Systematic review, 2018
Does drinking alcohol increase the risk of premenstrual syndrome?
Yes. Any alcohol drinking was linked to a 45 percent increased risk of PMS, and heavy drinking was linked to a 79 percent increased risk.
What they did
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 eligible studies (from 39 identified) examining alcohol consumption and PMS risk, including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, searching databases through May 2017.
What they found
Any alcohol intake was associated with increased PMS risk (odds ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 1.79). Heavy drinking showed larger increased risk (odds ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.39 to 2.32).
What it means for you
Women who drink alcohol appear to have higher PMS risk, with heavier drinkers at greater risk. The link is consistent across studies. However, these are observational studies and cannot prove alcohol causes PMS. Future studies should determine if a safe alcohol level exists.
19
studies of 39 identified
1.45
odds ratio for any alcohol
1.79
odds ratio for heavy drinking
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and alcohol consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors
- Fernández MDM, Saulyte J, Inskip HM et al.
- Journal
- BMJ open
- Year
- 2018
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Alcohol consumption (observational studies)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019490
Topics
Related studies
Case-control study, 2016
Does caffeine intake cause or worsen PMS?
Cohort study, 2026
Are diet and lifestyle linked to premenstrual symptoms in college students?
Study, 2024
How do lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and stress affect menstrual health and PMS?
Survey study, 2022
What diet, stress, and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS symptoms?
Survey study, 2020
Is period pain common in Polish women and what causes it?
Survey study, 2019
What diet and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS in university students?