least 5 years were randomly assigned to either a control group (general diet advice) or an intervention group (low-fat diet at 15% of calories, with more complex carbohydrates). Both groups kept food records, had hormone and lipid measurements, and recorded symptoms daily for 6 months. ## What they found The low-fat diet group had significantly reduced premenstrual breast tenderness and swelling. On physical examination, 6 of 10 women in the diet group showed reduced breast swelling, tenderness, and nodularity, compared to 2 of 9 in the control group. ## What it means for you A low-fat diet may reduce cyclical breast pain. The study was small and focused only on breast symptoms, not general PMS. We don't know if the benefit lasts longer than 6 months or applies to other menstrual cycle symptoms. 21 Women enrolled 6 of 10 Diet group improved on physical exam 2 of 9 Control group improved on physical exam ## About the study Original title Effect of a low-fat high-carbohydrate diet on symptoms of cyclical mastopathy Authors Boyd NF, McGuire V, Shannon P et al. Journal Lancet (London, England) Year 1988 Study design Randomised trial Participants 21 What was tested Low-fat diet at 15% of calories from fat with increased complex carbohydrates Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(88)90684-8](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(88)90684-8) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/) 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 Randomised trial, 2006 What herbs and dietary supplements have evidence for treating premenstrual syndrome? Systematic review, 2025 Do diet changes or supplements help PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2022 What diet, stress, and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2021 What factors affect premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls? Survey study, 2019 Does low vitamin D make premenstrual symptoms worse? Survey study, 2007 Are diet and lifestyle factors associated with premenstrual symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗