---
title: What do college women know about PMS and period care? | Niyora
description: College women in India have low PMS awareness and poor hygiene practices. Only 52% were aware of PMS, and 82% did not practice good menstrual hygiene.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/understanding-menstrual-health-perceptions-practices-and-premenstrual-2026/
---

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- What do college women know about PMS and period care?

Survey study, 2026

# What do college women know about PMS and period care?

College women in India have low PMS awareness and poor hygiene practices. Only 52% were aware of PMS, and 82% did not practice good menstrual hygiene.

 Early or limited evidence

100 female college students aged 19-25 in India

## What they did

Survey of 100 female college students aged 19-25 in Chandigarh, India. Used a questionnaire to ask about menstrual knowledge, hygiene practices, PMS awareness, and cultural beliefs around periods.

## What they found

72% had received education about periods before starting menstruation, 98% used sanitary pads. Only 33% changed pads 4 or more times per day. Only 25% used soap and water for hygiene. Just 52% aware of PMS despite many having symptoms. 78% had poor knowledge scores and 82% had suboptimal hygiene practices. Cultural restrictions common: food taboos and limited discussion with male relatives. Premenarche education linked to better hygiene.

## What it means for you

College women have significant knowledge gaps about PMS and poor period hygiene practices. Education and cultural change are needed. Limited to one Indian city and college students, may not apply to all women.

100

women studied

52%

aware of PMS

98%

used pads

## About the study

Original title Understanding menstrual health perceptions, practices, and premenstrual symptomatology among college girls in urban Chandigarh: A cross-sectional study Authors Vinod A, Thakur JS, Rajagopal V et al. Journal Journal of family medicine and primary care Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 100 What was tested None (observational study of knowledge and practices) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1064_25](https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1064_25)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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