---
title: Does stress from studying medicine make PMS worse? | Niyora
description: Medical students had higher PMS scores than non-medical students (93.791 vs 88.473), suggesting stress may worsen PMS. Both groups scored above the PMS thresh
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-and-its-association-with-emotional-dysregulation-a-2019/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does stress from studying medicine make PMS worse?

Survey study, 2019

# Does stress from studying medicine make PMS worse?

Medical students had higher PMS scores than non-medical students (93.791 vs 88.473), suggesting stress may worsen PMS. Both groups scored above the PMS threshold. Without a control group, we cannot be certain stress is the cause.

 Early or limited evidence

Female medical and non-medical college students in their first three years of study

## What they did

This comparative study looked at female medical students and non-medical students over four months (July to October 2018). Both groups were assessed using a PMS score scale to compare symptoms.

## What they found

Medical students had a mean PMS score of 93.791, while non-medical students scored 88.473. Both groups scored above the PMS threshold, meaning both experience PMS. Medical students had higher prevalence than non-medical students.

## What it means for you

Academic stress from medical school may worsen PMS symptoms or make them harder to manage emotionally. However, this is a small comparison study, and we do not know if the two groups were similar in other ways that might affect PMS.

93.791

mean PMS score for medical students

88.473

mean PMS score for non-medical students

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome and its association with emotional dysregulation: a comparison between medical and non medical students Authors Suganthi Selvarajan, Hiba Ajmal Journal International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health Year 2019 Study design Survey study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20191450](https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20191450)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Mood swings and emotion regulation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-emotional-regulation/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[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

Systematic review, 2025

Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?

Survey study, 2025

Do certain nutrients and body weight affect PMS?

Review, 2023

Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2026

Can a yoga program designed for different cycle phases reduce PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2026

Does controlling personality traits help emotional regulation in women with PMS?

Survey study, 2026

What patterns of mood changes and food cravings occur during the menstrual cycle in college students?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗