--- title: How do menstrual and premenstrual symptoms affect female military cadets? description: Almost all cadets' menstrual cycles changed during their first year. Many reported symptoms interfered with physical activities. Many also struggled to access url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-and-premenstrual-issues-in-female-military-cadets-a-unique-population-1999/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How do menstrual and premenstrual symptoms affect female military cadets? Survey study, 1999 # How do menstrual and premenstrual symptoms affect female military cadets? Almost all cadets' menstrual cycles changed during their first year. Many reported symptoms interfered with physical activities. Many also struggled to access, change, and dispose of menstrual products. Early or limited evidence 83 freshman female cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point ## What they did 158 freshman female cadets at West Point were surveyed in July 1991 about their menstruation and premenstrual symptoms before entering. In May 1992, 83 cadets completed a follow-up survey about cycle changes, symptom interference, and problems managing menstrual products. ## What they found 91% reported changes in menstruation during the year, most commonly becoming less regular, less frequent, shorter, lighter, and less crampy. Menstrual and premenstrual symptoms interfered with physical activities (66% and 61%) more than academic (51% and 46%) or military activities (40% and 47%). 63% struggled changing products, 52% obtaining them, 39% disposing. ## What it means for you Female cadets experience major cycle changes during the physical and mental stress of their first year. Symptoms significantly affect physical training. Access to menstrual products is a practical problem in military settings. The main limit is lack of comparison to similar women outside the military. 83 cadets with follow-up survey 91% with cycle changes during year 66% with menstrual symptom interference in physical activities ## About the study Original title Menstrual and premenstrual issues in female military cadets: a unique population with significant concerns Authors Schneider MB, Fisher M, Friedman SB et al. Journal Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology Year 1999 Study design Survey study Participants 83 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s1083-3188(99)00025-x](https://doi.org/10.1016/s1083-3188(99)00025-x) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Systematic review, 2024 How common is premenstrual syndrome in Africa, and what factors increase the risk? Systematic review, 2020 How common is PMS among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia? Non-randomised trial, 2026 Does video-guided digital menstrual exercise reduce PMS and period pain in adolescent girls? Survey study, 2025 What do adolescent girls in Pakistan know and think about PMS? Interview study, 2024 How do young women use period tracker apps to manage their menstrual cycles? Cohort study, 2023 Do girls with intellectual disability have worse menstrual quality of life? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗