--- title: How common is PMS in female university students in Lebanon and what factors increase the risk? description: Nearly half (46.8%) had moderate-to-severe PMS and 16.5% had PMDD. Smoking, heavy periods, skipping meals, fast food, social media, and high stress were signi url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-risk-factors-and-management-practices-of-premenstrual-syndrome-among-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is PMS in female university students in Lebanon and what factors increase the risk? Survey study, 2026 # How common is PMS in female university students in Lebanon and what factors increase the risk? Nearly half (46.8%) had moderate-to-severe PMS and 16.5% had PMDD. Smoking, heavy periods, skipping meals, fast food, social media, and high stress were significantly associated with increased risk. Most women used NSAIDs, but less than half found them very effective. Early or limited evidence 1,062 female university students at Beirut Arab University in Lebanon ## What they did Cross-sectional observational study of 1,062 female students at Beirut Arab University from April 20 to May 8, 2026. Students completed a self-administered questionnaire about sociodemographic factors, menstrual factors, lifestyle, behavior, stress, and management approaches. Researchers identified risk factors using logistic regression. ## What they found 497 students (46.8%) had moderate-to-severe PMS and 175 (16.5%) had PMDD. Most common moderate-to-severe symptoms were physical symptoms (69.7%), fatigue (68.8%), depressed mood (67.8%), and overeating or food cravings (66.2%). Academic absenteeism was reported by 37.2%. 39% used medication, mainly NSAIDs, but only 45.8% found them very effective. Higher risk was associated with smoking (AOR=1.61), heavy bleeding (AOR=1.58), skipping meals (AOR=1.38), fast food (AOR=1.34), social media addiction (AOR=1.31), and high stress (AOR=1.48). ## What it means for you PMS and PMDD are very common in this student population and significantly affect school attendance. Many risk factors are modifiable, including smoking, diet, and stress. Universities should offer screening, awareness, and support for managing PMS. However, this is one university in Lebanon, so results may not apply elsewhere. 46.8% Proportion with moderate-to-severe PMS 16.5% Proportion with PMDD 37.2% Academic absenteeism rate ## About the study Original title Prevalence, risk factors, and management practices of premenstrual syndrome among female university students in Lebanon: An observational cross-sectional study Authors Itani R, Al Rawass R, Tlayss D et al. Journal PloS one Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 1,062 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0354807](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0354807) Original abstract Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is common among women of reproductive age and may impair quality of life, academic performance, and social functioning. In Lebanon, data on PMS and its management among female university students remain limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PMS among female university students in Lebanon, identify risk factors, and recognize adopted management practices and their perceived effectiveness. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among female students at Beirut Arab University, Lebanon, between April 20 and May 8, 2026. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic, menstrual, lifestyle, behavioral, psychosocial, and management-related factors. Premenstrual symptoms, social media addiction, and perceived stress were assessed using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale-4, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with moderate-to-severe PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Results: Among 1,062 participants, 497 participants screened positive for moderate-to-severe PMS (46.8%), and 175 had symptoms consistent with PMDD based on the PSST (16.5%). The most frequently reported moderate-to-severe symptoms were physical symptoms (69.7%), fatigue or lack of energy (68.8%), depressed mood or hopelessness (67.8%), and overeating or food cravings (66.2%). Academic absenteeism was reported by 37.2%. More than one-third of the participants with moderate-to-severe PMS and PMDD (39%) reported using pharmacological management practices, mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, less than half of medication users perceived these treatments as being very effective (45.8%). Higher odds of moderate-to-severe PMS were observed among current smokers (AOR = 1.61, P = 0.003), those with heavy menstrual bleeding (AOR = 1.58, P = 0.03), high meal skipping (AOR = 1.38, P = 0.03), high fast-food consumption (AOR = 1.34, P = 0.04), higher social media addiction scores (AOR = 1.31, P < 0.001), and higher perceived stress scores (AOR = 1.48, P < 0.001). Conclusion: PMS was common among female university students in Lebanon and a considerable proportion experienced PMDD. In fact, lifestyle, behavioral, and psychosocial factors were associated with moderate-to-severe symptoms, highlighting the need for university-based awareness, screening, and counseling strategies that address modifiable risk factors and support appropriate management of premenstrual symptoms. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[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 Survey study, 2011 Does work stress and night shifts increase risk of PMS and PMDD? Review, 2023 What treatments help mental and physical health problems linked to the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD among female medical students and what triggers it? Survey study, 2018 How common is PMS in college women and how much does it affect their studies and social life? Survey study, 2025 What is the prevalence of PMS among medical students in India, and what factors are linked to it? Survey study, 2024 How common is PMDD among medical students, and is it linked to stress? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗