Survey study, 2013
How do lifestyle and attitudes about periods affect PMS severity?
Negative attitudes about menstruation and problematic alcohol use are linked to worse PMS, and painful periods (dysmenorrhea) are most strongly linked to worse PMS. These are associations, not proof of cause and effect.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 246 nursing students in South Korea. Measured PMS symptoms, lifestyle factors including alcohol use, and menstrual attitudes.
What they found
Students with undesirable alcohol habits and negative menstrual attitudes experienced more severe PMS. Students with dysmenorrhea had significantly more severe PMS and more negative attitudes about their periods. Correlation between alcohol habits and PMS was r=.15 (p=.020), and between menstrual attitude and PMS was r=.17 (p=.009). Dysmenorrhea was associated with worse PMS (F=12.41, p<.001).
What it means for you
Attitudes and alcohol use may be linked to PMS severity, with painful periods most strongly associated. This was a small survey of nursing students and may not apply to all women.
246
nursing students
r=.15
correlation with alcohol habits
F=12.41
dysmenorrhea linked to PMS severity
About the study
- Original title
- The Relationship between Life Style, Menstrual Attitude and Premenstrual Syndrome in Nursing Students
- Authors
- Song JE, Chae HJ, Jang WH et al.
- Journal
- Korean journal of women health nursing
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 246
- What was tested
- None - observational survey only
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2013.19.2.119
Topics
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