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Survey study, 2015

Do Saudi women understand PMS and would they seek medical care for it?

56% of women had PMS but only 8.9% recognized it as a medical condition. Only 11.6% would consult a doctor if they had it.

Early or limited evidence 225 Saudi women aged 13 to 50 attending family medicine clinics at one military hospital

What they did

Cross-sectional study of 225 Saudi women aged 13 to 50 attending family medicine clinics at King Khalid Military Hospital in Tabuk from October to November 2014. Women completed an Arabic questionnaire about PMS knowledge and understanding.

What they found

56% had PMS. Only 8.9% correctly recognized it as a gynecological disease. Only 30.2% knew it required medical consultation. If they had PMS: 21.3% would buy drugs from pharmacy without seeing a doctor, 11.6% would consult a physician, 21.8% would use traditional therapy, and 35.6% would do nothing. 30.2% reported family history of PMS.

What it means for you

PMS is very common in Saudi Arabia but most women do not understand it as a real medical condition. Most would not seek proper medical treatment. This was one hospital in one city and may not represent all Saudi women.

56%

had PMS

8.9%

recognized it as medical disease

11.6%

would consult a doctor

About the study

Original title
Premenstrual syndrome knowledge and attitude among women attending family medicine clinics, King Khalid Military Hospital, Tabuk city
Authors
Samar Aljohani
Journal
International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Year
2015
Study design
Survey study
Participants
225

Topics