--- title: Which lifestyle choices affect PMS symptoms? | Niyora description: Depression was strongly linked to worse PMS symptoms, but exercise and relaxation showed no significant link. However, this was a snapshot survey that cannot url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/awareness-of-women-at-reproductive-age-towards-premenstrual-syndrome-and-its-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Which lifestyle choices affect PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2024 # Which lifestyle choices affect PMS symptoms? Depression was strongly linked to worse PMS symptoms, but exercise and relaxation showed no significant link. However, this was a snapshot survey that cannot prove depression causes PMS. Moderate study design 400 women aged 15-40 in Al Qassim region, Saudi Arabia ## What they did Researchers surveyed 400 women aged 15-40 online about lifestyle factors including physical activity, relaxation exercises, smoking, and vitamin intake, and asked about PMS symptoms. ## What they found No significant association between physical activity (p=0.489), relaxation exercises (p=0.615), or smoking (p=1) and PMS symptoms. A significant association existed between depression and PMS symptoms (p=0.004). Vitamin intake was significantly associated with more regular menstrual cycles. ## What it means for you Depression appears more important than physical activity or relaxation for PMS symptoms in this population. However, this was a snapshot survey that cannot prove these factors cause PMS. Results are from Saudi Arabia, so findings may not apply to women in other regions. 400 participants p=0.004 depression and PMS association p=0.489 physical activity and PMS ## About the study Original title Awareness of women at reproductive age towards premenstrual syndrome and its association with psychosocial and lifestyle variables in al Qassim region Authors Sultanah Aljumayi, Rasha H Almutairi, Deem Tariq Alamr et al. Journal International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 400 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.24911/ijmdc.51-1722619651](https://doi.org/10.24911/ijmdc.51-1722619651) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2023 What factors are linked to premenstrual syndrome in women workers? Survey study, 2026 Why is understanding PMS awareness in teenage girls important? Survey study, 2025 What lifestyle and body composition factors are associated with PMS in young women? Study, 2024 How does PMDD affect women's daily lives? Survey study, 2023 What percentage of women aged 20-35 have PMS symptoms and what types are most common? Survey study, 2020 How common is PMS among female university students and how does it affect their lives? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗