---
title: How common is PMS in university students and is it related to depression?
description: More than half of university students had PMS (58.1%), and there was a strong link between PMS and depression risk. Women with depression were more likely to
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-its-relationship-to-depressive-symptoms-2017/
---

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- How common is PMS in university students and is it related to depression?

Survey study, 2017

# How common is PMS in university students and is it related to depression?

More than half of university students had PMS (58.1%), and there was a strong link between PMS and depression risk. Women with depression were more likely to have PMS symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

618 first-year university students in Turkey

## What they did

Researchers surveyed 618 first-year university students from March to June 2016 in Turkey, asking about PMS symptoms, depression, lifestyle habits like smoking and diet, and economic situation.

## What they found

58.1% had PMS. PMS was more common in students who smoked, drank alcohol, ate lots of fatty and high-calorie foods, had poor economic situation, or had chronic disease or anemia. There was a strong relationship between depression risk and all PMS symptoms except appetite changes.

## What it means for you

PMS is common in young women and linked to depression. Lifestyle factors like smoking and diet may also be involved. However, this is from one university in Turkey and may not apply to other places or older women.

58.1%

had PMS

618

total participants

p < 0.01

depression link significance

## About the study

Original title Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its relationship to depressive symptoms in first-year university students Authors Acikgoz A, Dayi A, Binbay T Journal Saudi medical journal Year 2017 Study design Survey study Participants 618 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.15537/smj.2017.11.20526](https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2017.11.20526)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[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.

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