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Survey study, 2009

What premenstrual symptoms do Nigerian university women have and what factors are linked to them?

About half of Nigerian university women had premenstrual symptoms at rates similar to Western countries, with breast tenderness being the most common symptom.

Moderate study design 409 female university students in Nigeria

What they did

409 female university students in Nigeria completed questionnaires about their age, menstrual history, personality traits, and premenstrual symptoms.

What they found

50.1% of women had premenstrual symptoms. The most common symptoms were breast tenderness (35.5%), sleeplessness (15.6%), decreased interest in activities (15.4%), lethargy or fatigue (13.2%), and appetite change (13.2%). Women with more symptoms tended to be older, have more severe menstrual pain, have certain personality traits like neuroticism, and have higher body mass index.

What it means for you

PMS is common in Nigerian women at rates similar to Western countries. The study was limited to university students in one country, so results may not apply to all Nigerian women or other groups.

409

women surveyed

50.1%

had premenstrual symptoms

35.5%

had breast tenderness

About the study

Original title
Pattern and correlates of premenstrual symptomatology amongst Nigerian University students
Authors
Adewuya AO, Loto OM, Adewumi TA
Journal
Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
Year
2009
Study design
Survey study
Participants
409
What was tested
None (survey)

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