Cohort study, 2008
How common is PMS in medical students and how much does it affect their quality of life?
51% of medical students had PMS, with 5.8% having severe PMDD. PMS significantly impaired their mental and physical quality of life and academic performance.
What they did
A study of 172 unmarried medical students aged 18-25 years with regular periods conducted from August to December 2006. PMS was assessed using daily symptom records over two cycles. Quality of life was measured using a standard health questionnaire.
What they found
89 women (51%) met criteria for PMS: 53 (59.5%) had mild PMS, 26 (29.2%) had moderate, and 10 (11.2%) had severe. 10 women (5.8%) had PMDD. The most common symptoms were anger, irritability, anxiety, tiredness, and difficulty concentrating. Having dysmenorrhea and a family history of PMS increased the risk. Quality of life scores for mental and physical health were significantly lower in women with PMS.
What it means for you
PMS is very common in young women and significantly impacts their mental health, physical health, and ability to study. Schools and clinics should screen for and manage PMS in young women. Limitation: Pakistan-only study in medical students, observational design, may not represent all young women.
51%
Medical students meeting PMS criteria
5.8%
Students with PMDD
172
Total participants
About the study
- Original title
- Frequency, intensity and impact of premenstrual syndrome in medical students
- Authors
- Nisar N, Zehra N, Haider G et al.
- Journal
- Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 172
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/08.2008/jcpsp.48148484
Topics
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