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Survey study, 2012

Do women with PMS eat more food before their period?

Yes. Women with PMS ate significantly more energy and carbohydrates during the luteal phase (before their period) compared to other times.

Early or limited evidence 92 female nutrition students in Tehran, Iran

What they did

Tracked eating patterns in 92 female nutrition students across different phases of their menstrual cycle and compared women with and without PMS symptoms.

What they found

58.7% of women had PMS. In women with PMS, energy and carbohydrate intake was significantly higher during the luteal phase (before menstruation) compared to the follicular phase (after menstruation). Women without PMS showed no difference in eating between these phases.

What it means for you

Women with PMS eat more before their period. It is unclear if this is a symptom of PMS, a way the body copes, or something else. The study included only nutrition students in Iran.

92

women in the study

58.7%

had PMS symptoms

About the study

Original title
Influence of premenstrual syndrome on energy and nutrient intake
Authors
Shaghayegh Tabarroki, Zahra Kargarnovin, Zohreh Amiri et al.
Journal
Advances in nursing and midwifery
Year
2012
Study design
Survey study
Participants
92
Open access
Yes

Topics