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Survey study, 2025

Does what women eat affect how severe their PMS is?

The study suggests that specific nutrients may influence PMS severity, but the abstract does not specify which nutrients or how strong the effect is.

Early or limited evidence 252 women with PMS referred to healthcare centers in Qazvin province, Iran.

What they did

Cross-sectional study of 252 women with PMS in Iran. Researchers collected information about their diet using a 3-day food diary, eating behaviors using a questionnaire, and PMS severity using a standard screening tool.

What they found

The study found associations between diet and PMS severity and mentioned potential non-pharmacological dietary options for relief, but specific nutrients and detailed findings are not provided in the abstract.

What it means for you

Diet likely matters for PMS, but this abstract does not tell you which foods or nutrients to focus on. More information is needed. The study was cross-sectional (one moment in time) and from one area of Iran, so results may not apply broadly.

252

women with PMS studied

About the study

Original title
Relationship between dietary intake, eating attitudes, and premenstrual syndrome severity among Iranian women: insights from a cross-sectional study
Authors
Mighani S, Shivyari FT, Razzaghi A et al.
Journal
Journal of eating disorders
Year
2025
Study design
Survey study
Participants
252
What was tested
None. Observational study measuring dietary intake and eating behaviors.
Open access
Yes
Original abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common issue that impacts many women, and a well-balanced diet can help alleviate PMS symptoms. Evidence suggests that dietary factors and eating disorders may influence PMS severity, yet the specific relationships remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association of specific dietary components and eating behaviors with PMS symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 252 women with PMS who were referred to healthcare centers in Qazvin province. Data concerning PMS, dietary factors, and eating disorders were collected using online questionnaires, including the premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST), 3-day dietary recall, and Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) questionnaires. Statistical analysis utilized ANOVA and chi-square tests. The adequacy of the sample was evaluated using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test. To examine the relationship between eating disorders, dietary factors, and PMS symptoms, multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted. Statistical significance was set at p 0.05). Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential influence of specific nutrients on PMS severity. This insight could inform dietary recommendations for managing PMS symptoms, providing young women with potential non-pharmacological options to relieve discomfort.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

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