--- title: Does nutrient intake and appetite change during the menstrual cycle relate to PMS symptoms? description: Women who eat more carbohydrates, protein, fat, and saturated fat have worse PMS symptoms including anxiety, irritability, depression, pain, fatigue, and slee url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/relationship-between-menstruation-period-nutrients-intake-and-appetite-with-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does nutrient intake and appetite change during the menstrual cycle relate to PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2024 # Does nutrient intake and appetite change during the menstrual cycle relate to PMS symptoms? Women who eat more carbohydrates, protein, fat, and saturated fat have worse PMS symptoms including anxiety, irritability, depression, pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. Higher appetite also correlates with worse mood and fatigue. Early or limited evidence 410 women aged 18-40 attending a nutrition clinic in Turkey ## What they did 410 women aged 18-40 at a hospital nutrition clinic recorded everything they ate for 3 days, completed an appetite questionnaire, and filled out a PMS symptom scale. ## What they found As intake of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and saturated fat increased, PMS symptoms worsened significantly including anxiety, irritability, depressive feelings, pain, fatigue, appetite changes, and sleep problems (p less than 0.01). As appetite scores increased, depression, fatigue, sleep changes, bloating, and appetite changes also increased (p less than 0.05). ## What it means for you Eating patterns and appetite change around menstruation, and higher nutrient intake links to worse PMS symptoms. It is unclear whether eating more causes worse symptoms or if symptoms make women eat more. The study was from one hospital clinic in Turkey. 410 women studied p less than 0.01 strength of macronutrient correlation with PMS p less than 0.05 strength of appetite correlation with PMS ## About the study Original title Relationship between menstruation period, nutrients intake and appetite with premenstrual syndrome Authors Nur Çengel, Müge Arslan Journal Journal of Human Sciences Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 410 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v21i2.6459](https://doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v21i2.6459) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2026 How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle? Study, 2022 Does having COVID-19 affect premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Survey study, 2019 What are the best ways to manage PMS? Survey study, 2017 Are PMS symptoms linked to mood disorders and personality? Case-control study, 1989 Does eating carbohydrates help depression during the late luteal phase in women with severe PMS? Review, 1997 Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗