Does heavy use of caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco link to worse PMS symptoms?

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects the majority of women and is characterized by physical, behavioral, and mood symptoms, which can have a profound impact on quality of life. PMS symptoms have also been linked to licit substance use. This study examined the relationships between daily/problem use (DPU) of caffeine (Caf + ), alcohol (Alc + ), and tobacco (Cig + ) and PMS symptomology in a sample of college women. Methods: Participants ( N = 196) completed an anonymous one-time health survey. Demographic, PMS symptomatology, and DPU of licit substance variables were examined. Independent t -tests compared PMS symptom scores in women with and without Caf + , Cig + , and Alc + use. One-way analysis of variances examined the associations between PMS symptom severity and number of DPU-positive substances. Results: PMS subscale severity (pain [ F (2,190) = 4.47, p = 0.013], affective [ F (2,192) = 8.21, p F (2,191) = 13.37, p F (2,189) = 10.22, p < 0.001] showed a dose response effect, with the number of licit substances with DPU significantly associated with PMS symptom severity. Conclusions: This study findings provide important new information about the relationship between PMS symptoms and at-risk substance use. These are cross-sectional data, however, and affirm a need for longitudinal research to better understand the associations, with a focus on potential benefits of education and intervention.

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