--- title: How common is PMS in women with phenylketonuria, and does blood phenylalanine level predict symptoms? description: 39.1% of women with PKU experience PMS, with fatigue (55.4%), appetite changes (59.4%), and irritability (52.7%) being the most common symptoms. Blood phenyla url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-relationship-between-menstrual-cycle-characteristics-premenstrual-syndrome-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is PMS in women with phenylketonuria, and does blood phenylalanine level predict symptoms? Survey study, 2024 # How common is PMS in women with phenylketonuria, and does blood phenylalanine level predict symptoms? 39.1% of women with PKU experience PMS, with fatigue (55.4%), appetite changes (59.4%), and irritability (52.7%) being the most common symptoms. Blood phenylalanine levels did not predict who has PMS symptoms. Early or limited evidence 74 women with phenylketonuria, average age 21.7 years ## What they did 74 women with PKU (average age 21.7 years) were assessed for their menstrual cycle characteristics and PMS symptoms. Blood phenylalanine levels were measured and checked for correlation with PMS. ## What they found PMS was present in 39.1% of women with PKU. Most (82.4%) had regular cycles lasting 4-5 days in 47.2% of women. Painful periods occurred in 71.6%. PMS symptoms included 55.4% fatigue, 59.4% appetite changes, 52.7% irritability and depressive feelings, 43.2% swelling, 39.1% pain, 28.3% sleep changes and depressive thoughts, and 16.2% anxiety. Blood phenylalanine levels showed no significant relationship with PMS symptoms (p greater than 0.05). ## What it means for you More than one-third of women with PKU experience PMS with common symptoms including fatigue and appetite changes. How well their PKU is metabolically controlled (blood phenylalanine) does not predict whether they have PMS, suggesting other factors drive PMS in this group. This studies only women with a rare genetic condition. 39.1% women with PKU who have PMS 55.4% report fatigue 59.4% report appetite changes ## About the study Original title The relationship between menstrual cycle characteristics, premenstrual syndrome prevalence and blood phenylalanine level in women with PKU Authors Selamioğlu A, Tandoğan Z, Balcı MC et al. Journal Molecular genetics and metabolism reports Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 74 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ymgmr.2024.101154](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymgmr.2024.101154) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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, 2014 Are depression and anxiety linked to period pain in teenage girls? Survey study, 2024 What factors are linked to PMDD in female university students? 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, 2024 Does poor sleep and period problems affect teen mental health? Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS, PMDD, anxiety, and depression in rural adolescent girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗