Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of major health problems in
childbearing age women. Herein, we compared the nutritional status of vitamin D, calcium
(Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in young students affected by PMS with those of normal
participants.
Methods: This study was conducted on 62 students aged 20‒25 yr in the city of
Abadan (31 PMS cases and 31 controls). All participants completed four or more criteria
according to the Utah PMS Calendar 3. Age, height, body mass index (BMI), serum Ca, Mg and
vitamin D levels and a 24-hour food recall questionnaire were recorded.
Results: Vitamin D serum levels were lower than the normal range in the two
groups. The odds ratios (CI 95%) of having PMS based on serum Ca and Mg concentrations
were 0.81(0.67 – 0.89) and 0.86 (0.72 – 0.93), respectively. Based on serum levels, 855 of
all participants showed vitamin D deficiency and more than one-third of the PMS cases were
Mg deficient (P<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in dietary
intake of Ca and Mg, and potassium but not vitamin D in the two groups. Dietary intakes of
Ca and Mg were quite below the recommendation in all participants.
Conclusion: Vitamin D, Ca and Mg nutritional status are compromised in PMS
subjects. Because PMS is a prevalent health problem among young women, it merits more
attention regarding improvement of their health and nutritional status.