Evaluation of premenstrual syndrome and its relationship with changes in food consumption during the luteal phase in a university center in northwest paulista: a prospective observational cross-sectional study

Introduction: The menstrual cycle is a natural phenomenon that occurs in two phases: follicular and luteal. Several hormonal, physical and psychological changes occur during this period, which influence the female diet. These changes and consequences are felt mainly in the luteal phase, that is between 1 to 5 days before the menstrual flow, characterizing the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual tension (PMS). Objective: This article aims to evaluate food intake and dietary changes in adult women of reproductive age during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Quali-quantitative descriptive exploratory study, carried out with 207 female students, between 18 and 41 years of age, from all courses at a University Center in northwestern São Paulo. An online questionnaire was applied via Google Forms with closed and open questions that characterized the sample regarding the participants' personal and dietary aspects in the luteal phase. The work complied with Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council and was approved by the Ethics Committee and all participants signed the Informed Consent Term. Results: It was observed that there was a predominance of women aged between 19 and 22 years (64.25%). With regard to physical symptoms in the luteal phase, 95.65% of women reported having at least one symptom, such as swollen and/or painful breasts (67.7%) and colic (55.1%). Regarding the intensity of food craving, 5.3% of the women reported no changes, 10.6% had low intensity (mild), 50.7% had moderate intensity, 27.5% had high intensity (high) and 5, 8% very high intensity (severe). According to the change in dietary pattern, among the foods presented, 85% of the participants claimed to have a higher consumption of sugars and sweets during this period and 38.6% higher consumption of carbohydrates, representing most of the responses collected. It was found that food cravings among the participants occurred with high frequency in 91.78% of the cases, with emphasis on the high craving for sweets (87%) and fast food (33.8%). The increase in food consumption in the luteal phase was significant, as it was present in 70.5% of women. Conclusion: The luteal phase interferes with the pattern and intensity of food craving, as well as with the increased intake of macronutrients, especially carbohydrates, sugars and sweets.