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Survey study, 2024

What is linked to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in medical students?

In this study, PMDD was more common in students who had painful periods or drank caffeinated beverages, but this was an observational study so it cannot prove these things cause PMDD.

Early or limited evidence Unmarried female undergraduate medical students at a teaching hospital in Nepal

What they did

Researchers surveyed unmarried female medical students across all four years at a teaching hospital in Nepal, between June and July 2023. Students answered questionnaires about their background, periods, lifestyle, and a standard checklist used to diagnose PMDD.

What they found

36.28% of the students (41 students) were found to have PMDD. Having painful periods (dysmenorrhea) and drinking caffeinated beverages were both linked to PMDD, with a clear difference seen for each.

What it means for you

PMDD appears to be fairly common among medical students in this group, and painful periods and caffeine intake seem connected to it. Because this study only looked at one group of students at one point in time, it cannot show whether caffeine or painful periods actually cause PMDD, only that they tend to occur together.

36.28%

Students with PMDD

About the study

Original title
Associated Factors with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder among Undergraduate Medical Students of a Teaching Hospital
Authors
Sunita Bhandari, Heera Tuladhar
Journal
Journal of KIST Medical College
Year
2024
Study design
Survey study
What was tested
None tested; this was an observational survey, not a treatment study.
Open access
Yes

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