--- title: Does PMS affect quality of life in university students? | Niyora description: Yes. Both mild PMS and PMDD significantly reduce quality of life compared to no PMS across physical, mental, social, and environmental domains. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/quality-of-life-among-university-students-with-premenstrual-syndrome-2019/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does PMS affect quality of life in university students? Survey study, 2019 # Does PMS affect quality of life in university students? Yes. Both mild PMS and PMDD significantly reduce quality of life compared to no PMS across physical, mental, social, and environmental domains. Early or limited evidence 642 university students in health courses in Brazil ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 642 university students in Brazil from August 2016 to July 2017. Researchers assessed PMS using American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria and measured quality of life across four domains using WHO WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire. ## What they found Of 642 students, 49.9% had PMS, 23.3% had mild PMS, and 26.6% had PMDD. Most were aged 18-24, had regular menstrual cycles, and exercised regularly. Significant quality of life differences appeared between women without PMS and those with mild PMS or PMDD in physical and mental domains (p < 0.001) and environmental domains (p = 0.009). ## What it means for you PMS and PMDD are common in university students and reduce quality of life across multiple areas. The study only included health course students in Brazil, so results may not apply to students in other fields or countries. 49.9% Overall PMS prevalence 26.6% PMDD prevalence 23.3% Mild PMS prevalence ## About the study Original title Quality of Life among University Students with Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Victor FF, Souza AI, Barreiros CDT et al. Journal Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia Year 2019 Study design Survey study Participants 642 What was tested None; observational study of PMS and quality of life Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1688709](https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1688709) Original abstract Objective: To evaluate the quality of life among university students with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, in Recife, Brazil, between August 2016 and July 2017. Sociodemographic, gynecological, and lifestyle variables, and PMS occurrence, were investigated among 642 students. The short form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL Bref) questionnaire was used to evaluate four domains of the quality of life of the students: physical, mental, social relationships, and environmental. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' criteria were used to define PMS. Results: Of the 642 students, 49.9% had PMS, 23.3% had mild PMS and 26.6% had premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Most of the students were between 18 and 24 years old, had regular menstrual cycles, and practiced physical activity. Regarding the physical and mental domains of the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire, a statistically significant difference was observed between the students who did not have and those who had mild or PMDD ( p p = 0.001) and environmental domains ( p = 0.009). Conclusion: Mild PMS and PMDD are prevalent among university students on health-related courses, and the syndrome can affect the students' self-assessment of all the domains of quality of life. 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/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[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 Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Cohort study, 2026 Is genetic predisposition to immune cell changes linked to premenstrual disorders and their severity? Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD among college women and what increases the risk? Review, 2026 How much do PMS and menstrual disorders affect women's work, school, and quality of life? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗