Survey study, 2025
How common are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Saudi Arabia?
Nearly two-thirds of Saudi women surveyed had clinically significant PMS and 12.2% had the more severe PMDD, with mood problems being the most common symptoms.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 623 Saudi women recruited through social media. Women answered questions about menstrual history and PMS symptoms using standardized screening tools.
What they found
63.6% had clinically significant PMS, 21.8% had mild PMS, 12.2% had PMDD, and 2.4% had no PMS. Most symptoms were moderate to severe. Mood symptoms dominated, including mood swings, feeling tearful, irritability, low self-identity, and depressed mood. Emotional and physical symptoms were more severe in PMDD than in milder PMS groups. Differences related to menstrual flow duration and pad use, but not to personal characteristics.
What it means for you
PMS is very common in Saudi Arabia and primarily affects mood. The moderate-to-severe form is most typical. This was a convenience sample through social media so may not represent all Saudi women, but shows PMS significantly impacts women's productivity.
63.6%
had clinically significant PMS
12.2%
had PMDD
623
women surveyed
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Symptoms severity, functional impairment, and associated factors: A Saudi cross-sectional study
- Authors
- Sayed SH, Al-Mohaithef M, Ibrahim EM et al.
- Journal
- Journal of education and health promotion
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 623
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_708_24
Topics
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