The purpose of this study was to differentiate between women with three perimenstrual symptom severity patterns : premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual magnification (PMM), and low symptom (LS), and to explore the related dietary factors to premenstrual symptoms.

Women were asked to keep a diary record of perimenstrual symptoms and food intake for 50 days.

Symptom patterns were defined for 26 among 38 women ; Eight (21.1%) demonstrated a PMS pattern, three (7.9%) demonstrated a PMM pattern, and fifteen (39.5%) exhibited a LS pattern. There were significant differences in symptom scores during the premenstrual phase (χ²=19.30, p=.000), menstrual phase (χ²=13.32, p=.001), and post menstrual phase (χ²=9.93, p=.007) for three groups. Protein, vit E, vit C, niacin, folic acid, and phosphorus in the premenstrual phase, and energy, and vit B6 in the menstrual period were significantly different between the three groups. Among dietary compositions, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, natrium, vit B6, niacin, and vit E were negatively related to PMS symptoms.

Pattern of perimenstrual symptoms should be differentiated for individualized PMS management. As a more efficient diet assessment for PMS women, randomized nutritional analysis during the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle should be done and a replication study is necessary with a larger sample.