Case-control study, 2010
Do women with PMDD crave high-sugar and high-fat foods more than other women?
Yes. Women with PMDD had higher cravings for sweet, fatty foods, especially during the luteal phase. This was linked to their greater sensitivity to food rewards and emotional response to food.
What they did
This case-control study compared 59 women with untreated PMDD to 60 control women without PMDD. Researchers measured food craving, emotional response to different foods, and reward sensitivity during both the luteal phase (before menstruation) and follicular phase (after menstruation).
What they found
Both PMDD and the luteal phase were linked to higher body mass index. High-sweet-fat food provoked higher craving and positive emotional response. Women with PMDD had higher reward sensitivity, emotional response, and craving for high-sweet-fat foods than control women. Reward sensitivity was associated with emotional response, which was associated with food craving.
What it means for you
Women with PMDD may have stronger food reward responses and emotional reactions to sweet, fatty foods, leading to more intense cravings. The study only included women with untreated PMDD, so results may not apply to women receiving PMDD treatment.
59
women with PMDD
60
control women
About the study
- Original title
- The high-sweet-fat food craving among women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder: emotional response, implicit attitude and rewards sensitivity
- Authors
- Yen JY, Chang SJ, Ko CH et al.
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 59
- What was tested
- Assessment of food craving, emotional response, and reward sensitivity
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.02.006
Topics
Related studies
Case-control study, 1997
Are PMDD and eating disorders related?
Case-control study, 2018
Do women with PMDD crave different foods than healthy women?
Survey study, 2023
What percentage of women aged 20-35 have PMS symptoms and what types are most common?
Survey study, 2021
Is disordered eating more common in women with PMDD?
Survey study, 2012
Do women with PMS eat more food before their period?
Survey study, 2002
How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder among women in Morocco?