Study, 1990
Are vitamin A levels lower in women with PMS?
No, vitamin A levels were similar in women with PMS and women without PMS. The study found no vitamin A deficiency in women with PMS.
What they did
A study compared vitamin A levels in 10 women with PMS and 10 women without PMS. Blood samples were taken every 2 or 3 days over three menstrual cycles.
What they found
In women without PMS, vitamin A was 68.0 micrograms per deciliter during the luteal phase and 69.8 micrograms per deciliter during the follicular phase. In women with PMS, levels were 73.9 micrograms per deciliter during the luteal phase and 72.7 micrograms per deciliter during the follicular phase. There were no clear differences between the two groups or between cycle phases.
What it means for you
Vitamin A deficiency does not appear to be related to PMS. This does not rule out vitamin A helping for other reasons, but blood levels are not lower in women with PMS. The main limit is that the study is small.
10
women with PMS
10
women without PMS
3
menstrual cycles measured
About the study
- Original title
- Vitamin A levels in premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Chuong CJ, Dawson EB, Smith ER
- Journal
- Fertility and sterility
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 10
- What was tested
- None - observational study measuring vitamin A levels
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)53822-9