Cohort study, 1994
Do women with PMS drink more alcohol?
Yes. Women with PMS reported drinking significantly more alcohol than women without PMS, and this was true across the whole month, not just before their period.
What they did
Researchers followed 21 women with confirmed PMS and 16 comparison women over time, tracking their alcohol use.
What they found
Women with PMS reported much greater alcohol use overall compared to control women. The higher drinking was not limited to the premenstrual phase and did not correlate with premenstrual mood or food cravings.
What it means for you
Women with PMS may drink more regularly, not specifically to manage premenstrual symptoms. This is a small study and doesn't prove PMS causes higher drinking.
21
women with PMS
16
comparison women
About the study
- Original title
- Reported alcohol use in women with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Tobin MB, Schmidt PJ, Rubinow DR
- Journal
- The American journal of psychiatry
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 21
- What was tested
- Observation of alcohol use in women with and without PMS
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1176/ajp.151.10.1503
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2025
Does PMDD or PMS affect quality of life?
Systematic review, 2025
Does alcohol use affect menstrual health in teenage girls?
Systematic review, 2022
What factors increase risk of period pain and PMS symptoms?
Systematic review, 2021
Does substance use change across the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS or PMDD?
Review, 2018
Which women are most likely to experience hot flashes during menopause?
Case-control study, 2016
Does caffeine intake cause or worsen PMS?