Survey study, 2025
Is a negative attitude toward menstruation linked to worse PMS symptoms?
Yes. Girls with a negative attitude toward menstruation were 31% more likely to report severe PMS than those with positive attitudes. Culture, family structure, religion, and maternal education also affect both attitudes and PMS severity.
What they did
Institution-based cross-sectional study of 1100 adolescent girls aged 13-19 in Kerala, India, selected through multistage cluster sampling. Menstrual attitudes were measured using the Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire and PMS symptoms using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool. Multivariable analyses identified factors associated with attitudes and severe PMS.
What they found
51% reported a negative attitude toward menstruation and 36.8% reported severe PMS. Severe PMS was significantly associated with negative attitudes (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.31), living in a nuclear family (1.25), Muslim religion (1.58), and low maternal education (1.28).
What it means for you
A negative attitude toward menstruation is linked to worse PMS symptoms in adolescent girls. Family structure, religion, and maternal education also matter. These findings suggest that education and cultural attitudes may influence how girls feel about menstruation and their symptom severity. The study is limited to one region of India.
51%
with negative attitude toward menstruation
36.8%
with severe PMS
1.31
increased likelihood of severe PMS with negative attitude
About the study
- Original title
- Attitude towards menstruation, prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and coping mechanisms among adolescent girls in Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study
- Authors
- Gopika AV, George S, Rose BM et al.
- Journal
- BMJ public health
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 1,100
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-002281
Topics
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