Seed CyclingNCT07575698
The Effect of Seed Cycling-Based Nutritional Intervention on Premenstrual Symptoms
An observational study of Seed Cycling and Nutrition Habits, run by TC Erciyes University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate the effects of the seed-cycling intervention on premenstrual symptoms and nutritional status. At the beginning of the study, written informed consent will be obtained from all individuals who agree to participate. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Seed Cycling, Nutrition Habits, Premenstrual Syndrome-PMS
- What is being tested?
- Seed consumption
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 Mar 2026to 20 Mar 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Healthy female volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35 years
Inclusion Criteria: Individuals aged 18-35 years, with a regular menstrual cycle, a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m², who agreed to consume oilseeds for three menstrual cycles, and who are literate with no problems in Turkish communication or comprehension were included in the study.
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Exclusion Criteria: Individuals were excluded if they were pregnant, lactating, or postmenopausal; had acute, chronic, or psychiatric disorders including hormonally diagnosed conditions such as PCOS that could affect menstruation; were receiving medications affecting hormones or menstrual cycles; were taking vitamin, mineral, or nutraceutical supplements; had allergies or intolerances to flaxseed, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame; were positive for HIV or HPV infection; consumed alcohol regularly; or were following a special diet.
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Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Effect of Seed Cycling on Premenstrual Symptoms in Healthy Adults
This study aims to investigate the effects of the seed-cycling intervention on premenstrual symptoms and nutritional status. At the beginning of the study, written informed consent will be obtained from all individuals who agree to participate.
During the month prior to the intervention, participants' menstrual cycles will be monitored to determine their menstrual phases. In this period, dietary intake records and menstrual symptoms will be documented, and the estimated ovulation date will be determined based on reported symptoms.
Read more
After identifying the participants' follicular phase (approximately days 1-14) and luteal phase (approximately days 15-28), the intervention will be implemented for three consecutive months. Participants will be instructed to consume flaxseed and pumpkin seeds daily during the follicular phase, and sesame seeds and sunflower seeds daily during the luteal phase.
The oilseeds to be consumed will be provided to the participants at the beginning of each month in vacuum-sealed single-use packages.
- Conditions
- Seed Cycling, Nutrition Habits, Premenstrual Syndrome-PMS
- Being tested
- Seed consumption
- Keywords
- seed consumption, premenstrual syndrome, follicular phase, luteal phase
- Medical subject headings
- Premenstrual Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Seed consumptionDietary supplement
After identifying the participants' follicular phase (approximately days 1-14) and luteal phase (approximately days 15-28), they will consume specific seeds daily for three consecutive months. During the follicular phase, participants will consume flaxseed and pumpkin seeds per day. During the luteal phase, they will consume sesame seeds and sunflower seeds per day. The oilseeds to be consumed will be provided to the participants at the beginning of each month in vacuum-sealed, single-use packages. Participants with a compliance rate of less than 80% will be excluded from the study.
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Assessment of Premenstrual Syndrome Scale at the beginning and End of the Study
To evaluate the severity of symptoms experienced during the premenstrual period, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, a validated instrument, will be administered during the premenstrual weeks of the first and fourth months. The Premenstrual Syndrome Scale is a self-report measure developed to assess the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms experienced by women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
The scale consists of a total of 44 items and comprises nine subdimensions. Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale. Higher total scores obtained from the scale indicate greater severity of premenstrual symptoms. Subdimension scores may be calculated separately, and an overall assessment can also be conducted based on the total score.
Measured: The premenstrual weeks of the first and fourth months of the study
Secondary outcomes (2)
Assessment of Dietary Diversity Score at the Beginning and End of the Study
The Dietary Diversity Score is based on the nine food groups recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. According to the scoring system, a score of ≥6 points is classified as high dietary diversity, 4-5 points as moderate dietary diversity, and ≤3 points as low dietary diversity.
Measured: At the beginning of the first month and at the end of the fourth month of the study
Assessment of Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index at the Beginning and End of the Study
The Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) is a quantitative measure that reflects the overall impact of the major antioxidant nutrients consumed through the diet and is used to assess the total antioxidant capacity of the diet. This index is considered a reliable indicator as it represents the cumulative effect of dietary antioxidants.The Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index will be calculated based on individuals' 24-hour dietary intake records, by assessing the intake of six antioxidant nutrients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, zinc, and selenium.
Measured: At the beginning of the first month and at the end of the fourth month of the study
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 May 2026
- Study start20 Mar 2026
- Primary completion20 Mar 2026
- Study completion20 Mar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Seed CyclingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by TC Erciyes UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- TC Erciyes University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Armağan Aytuğ Yürük, TC Erciyes University
- Investigators
- ARMAĞAN AYTUĞ YÜRÜK, Principal Investigator, Principal investigator, TC Erciyes University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07575698
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/127
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 4 May 2026
- Last updated
- 8 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to participant privacy and confidentiality concerns
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Effect of Seed Cycling on Premenstrual Symptoms in Healthy Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07575698
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026/127
- Conditions
- Seed Cycling, Nutrition Habits, Premenstrual Syndrome-PMS
- Keywords
- seed consumption, premenstrual syndrome, follicular phase, luteal phase
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- TC Erciyes UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to investigate the effects of the seed-cycling intervention on premenstrual symptoms and nutritional status. At the beginning of the study, written informed consent will be obtained from all individuals who agree to participate.
During the month prior to the intervention, participants' menstrual cycles will be monitored to determine their menstrual phases. In this period, dietary intake records and menstrual symptoms will be documented, and the estimated ovulation date will be determined based on reported symptoms.
After identifying the participants' follicular phase (approximately days 1-14) and luteal phase (approximately days 15-28), the intervention will be implemented for three consecutive months. Participants will be instructed to consume flaxseed and pumpkin seeds daily during the follicular phase, and sesame seeds and sunflower seeds daily during the luteal phase.
The oilseeds to be consumed will be provided to the participants at the beginning of each month in vacuum-sealed single-use packages.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Healthy female volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35 years
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Seed consumptionAfter identifying the participants' follicular phase (approximately days 1-14) and luteal phase (approximately days 15-28), they will consume specific seeds daily for three consecutive months. During the follicular phase, participants will consume flaxseed and pumpkin seeds per day. During the luteal phase, they will consume sesame seeds and sunflower seeds per day. The oilseeds to be consumed will be provided to the participants at the beginning of each month in vacuum-sealed, single-use packages. Participants with a compliance rate of less than 80% will be excluded from the study. | Dietary supplement | – |
Primary outcome
Assessment of Premenstrual Syndrome Scale at the beginning and End of the Study
Time frame: The premenstrual weeks of the first and fourth months of the study
To evaluate the severity of symptoms experienced during the premenstrual period, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, a validated instrument, will be administered during the premenstrual weeks of the first and fourth months. The Premenstrual Syndrome Scale is a self-report measure developed to assess the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms experienced by women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The scale consists of a total of 44 items and comprises nine subdimensions. Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale. Higher total scores obtained from the scale indicate greater severity of premenstrual symptoms. Subdimension scores may be calculated separately, and an overall assessment can also be conducted based on the total score.
2 secondary outcomes
Assessment of Dietary Diversity Score at the Beginning and End of the Study
Time frame: At the beginning of the first month and at the end of the fourth month of the study
Assessment of Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index at the Beginning and End of the Study
Time frame: At the beginning of the first month and at the end of the fourth month of the study
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to participant privacy and confidentiality concerns
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
ARMAĞAN AYTUĞ YÜRÜK, Principal Investigator principal investigator
TC Erciyes University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Seed Cycling and Nutrition Habits, run by TC Erciyes University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Assessment of Premenstrual Syndrome Scale at the beginning and End of the Study (time frame: The premenstrual weeks of the first and fourth months of the study). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 May 2026.