--- title: How common is PMS among women in urban Pakistan? | Niyora description: PMS is very common. 52% of women in this study had PMS. Physical symptoms like back pain were most prevalent, followed by mood changes. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-among-reproductive-aged-women-in-urban-pakistan-a-cross-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is PMS among women in urban Pakistan? Survey study, 2025 # How common is PMS among women in urban Pakistan? PMS is very common. 52% of women in this study had PMS. Physical symptoms like back pain were most prevalent, followed by mood changes. Moderate study design 450 women aged 18-45 in Lahore, Pakistan with regular menstrual cycles and without psychiatric or hormone disorders. ## What they did A community-based survey in Lahore, Pakistan from January to March 2024. 450 women aged 18-45 with regular menstrual cycles filled out the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool questionnaire. ## What they found 52% had PMS. The most common physical symptoms were back pain (93%), body discomfort (91.2%), and headache (88.3%). Mood symptoms were also very common: mood swings (89.5%) and irritability (71.3%). No significant associations were found with age, marital status, BMI, or contraceptive use. ## What it means for you PMS is very common in urban Pakistan, affecting about half of women. Physical pain symptoms like back pain are the main complaint, but mood changes are also very common. Unlike some other studies, PMS didn't cluster in any particular age group or marital status, suggesting it affects many different types of women. Results are specific to urban Lahore and may differ in rural areas. 450 women aged 18-45 52% with PMS 93% with back pain among those with PMS ## About the study Original title Premenstrual Syndrome Among Reproductive-Aged Women in Urban Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study Authors Sadia Shoeb, Maira, Naila et al. Journal Journal of Health Wellness and Community Research Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 450 What was tested None - survey study. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.61919/jzs48940](https://doi.org/10.61919/jzs48940) Original abstract Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a multifactorial disorder affecting women's physical and psychological health, yet its burden remains underrecognized in low- and middle-income settings, particularly within South Asian urban populations. Existing data show considerable variation in prevalence estimates, partly due to inconsistent diagnostic criteria, cultural stigma, and underreporting, underscoring the need for methodologically rigorous, locally contextualized epidemiological studies. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PMS among reproductive-aged women in an urban Pakistani community, delineate the dominant symptom patterns, and evaluate associations with demographic and reproductive variables to inform clinical and public health responses. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, from January to March 2024. A total of 450 women aged 18–45 years were recruited via multistage random sampling. Inclusion criteria encompassed regular menstrual cycles and absence of psychiatric or endocrine disorders. The Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) was used to assess symptom presence and severity. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0 with chi-square tests, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. Results: PMS was identified in 52.0% of participants. Somatic symptoms such as back pain (93.0%), body discomfort (91.2%), and headache (88.3%) were most prevalent, followed by mood swings (89.5%) and irritability (71.3%). No significant associations were found with age, marital status, BMI, or contraceptive use (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PMS is highly prevalent among urban Pakistani women, with somatic symptoms predominating. These findings highlight the need for routine screening and culturally adapted interventions in primary care to reduce the burden on women’s daily functioning and mental well-being. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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, 2025 Does digital healthcare help manage period pain and PMS? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Survey study, 2026 Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls? 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