Survey study, 2019

What lifestyle and sleep habits are linked to PMS in teenage girls?

In Japanese high school students, poor sleep quality, long internet use, skipping breakfast, and not playing sports were linked to higher PMS risk, with menstrual pain being the strongest risk factor. This is observational so we cannot be sure these habits cause PMS.

Moderate study design 1022 female Japanese high school students with regular menstrual cycles

What they did

Cross-sectional survey study. One thousand twenty-two female Japanese high school students with regular menstrual cycles completed a questionnaire about lifestyle, sleep, diet, and menstrual symptoms in 2015.

What they found

Eleven point nine percent had PMS and 2.2 percent had PMDD. Risk factors for PMS were menstrual pain (odds ratio 4.74), sleep-onset problems (OR 2.22), stress fracture (OR 2.19), and internet use time (OR 1.003 per unit). Belonging to a sports club decreased PMS risk (OR 0.57). Significant differences were also found in age at menarche, eating breakfast, and chewing well.

What it means for you

Among teenagers, several modifiable factors including sleep quality, internet time, eating breakfast, and sports participation are associated with PMS. Because this is a snapshot survey, we cannot tell whether these factors actually cause PMS or just occur alongside it. Results are from Japan and may not apply to other countries or age groups.

1022

students studied

11.9%

had PMS

4.74

odds ratio for menstrual pain as risk factor

About the study

Original title: Lifestyle Factors Associated with Premenstrual Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study of Japanese High School Students
Authors: Yoshimi K, Shiina M, Takeda T
Journal: Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology
Year: 2019
Study design: Survey study
Participants: 121
What was tested: None (observational study)
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2019.09.001

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)Dysmenorrhea and period pain Low mood and depression Sleep and insomnia Pain and headache Diet and nutrition Relationships and partners Students and academic performance Adolescents and young people Athletes and sport

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