How common is PMS among female medical students, and how severe are the symptoms?

Introduction Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent yet underrecognized gynecological condition among women of reproductive age. It is characterized by physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Among medical students, who often experience substantial academic and emotional stress, these symptoms can significantly affect their well-being, academic performance, and daily functioning. Objective The primary objective was to estimate the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among female medical students. The secondary objectives were to assess the severity of PMS symptoms and to examine the timing of affective and somatic symptoms in relation to the menstrual cycle. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among 190 medical students in a South Indian medical college. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews using the premenstrual syndrome questionnaire, which covers demographic details and premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Analysis was done using IBM Corp. Released 2014. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Descriptive statistics were represented in numbers and percentages. Results The overall prevalence of PMS was 135 (71.1%). Affective symptoms such as irritability was 181 (95.3%), mood swings was 176 (92.6%), sadness was 155 (81.6%), and anxiety was 123 (64.7%) were highly prevalent, while somatic symptoms including fatigue 172 was (90.5%), backache was 156 (82.1%), acne was 146 (76.8%), abdominal bloating was 140 (73.7%), and headache was 113 (59.5%) were also frequently reported. Among those experiencing symptoms, the majority, 124 (65.3%), had moderate severity, while 32 (16.8%) had severe symptoms and 34 (17.9%) had mild symptoms. Severe symptoms were most pronounced for abdominal cramps, 83 (43.7%); mood swings, 62 (32.6%); and irritability, 60 (31.6%). Most symptoms were present during the premenstrual phase, with only a few persisting beyond menstruation. Conclusion PMS is widespread among young adult women in academic settings, with a substantial burden of emotional and somatic symptoms. These symptoms can impact both personal well-being and academic performance. Improving awareness, incorporating menstrual health education, and ensuring access to timely medical and psychological support could help students cope better and improve both health and academic outcomes.

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