Survey study, 2026
What premenstrual symptoms are most common, and what factors predict worse symptoms?
Emotional and functional symptoms like mood swings and loss of interest were most common. Older age, lower family income, lower parental education, and starting periods at a younger age were linked to more severe symptoms.
What they did
Asked 400 female high school and university students in Saudi Arabia about premenstrual symptoms using a 9-question validated scale. Also collected information about their age, education level, family background, smoking status, and height.
What they found
The most noticeable symptoms were emotional and functional, especially mood swings, loss of interest, and effects on daily life. Students with more symptoms tended to be older. Starting periods at a younger age was linked to more severe symptoms later. Students whose parents had more education and higher family income had fewer symptoms. Age, mother's education, family income, smoking status, and height together predicted about 16.4% of the differences in symptom severity.
What it means for you
Emotional symptoms and loss of interest are very common premenstrual experiences in this student population. Socioeconomic factors like family income and parental education appear linked to symptom severity, possibly through effects on stress, nutrition, or healthcare access. This study was done in one city in Saudi Arabia, so results may not apply to other regions.
400
Students surveyed
96.5%
Were university students
16.4%
Variation explained by predictive factors
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual Symptoms in High School and University Students in Taif City, Saudi Arabia
- Authors
- Hani Matrok Alotaibi, Rami Abdullah Al Otaibi, Alaa Ahmed Almasabi et al.
- Journal
- International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 400
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.25258/ijddt.16.61s.67
Topics
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