"Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common disorders of premenopausal women. Studies suggest that blood calcium and vitamin D levels are lower in women with PMS and that calcium supplementation may reduce symptom severity, but it is unknown whether these nutrients may prevent the initial development of PMS," E.R. Bertone-Johnson and colleagues, University of Massachusetts, wrote in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine report.

The researchers conducted "a case-control study nested within the prospective Nurses' Health Study 11 cohort."

"Participants were a subset of women aged 27 to 44 years and free from PMS at baseline in 1991, including 1,057 women who developed PMS over 10 years of follow-up and 1,968 women reporting no diagnosis of PMS and no or minimal menstrual symptoms," said scientists.

Researchers explained, "[The] intake of calcium and vitamin D was measured in 1991, 1995 and 1999 by a food frequency questionnaire."

"After adjustment for age, parity, smoking status, and other risk factors, women in the highest quintile of total vitamin D intake (median, 706 IU/d) had a relative risk of 0.59 (95% CI 0.40-0.86) compared with those in the lowest quintile (median, 112 IU/d) (p=.01 for trend).

"The intake of calcium from food sources was also inversely related to PMS compared with women with a low intake (median, 529 mg/d). Participants with the highest intake (median, 1283 mg/d) had a relative risk of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.50-0.97) (p=.02 for trend). The intake of skim or low-fat milk was also associated with a lower risk (p<.001)," wrote investigators.

"A high intake of calcium and vitamin D may reduce the risk of PMS. Large-scale clinical trials addressing this issue are warranted," according to the Bertone-Johnson and associates. "Moreover, given that calcium and vitamin D may also reduce the risk of osteoporosis and some cancers, clinicians may consider recommending these nutrients even for younger women."

Bertone-Johnson and colleagues published their study in Archives of Internal Medicine (“Calcium and Vitamin D Intake and Risk of Incident Premenstrual Syndrome.” Arch Intern Med, 2005;165(11):1246-1252).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting E.R. Bertone-Johnson, University of Massachusetts, Dept. of Public Health, 715 N Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine