Survey study, 2021
Does iron status affect the risk of PMS symptoms?
Women with genes suggesting high iron were less likely to experience some PMS symptoms like headaches, confusion, and nausea. No link was found between genes for low iron and PMS symptoms.
What they did
Researchers studied 254 young White women and examined their genes related to iron metabolism. They tested four genes related to iron status and checked whether women with genes for high iron or low iron had more or fewer PMS symptoms.
What they found
Women with genes for high iron were less likely to have headaches, confusion, and nausea during their menstrual cycle. No clear connection appeared between genes for low iron and any PMS symptoms.
What it means for you
Iron status may influence certain PMS symptoms, especially headaches and nausea. The main limit is that this is a genetic study in young White women only, so findings may not apply to other groups. It does not show whether taking iron supplements would actually help.
254
women studied
3
symptoms less common in high iron group
4
genes examined
About the study
- Original title
- Genetics of Iron Metabolism and Premenstrual Symptoms: A Mendelian Randomization Study
- Authors
- Zeitoun T, Dehghan Noudeh N, Garcia-Bailo B et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of nutrition
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 254
- What was tested
- None (genetic analysis only)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab048
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2025
Do nutritional interventions help with emotional symptoms of PMS?
Systematic review, 2025
Does digital healthcare help manage period pain and PMS?
Survey study, 2026
Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls?
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Survey study, 2025
Can a smartphone app help diagnose and monitor PMS?
Survey study, 2025
How do employed women seek relief for premenstrual and menstrual symptoms at work?