Randomised trial, 2026
Can nutrition education reduce PMS severity?
One hour of nutrition education plus follow-up support significantly reduced PMS severity and improved diet quality in women with PMS. The approach is practical and low-cost.
What they did
Researchers enrolled 83 nursing students with PMS and randomly assigned 43 to receive a 1-hour nutrition education session plus follow-up emails at 30 and 60 days, and 40 to a control group. Measures were taken at the start and 4 months later.
What they found
Women in the education group showed a clear reduction in PMS severity (a decrease of 27.5 points) compared to no change in the control group. Nutrient intake and body composition also improved in the education group, while the control group showed no significant changes.
What it means for you
Brief nutrition counseling can substantially reduce PMS severity and help with diet and body composition. This is an inexpensive, non-drug option. The main limitation is that all participants were nursing students at one university, so results may not apply to all women with PMS.
83
nursing students with PMS
27.5
point decrease in PMS score
4
months follow-up duration
About the study
- Original title
- The effect of nutrition education on premenstrual syndrome: Randomized controlled study
- Authors
- Mataracı-Değirmenci D, Erbil N
- Journal
- Nutrition and health
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 43
- What was tested
- 1-hour nutrition education session plus follow-up support emails at 30 and 60 days
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/02601060251380475
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2019
What causes severe PMS in female college students with disabilities?
Survey study, 2026
How common is PMS in Yemen and what lifestyle factors affect it?
Systematic review, 2025
How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling?
Systematic review, 2025
Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?
Non-randomised trial, 2026
Do dietary changes or sun exposure reduce PMS symptoms in adolescent girls?
Survey study, 2026
What factors most strongly drive PMS severity in female engineering students?