Association Between Dietary Habits and Severity of Symptoms in Premenstrual Syndrome

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2023 Feb 11

PMID 36767083

Authors

Cinzia Quaglia

Immacolata Cristina Nettore

Giuseppe Palatucci

Fabiana Franchini

Paola Ungaro

Annamaria Colao

Paolo Emidio Macchia

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The etiopathogenesis of this condition is not fully understood, and several studies suggest a possible role of environmental factors, such as diet. The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and the occurrence and severity of PMS.

Methods And Results: Forty-seven women were enrolled in the study. Participants were asked to complete the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) to diagnose PMS and to complete a three-day food record during the perimenstrual phase. Thirty women completed the study (16 with PMS and 14 controls). An analysis of the food diaries revealed no differences between the women with PMS and the control subjects in terms of total energy intake (1649 vs. 1570 kcal/day), diet composition, and the consumption of macro- or micronutrients, except for copper, whose consumption was higher in women with PMS than in the control subjects (1.27 ± 0.51 vs. 0.94 ± 0.49 mg/d, < 0.05).

Conclusions: The data presented here are very preliminary, and only a significant difference in copper intake was found when comparing women with PMS and controls. Larger studies are needed to better define how diet may contribute to the exacerbation of the psychological and somatic symptoms associated with PMS and whether PMS itself may influence macro- or micronutrient intake by changing dietary habits.

Citing Articles

Relationships between Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Diet Composition, Dietary Patterns and Eating Behaviors.

Oboza P, Ogarek N, Wojtowicz M, Rhaiem T, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M, Kocelak P Nutrients. 2024; 16(12).

PMID: 38931266 PMC: 11206370. DOI: 10.3390/nu16121911.

Effects of a Healthy Diet on Reducing Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome and Improving Quality of Life among Omani Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Open-Label Trial.

Al Kiyumi M, Al Belushi Z, Al Amri A, Al Musharrafi R, Al Rashdi F, Jaju S Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(24).

PMID: 38131720 PMC: 10742710. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247169.

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