Cohort study, 2014
Do lifestyle and nutrition affect menstrual symptoms?
Yes. Women with menstrual symptoms had different eating patterns and lifestyle factors than those without symptoms. Strong links were found between diet and the type of menstrual pattern.
What they did
108 women filled out a detailed 212-question survey about what they ate and their lifestyle. Researchers tracked their menstrual symptoms over time and compared the symptom patterns to their answers.
What they found
17% had no symptoms. 14% had core PMS, linked to eating less complex carbs, fiber, and calcium. 27% had non-cyclical symptoms, linked to stress and low magnesium and vitamin B6. 42% had premenstrual exacerbation, linked to high sugar and sodium, and low calcium, magnesium, and B6. Across all groups, severe symptoms linked to being young, being a student, smoking, stress, and heavy periods.
What it means for you
What you eat and your stress level may affect how severe menstrual symptoms are. The study only showed associations, not whether changing diet actually helps. It is one observational study, so results may differ elsewhere.
17%
had no menstrual symptoms
14%
had core PMS
42%
had premenstrual exacerbation
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and beyond: lifestyle, nutrition, and personal facts
- Authors
- Bianco V, Cestari AM, Casati D et al.
- Journal
- Minerva ginecologica
- Year
- 2014
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 108
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25020055/
Topics
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