Case-control study, 1995
Do women with PMS drink differently during their menstrual cycle?
Women with PMS drank significantly less fluid than women without PMS at all cycle phases, though neither group changed their drinking across cycle phases. The reduced intake appeared to be subconscious.
What they did
A case-control study measuring fluid intake at 3 phases of the menstrual cycle in 20 women with prospectively validated PMS and 8 women without PMS symptoms.
What they found
There was no cycle-related change in fluid intake in either group. However, fluid intake was significantly lower in women with PMS than in controls at all phases of the menstrual cycle. All but one subject denied voluntary fluid restriction, suggesting the mechanism is subconscious and may relate to perceived increased fluid retention.
What it means for you
Women with PMS consistently drink less fluid than those without PMS, but not due to deliberate restriction. This subconscious behavior may be related to feeling bloated or retaining fluid. The main limitation is the very small sample size, making results less reliable.
20
Women with PMS
8
Women without PMS symptoms
3
Menstrual cycle phases measured
About the study
- Original title
- Fluid intake in women with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Marean M, Cumming CE, Fox EE et al.
- Journal
- Women & health
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 8
- What was tested
- Measurement of fluid intake
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1300/j013v23n03_05