---
title: How common is PMS among female university students in Nigeria?
description: Very common. In this study, 42.9% of students met the criteria for PMS, and almost half of those (47.6%) had severe PMS or PMDD.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/assessment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-among-female-students-in-southeast-nigeria-2018/
---

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- How common is PMS among female university students in Nigeria?

Survey study, 2018

# How common is PMS among female university students in Nigeria?

Very common. In this study, 42.9% of students met the criteria for PMS, and almost half of those (47.6%) had severe PMS or PMDD.

 Early or limited evidence

480 female students aged 15 to 45 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka

## What they did

Researchers surveyed 480 female students aged 15 to 45 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Each student filled in the Calendar of Premenstrual Experiences (COPE) form over two menstrual cycles to check for PMS and PMDD.

## What they found

206 of 480 students (42.9%) met the criteria for PMS; 274 (57.1%) did not. Among those with PMS, 98 (47.6%) had severe PMS or PMDD. The most common symptoms were trouble concentrating (85.0%), irritability (79.2%), abdominal bloating (75.3%), aches and pains (70.0%), mood swings (69.2%), breast tenderness (69.2%), and food cravings (68.0%).

## What it means for you

PMS and PMDD affect a large share of female students in this Nigerian setting, especially concentration, mood, and bloating symptoms. The main limits are that it is a one-time snapshot (cross-sectional) at a single university with no comparison group, so it cannot show cause or whether other groups of women have similar rates.

42.9%

Students who met criteria for PMS

47.6%

Of those with PMS, had severe PMS or PMDD

85.0%

Had trouble concentrating (most common symptom)

## About the study

Original title Assessment of premenstrual syndrome among female students in Southeast Nigeria Authors Kelechi Martins Nworie, Deborah Oyine Aluh, Chinyere Abigail Onyekwum Journal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecological Investigations Year 2018 Study design Survey study Participants 480 What was tested None; this was an observational survey using a symptom diary (COPE form), not a treatment test. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5114/jogi.2018.79426](https://doi.org/10.5114/jogi.2018.79426)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[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

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