Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of disorders that many girls and women suffer from. It is well known that an appropriate diet as well as environmental factors plays a major role in quality of life.

This study evaluates food patterns for university student girls who suffer from PMS and are healthy.

Eighty-six university student girls from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences participated in the survey and PMS was diagnosed using the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. They completed a daily symptom-rating questionnaire for PMS symptoms. The score of categorical symptoms (mood-emotional and gastrointestinal disorders, pain, fatigue-focus, and other disorders) were determined separately. Student food pattern was determined according to the Iranian food pyramid. The correlation between symptom scores and food group servings was determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient.

The score for each categorical symptom showed significant differences between healthy and students who suffered from PMS (P < 0.001). A significant negative relationship was observed between milk consumption and pain score (P = 0.038, r = -0.224), and between total dairy consumption and pain score (P = 0.019, r = -0.253). Total disorder scores showed a significant negative relationship with total dairy product (P = 0.024, r = -0.243).

The results of the survey indicate that PMS symptoms are related to consuming less milk or dairy products. Therefore, an appropriate intake of foods according to standard food patterns (like the Iranian food pyramid) is recommended.