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Survey study, 1985

Do women with PMS eat more food before their period?

Yes. Women with more severe PMS symptoms ate significantly more calories in the 10 days before their period.

Early or limited evidence 20 young adult women

What they did

Researchers measured how much 20 young women ate during the 10 days before and after their period.

What they found

Women with more severe symptoms had a greater increase in calorie intake before their period. The increase in eating also rose with age.

What it means for you

This small study suggests a real link between PMS and increased appetite, though the researchers could only guess at the cause (higher endorphin levels). The sample is very small and mostly young adults, so results may not apply to other groups.

20

women studied

10 days

tracking period before and after

About the study

Original title
Hyperphagia in premenstrual tension syndrome
Authors
Giannini AJ, Price WA, Loiselle RH et al.
Journal
The Journal of clinical psychiatry
Year
1985
Study design
Survey study
Participants
20
What was tested
None

Topics