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Survey study, 2018

How common are PMS and PMDD among medical students in South India?

Of 635 medical students surveyed, 177 had PMS and 88 had PMDD. The most common symptoms were anger or irritability, feeling tearful or overly sensitive, and fatigue or lack of energy.

Early or limited evidence 635 medical students at a women's college in South India

What they did

Researchers surveyed 635 medical students at a women's college in South India using a screening tool for premenstrual symptoms. Students also wrote down how they coped with these symptoms.

What they found

177 students met criteria for PMS and 88 met criteria for PMDD. The most common symptoms reported were anger or irritability, being tearful or having increased sensitivity, and fatigue or lack of energy. The most common ways students coped were sleeping, resting, and watching movies.

What it means for you

PMS and PMDD are common among medical students in India. Many use simple coping strategies like rest and distraction. This is a snapshot of one women's college at one point in time and does not compare medical students to other women, so we do not know if medical students have more PMS than the general population.

177

Students with PMS

88

Students with PMDD

635

Total students surveyed

About the study

Original title
A Study to Assess the Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Various Coping Strategies used by Students in A Womens Medical College from South India
Authors
Sivanandh Budarapu, Haripriya Sadam, K S Harshitha et al.
Journal
International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research [IJCMR]
Year
2018
Study design
Survey study
Participants
635
Open access
Yes

Topics