Effect of a nutritional programme on premenstrual syndrome and work efficiency

Author(s): TOOLEY, S., PATERSON-JONES, S., TOOKE, S., STEWART, M.

Abstract: A double-blind trial of a nutritional programme on the severity of premenstrual symptoms and work efficiency was conducted in two groups of women. They each were advised to eat a low fat nutritious diet and one received a strong multivitamin and mineral supplement, Optivite, and the other placebo for three menstrual cycles. Substantial reductions in premenstrual symptoms scores (p = 0.001) and number of work days affected per cycle (p < 0.001) were recorded in both groups. There were, however, no significant differences in the degrees of improvement between the two groups suggesting that the majority of the perceived benefit was due to participation in the trial or to dietary change.Various difficulties in conducting this trial in the workplace were experienced which may explain the poor compliance rates. The reasons for this are discussed.

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