Dear Participant
You are being invited to take part in a research project. Before you decide to participate it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask if anything is unclear or if you would like more information.
What are the aims of this project?
To investigate the association between dietary intake and lifestyle factors with the severity of premenstrual symptoms and their impact on quality of life in menstruating women aged 18 to 45, using a cross-sectional study design.
Why have I been chosen?
You have been invited to take part in this study because you meet the following inclusion and exclusion criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
1. You are a menstruating woman between the ages of 18 and 45.
2. You have had a menstrual period within the last 3 months.
3. You are not currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
4. You are not within the postpartum period (defined as 6 to 8 weeks following childbirth).
Exclusion Criteria:
1. You are perimenopausal, menopausal, or postmenopausal.
2. You are a non-English speaker.
3. You have been diagnosed with any of the following psychiatric conditions:
o Major Depressive Disorder
o Bipolar Disorder (Type I or II)
o Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
o Generalised Anxiety Disorder
o Panic Disorder
o Social Anxiety Disorder
o Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
o Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
o Borderline Personality Disorder
Do I have to take part?
Your involvement in this research project is entirely voluntary. If you do decide to take part, you will be given this information sheet to keep, and be asked to sign a consent form. The signing of the consent form is not binding, and if you so choose you are able to withdraw at any time, without reason.
What will happen to me if I take part?
If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire, including a 24-hour food diary. This should take approximately 20–30 minutes to complete. The questionnaire will include questions on the following key areas:
1. Basic socio-economic and demographic information
2. Typical food and drink consumption
3. Lifestyle habits (e.g., physical activity, smoking, alcohol use)
4. Contraceptive use
5. Menstrual history
6. Menstrual symptoms
7. Impact of menstrual symptoms on quality of life
8. A 24-hour food diary
Are there any risks or possible benefits?
There are no significant risks associated with this study or your voluntary participation.
While there may be no direct benefit to you personally, your involvement will contribute to important research in the field of women's health. Specifically, it will help expand our understanding of menstrual health and the potential associations between diet and the severity of premenstrual symptoms. This research may benefit others in the future, particularly those affected by premenstrual disorders such as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).