Case-control study, 1995
Do women with PMS have weaker bones due to calcium deficiency?
Yes. Women with PMS have lower bone density in the spine and hip compared to women without PMS, and they also have lower vitamin D levels.
What they did
Comparison study of women with PMS and asymptomatic controls matched for age, race, body weight, and physical activity. Bone density was measured at the spine and hip using dual-photon absorptiometry. Hormone levels related to calcium were measured during the luteal phase.
What they found
Women with PMS had significantly lower bone density at the spine (1.18 versus 1.28 g/cm2) and in Ward's triangle at the hip (0.84 versus 0.91 g/cm2). They also had lower vitamin D levels (19.5 versus 25.3 ng/mL). There were no differences in other hormones or dietary calcium intake between groups.
What it means for you
Women with PMS may have weaker bones and lower vitamin D, which could affect long-term bone health. However, the study found no difference in how much calcium women eat, so the cause is still unknown. This is a relatively small comparison study.
1.18 vs 1.28
spine bone density g/cm2 (PMS vs controls)
0.84 vs 0.91
hip bone density g/cm2 (PMS vs controls)
19.5 vs 25.3
vitamin D ng/mL (PMS vs controls)
About the study
- Original title
- Reduced Bone Mass in Women With Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Susan Thys‐Jacobs, Marsha Silverton, José Alvir et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Women s Health
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- None - this was a comparison of existing groups
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/jwh.1995.4.161
Topics
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