--- title: Is premenstrual syndrome severity linked to academic performance in adolescent girls? description: More severe premenstrual syndrome was significantly associated with poorer academic performance (p < 0.001). However, the study cannot prove that PMS causes p url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-between-premenstrual-syndrome-severity-and-academic-performance-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is premenstrual syndrome severity linked to academic performance in adolescent girls? Survey study, 2025 # Is premenstrual syndrome severity linked to academic performance in adolescent girls? More severe premenstrual syndrome was significantly associated with poorer academic performance (p < 0.001). However, the study cannot prove that PMS causes poor grades; stress might cause both, or other factors might explain the link. Moderate study design 270 adolescent girls in secondary and higher secondary schools in Bara Kahu, Islamabad, Pakistan ## What they did Cross-sectional analytical study conducted May to September 2024 of 270 adolescent girls in secondary and higher secondary schools in Bara Kahu, Islamabad using multistage cluster sampling. PMS symptom frequency and severity were assessed and associations with academic performance analyzed. ## What they found Overall, 85.93% of participants reported premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Of those with symptoms: 35.19% experienced mild, 30.00% moderate, 12.59% severe, and 8.15% very severe symptoms. A statistically significant association was observed between PMS severity and academic performance (χ² = 34.565; p < 0.001). Spearman's rank correlation showed a significant negative correlation between PMS severity and academic performance (ρ = −0.356, p < 0.01), indicating that poorer academic performance increases with greater symptom severity. ## What it means for you Adolescent girls with more severe premenstrual syndrome are likely to have worse school performance, which suggests PMS deserves attention in school health settings. However, the cross-sectional design means we cannot determine whether PMS causes poor grades, stress causes both, or other factors explain the link. Results are limited to one area of Pakistan. 85.93% reported PMS symptoms p < 0.001 severity and academic performance association −0.356 correlation coefficient ## About the study Original title Association between premenstrual syndrome severity and academic performance among adolescent girls in Bara Kahu, Islamabad Authors Alia Ibrahim, Mariyam Sarfraz, Aashifa Yaqoob et al. Journal Journal of Social & Health Sciences Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 270 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.58398/0001.000020](https://doi.org/10.58398/0001.000020) Original abstract Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects many adolescent girls in terms of physique, behavior, and psychology. However, evidence regarding the association between PMS severity and academic performance among adolescents in peri-urban areas of Pakistan remains limited. This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from May to September 2024 among 270 adolescent girls enrolled in secondary and higher secondary schools in Bara Kahu, Islamabad, using multistage cluster sampling. This study determined the frequency and severity of PMS and examined its association with academic performance. Overall, 85.93% of the participants reported PMS symptoms, with 35.19% experiencing mild, 30.00% moderate, 12.59% severe, and 8.15% very severe symptoms. For inferential analysis, PMS severity was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe levels. A statistically significant association was observed between PMS severity and academic performance (χ² = 34.565; p < 0.001). Spearman’s rank correlation further demonstrated a significant negative correlation between PMS severity and academic performance (ρ = −0.356, p < 0.01), indicating poorer academic performance with increasing symptom severity. These findings suggest that greater PMS severity is associated with reduced academic performance among adolescent girls in peri-urban Islamabad. While causality cannot be inferred because of the cross-sectional design, the results highlight the relevance of menstrual health in educational contexts during adolescence. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Randomised trial, 2026 Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Systematic review, 2024 How common is premenstrual syndrome in Africa, and what factors increase the risk? Randomised trial, 2023 Does zinc supplementation reduce PMS symptoms in women? Systematic review, 2021 How common is PMDD among female students in Ethiopia? 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