Confirmation of the link between coffee drinking and PMS comes from a study published in the American Journal of Public Health (75#11:1335). Drinking coffee aggravates the symptoms to such an extent that a woman for whom PMS is a problem should be very careful about her intake, especially just before the onset of her period.
The symptoms of this troublesome but not dangerous condition include tiredness, irritability, anxiety, depression, headaches, tender and swollen breasts, constipation, acne, and a craving for salty or sweet food. Many women also have backache, swelling of the abdomen, fingers and ankles, and a decreased tolerance for alcohol.
One or more of these symptoms occur with every menstrual cycle for a few days before the flow and then cease. Though more study is needed, and coffee is certainly not the only offender, women who are bothered by PMS to could try to reduce their coffee drinking during this time of the month.
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