Skip to content

Survey study, 2019

Is PMS more common in later years of medical school?

PMS was found in 39% of female medical students, and it became more common as students progressed through their studies, with final-year students having the highest rates.

Early or limited evidence 150 female medical students in Karachi, Pakistan

What they did

Cross-sectional survey of 150 female medical students at one university in Karachi, Pakistan from January to June 2018. They completed a questionnaire about PMS symptoms and severity.

What they found

39% of participants had PMS. Of those, 79.31% had mild symptoms, 17.24% moderate, and 3.44% severe. PMS increased in higher academic years. Academic year, accommodation type, mother's occupation, menstrual cycle regularity, and family history of PMS were statistically significant risk factors.

What it means for you

PMS is common in medical students and increases as they progress, possibly linked to increasing academic stress. However, this is a single university at one time, so we cannot know whether the increase is due to stress, age, or other factors.

39%

had PMS

79.31%

had mild symptoms

17.24%

had moderate

About the study

Original title
Assessment Of Premenstrual Syndrome In Medical Students And Its Association With Progression Of Academic Years
Authors
Sadia Suboohi, Saba Pario, Ghazala Nasim Pasha et al.
Journal
Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College
Year
2019
Study design
Survey study
Participants
150
What was tested
None. This is an observational study.
Open access
Yes

Topics