Survey study, 2023
Is low vitamin D linked to depression and irregular periods in women with premenstrual syndrome?
Yes. Among 250 women with PMS, 61.2% had vitamin D deficiency. Those with deficiency were much more likely to have depression, with 28.8% having severe depression. The link was statistically strong (P=0.001).
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 250 women aged 15-45 with PMS from a gynecology clinic in Pakistan. Researchers measured vitamin D levels and tested for depression using the Beck Depression Inventory and a PMS scale. They analyzed links between vitamin D, depression severity, menstrual symptoms, and age at first period.
What they found
61.2% of participants were vitamin D deficient and 34% had suboptimal levels. Among vitamin D-deficient women, 18.8% were borderline for clinical depression and 28.8% had severe depression. In women with period pain (dysmenorrhea), 39.6% had low vitamin D. Among women with heavy menstrual flow, 36.8% had low vitamin D. The link between vitamin D and depression was statistically significant (P=0.001).
What it means for you
Low vitamin D appears linked to depression and menstrual problems in PMS. Increasing vitamin D might help reduce depression. Main limits: cross-sectional study cannot prove low vitamin D causes depression, study was in one hospital in Pakistan, and it doesn't prove that supplements would help.
61.2%
women with vitamin D deficiency
28.8%
vitamin D-deficient women with severe depression
0.001
P-value for vitamin D and depression link
About the study
- Original title
- THE LINK BETWEEN CHOLECALCIFEROL INTAKE AND MANIFESTATIONS OF DEPRESSION AND MENSTRUAL ANOMALIES IN PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME
- Authors
- Afsheen Naeem, Kashaf Shaikh, Sarwat Batool et al.
- Journal
- Biological and Clinical Sciences Research Journal
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 250
- What was tested
- None (measured vitamin D levels)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2023i1.392
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2017
Does painful menstruation affect adolescent girls' mood, emotions, sleep, and thinking?
Survey study, 2023
How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms?
Cohort study, 2025
How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?
Survey study, 2025
Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls?
Survey study, 2023
How common are PMS, PMDD, anxiety, and depression in rural adolescent girls?
Survey study, 2014
Are depression and anxiety linked to period pain in teenage girls?