--- title: What is the relationship between food cravings, vitamin A intake, and menstrual disorders? description: Women who craved high-fat and sweet foods were significantly more likely to have dysmenorrhea, PMS, and irregular menstrual cycles. Women consuming vitamin A- url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/food-craving-vitamin-a-and-menstrual-disorders-a-comprehensive-study-on-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What is the relationship between food cravings, vitamin A intake, and menstrual disorders? Survey study, 2024 # What is the relationship between food cravings, vitamin A intake, and menstrual disorders? Women who craved high-fat and sweet foods were significantly more likely to have dysmenorrhea, PMS, and irregular menstrual cycles. Women consuming vitamin A-rich foods had substantially lower rates of dysmenorrhea and irregular cycles. Early or limited evidence Female university students in Bangladesh ## What they did Cross-sectional study of female university students in Bangladesh. Data on food cravings, vitamin A intake, menstrual disorders, physical activity, and family history were collected using questionnaires. Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. ## What they found Dysmenorrhea was most prevalent (68.3%), followed by PMS (33.8%) and irregular menstrual cycle (24.3%). Food cravers for high-fat and sweet foods had higher odds of dysmenorrhea (odds ratio 2.4), PMS (odds ratio 3.9), and irregular menstrual cycle (odds ratio 3.0). Women consuming vitamin A-rich plant foods had 40% lower odds of dysmenorrhea and 60% lower odds of irregular menstrual cycle. ## What it means for you Eating more fruits and vegetables with vitamin A and avoiding high-fat and sweet foods may help prevent dysmenorrhea and irregular menstrual cycles. This is an observational study that cannot prove cause and effect. Physical activity and family history also influenced menstrual health. 68.3% Dysmenorrhea prevalence 3.9 Odds ratio for PMS in food cravers 60% Reduced irregular cycle risk with vitamin A ## About the study Original title Food craving, vitamin A, and menstrual disorders: A comprehensive study on university female students Authors Sen LC, Jahan I, Salekin N et al. Journal PloS one Year 2024 Study design Survey study What was tested Observational questionnaire study examining relationships between food cravings, vitamin A, and menstrual disorders Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310995](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310995) Original abstract Background: Menstrual disorders, influenced by dietary habits like high fat intake and low fruit and vegetable consumption, are a global public health issue. This study assessed the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irregular menstrual cycle (IMC) among female university students in Bangladesh, focusing on food cravings and low vitamin A intake as risk factors. Methods: In this comprehensive study, data from randomly selected female university students were collected using a structured questionnaire. The associations were analyzed through chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression, reported as adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Results: The most prevalent menstrual disorder was dysmenorrhea (68.3%) followed by PMS (33.8%), and IMC (24.3%). Food cravers for high-fat and sweet foods were likely to experience dysmenorrhea (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5-3.9, P<0.001), suffer from PMS (AOR: 3.9, 95% CI: 2.3-6.6, P<0.001), and have IMC (AOR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.6-5.3, P<0.001) vs. subjects who didn't. Subjects consuming vitamin A-rich plant foods had 40% (AOR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, P < 0.01) and 60% (AOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.6, P<0.001) less likely suffering from dysmenorrhea and IMC vs. who didn't. Both underweight and overweight/obese subjects experienced more than 2-fold dysmenorrhea vs. normal-weight peers. The chance of IMC was nearly 3-fold among overweight/obese subjects. However, lower physical activity was associated with PMS and IMC whereas family history was associated with dysmenorrhea and PMS. Among the socio-demographic factors, maternal education, place of residence, and earlier menarche (≤12 years) were associated with dysmenorrhea while marital status was associated with IMC. Conclusion: This study indicates that increasing the intake of vitamin A-rich plant foods and reducing high-fat, sweet foods can lower the risk of dysmenorrhea and IMC. Additionally, it highlights the need for regular exercise to mitigate the increased risk of PMS and IMC. Reproduced under CC0. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Non-randomised trial, 2026 Does video-guided digital menstrual exercise reduce PMS and period pain in adolescent girls? Survey study, 2025 Is emotional eating linked to PMS in university women? Review, 2024 Does yoga help reduce period pain and premenstrual symptoms? Cohort study, 2019 How do exercise, diet and weight affect menstrual problems? Survey study, 2016 How common are menstrual problems in teenage girls? Randomised trial, 2015 Does aerobic exercise or fennel reduce PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗