Survey study, 2018
How common is PMS and does blood pressure change during the menstrual cycle?
PMS is very common: 89% of these university students experienced at least one PMS symptom per cycle. Blood pressure was significantly higher during the luteal phase than the follicular phase.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 370 female university students in Nigeria who reported on the severity of 23 PMS symptoms and had blood pressure measured during their follicular and luteal phases.
What they found
About 89% reported at least one symptom each cycle. The five most common symptoms were backache, wish to be alone, joint or muscle pain, fatigue, and thigh pain. Mean arterial blood pressure, systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure were all significantly higher (P < 0.001) during the luteal phase than the follicular phase. Pulse rate was significantly higher during the follicular phase. The 23 symptoms grouped into four clusters: affective, physical, somatic, and gastrointestinal/physical symptoms.
What it means for you
PMS is very common in this student population and affects blood pressure. However, this study only included students in Nigeria, so findings may not apply to women in other countries or older age groups. All information was self-reported, which can be inaccurate.
370
Female students
89%
Had at least one PMS symptom
P < 0.001
Blood pressure higher in luteal phase
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome and Changes in Blood Pressure with Menstrual Cycle Among University Students
- Authors
- Danborno AM, Nwankwo M, Kure J et al.
- Journal
- Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria
- Year
- 2018
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 370
- What was tested
- None; researchers measured existing PMS symptoms and blood pressure across cycle phases
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30837763/
Topics
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