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Survey study, 2021

Is premenstrual syndrome linked to depression in female university students?

Yes. Women with PMS had 70 times higher odds of depression compared to those without PMS. This cross-sectional study cannot prove whether PMS causes depression or depression causes PMS symptoms.

Early or limited evidence 440 female undergraduates at a private university in Nigeria

What they did

Cross-sectional study at a private university in Nigeria. 440 female undergraduates completed questionnaires about depression using the Beck Depression Inventory and reported their symptoms. Researchers analyzed what factors were linked to depression.

What they found

82.3% of women had depression, most commonly mild mood disturbance (43.9%). Women with PMS had 70.06 times higher odds of depression than those without PMS. Being older than 20 years, not having a close relationship with mother, and having a family history of PMS were also linked to depression.

What it means for you

PMS and depression are strongly linked in this group of Nigerian university students. However, this is a single cross-sectional study at one university, so it cannot prove whether PMS causes depression or whether other factors explain both.

440

female undergraduates

82.3%

had depression

70.06

times higher odds of depression with PMS

About the study

Original title
Association between Premenstrual Syndrome and Depression among Female Undergraduates in a Private Nigerian University
Authors
Joshua Falade, Nurudeen Ola Bello, Emmaunual O. Adelekan et al.
Journal
Current Psychopharmacologye
Year
2021
Study design
Survey study
Participants
440
What was tested
None (observational study)

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