Cohort study, 2019
Does low vitamin D raise the risk of PMS?
No, this study found no clear link between vitamin D levels and having PMS overall, though low vitamin D was linked to two specific symptoms, breast tenderness and general aches.
What they did
Researchers studied vitamin D levels and PMS symptoms in two groups of healthy women with regular periods: 76 women followed for up to 2 menstrual cycles, and 1191 women followed for symptoms over the past year. Vitamin D was measured from a blood sample, and PMS was assessed with a questionnaire covering 14 physical and psychological symptoms.
What they found
About 54% and 47% of women had enough vitamin D in the two groups, and 33% and 40% had PMS. Vitamin D levels were not linked to overall risk of PMS in either group. However, women with low vitamin D had a higher risk of breast fullness or tenderness and of general aches and pains compared to women with enough vitamin D. No links were found between vitamin D and psychological symptoms.
What it means for you
Having low vitamin D does not seem to raise the overall risk of PMS in women with regular cycles, though it may play a role in specific physical symptoms like breast tenderness and body aches. More research is needed, especially in women with irregular cycles.
1191
Women in larger cohort
33% and 40%
Women with PMS in the two cohorts
54% and 47%
Women with sufficient vitamin D in the two cohorts
About the study
- Original title
- Vitamin D and Premenstrual Syndrome in Healthy Women with Regular Cycles (P18-056-19)
- Authors
- Alkhalaf Z, Kim K, Purdue-Smithe A et al.
- Journal
- Current developments in nutrition
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 1,191
- What was tested
- None tested; vitamin D blood levels were measured and compared to PMS symptoms
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzz039.p18-056-19
Topics
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