--- title: How do health habits relate to PMS symptoms? | Niyora description: Better stress management and personal growth (self-actualization) were linked to fewer PMS symptoms. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/predictors-of-premenstrual-syndrome-symptoms-among-medical-students-a-cross-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How do health habits relate to PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 # How do health habits relate to PMS symptoms? Better stress management and personal growth (self-actualization) were linked to fewer PMS symptoms. Early or limited evidence 144 female medical students at a university in Iran ## What they did Researchers surveyed 144 female medical students in Iran. They measured PMS symptoms and health-promoting lifestyle components using questionnaires. They used regression analysis to identify which lifestyle factors predicted PMS symptoms. ## What they found Mean PMS symptom score was 34.55. The most common PMS symptoms were food cravings (56.9%) and sleep disturbances (49.3%). Stress management and self-actualization had the most significant effects on PMS symptoms. These two factors together explained about 16% of the variation in PMS symptoms. ## What it means for you Mental health aspects of lifestyle like stress management may help reduce PMS. This cross-sectional study at one university in Iran shows associations but cannot prove cause and effect. 144 medical students 56.9% reported food cravings 49.3% reported sleep disturbances ## About the study Original title Predictors of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating Health-Promoting Lifestyles Authors Mina Razavi-Dinani, Zahra Saboohi, Fatemeh Sheikholeslami-Kabiri et al. Journal Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology and Cancer Research Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 144 What was tested None, observational study of health-promoting lifestyle Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.30699/jogcr.10.6.459](https://doi.org/10.30699/jogcr.10.6.459) Original abstract Background & Objective: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent issue affecting females of all ages, significantly impacting their quality of life and social well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health-promoting lifestyle components and PMS symptoms among Iranian medical students.Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using cluster random sampling. The study sample consisted of a total of 144 medical students studying at a prestigious medical science university in Iran. Data were collected using a demographic and menstrual characteristics checklist, a premenstrual syndrome symptom questionnaire (PSQ), and a health promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP). Data were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model at a significance level of 0.05.Results: The mean score for PMS symptoms was 34.55 (SD = 8.64), while the mean score for healthy lifestyle was 117 (SD = 21.32). The most common PMS symptoms were food cravings (56.9%) and sleep disturbances (49.3%). According to the results of single and multiple linear regression analyses, stress management (β=-0.216, p=0.034) and self-actualization (β=-0.288, p=0.016) had the most significant effect on PSQ, explaining approximately 16% of the variance in PMS symptoms.Conclusion: Based on these findings, self-actualization and stress management were related to PMS symptoms. Improving health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, especially in the mental dimension, may also help alleviate PMS symptoms in students. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) 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, 2026 Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health? Survey study, 2025 How common are PMS and painful periods among female medical students in Saudi Arabia, and what causes them? Survey study, 2025 What affects sleep quality in nursing students? Randomised trial, 2024 Can stress inoculation training reduce anxiety, depression, and stress in students with PMS? Randomised trial, 2024 Does practicing yoga twice weekly for 8 weeks reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? Survey study, 2023 Is stress a risk factor for PMS in young women? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗