--- title: What factors are linked to PMDD in female university students? description: PMDD is common in this student population (62.6%), and appears linked to severe menstrual pain, irregular cycles, poor social support, and using contraception url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/determinants-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-and-associated-factors-among-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What factors are linked to PMDD in female university students? Survey study, 2024 # What factors are linked to PMDD in female university students? PMDD is common in this student population (62.6%), and appears linked to severe menstrual pain, irregular cycles, poor social support, and using contraception. Results come from one university in Ethiopia and may not apply elsewhere. Early or limited evidence 374 female undergraduate students at Hawassa University in Ethiopia ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 374 female undergraduate students at Hawassa University in Ethiopia. Students completed a PMDD screening questionnaire and provided information about their menstrual cycle, pain, social support, and contraception use. ## What they found 62.6% of students screened positive for PMDD. Students with severe menstrual pain were 6.44 times more likely to have PMDD. Those with irregular cycles were 2.21 times more likely. Poor social support increased risk 5.10 times, and contraception use increased risk 3.76 times. ## What it means for you PMDD is very common in these students (nearly two-thirds), and is associated with menstrual pain, cycle irregularity, lack of social support, and contraception use. A major limitation is that the study only included students at one university in Ethiopia, so results may not apply elsewhere. 62.6% Students screening positive for PMDD 6.44 Risk increase with severe menstrual pain 5.10 Risk increase with poor social support ## About the study Original title Determinants of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and associated factors among regular undergraduate students at Hawassa University Southern, Ethiopia, 2023: institution-based cross-sectional study Authors Chekol AT, Reta Y, Ayinewa F et al. Journal BMC public health Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 374 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18798-y](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18798-y) Original abstract Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a condition causing severe emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms before menstruation. It greatly hinders daily activities, affecting academic and interpersonal relationships. Attention is not given to premenstrual disorders among female students in higher education. As a result, students are susceptible to stress, and their academic success is influenced by various factors, including their menstrual cycle, and the long-term outcomes and consequences are poorly researched. Even though PMDD has a significant negative impact on student's academic achievement and success limited research has been conducted in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia, especially in the study setting. Therefore, a study is needed to assess premenstrual dysphoric disorder and associated factors among regular undergraduate students at Hawassa University. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 regular undergraduate female students at Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. A self-administered structured premenstrual symptoms screening tool for adolescents was used to assess premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The collected data were loaded into a statistical package for the social science version 25 and analyzed using it. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Each independent variable was entered separately into bivariate analysis, and a variable with a p-value less than 0.25 were included in the multivariate analysis to adjust the possible confounders. Statistically significant was declared at a 95% confidence interval when variable with a p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariate analysis with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Results: The magnitude of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in this study was 62.6% (95% CI 57.4-67.5). Having severe premenstrual pain (AOR = 6.44;95%CI 1.02-40.73), having irregular menstrual cycle (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI 1.32-3.70), students who had poor social support (AOR = 5.10;95%CI, (2.76-12.92) and moderate social support (AOR = 4.93;95%CI (2.18-11.18), and students who used contraception (AOR = 3.76;95%CI, 2.21-6,40) were statistically significant factors with the outcome variable. Conclusion: The prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder was high as compared to other studies. There was a strong link between irregular menstrual cycle, severe menstrual pain (severe dysmenorrhea), poor social support, and contraception use with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This needs early screening and intervention to prevent the complications and worsening of the symptoms that affect students' academic performance by the institution. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[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 Survey study, 2019 What lifestyle and sleep habits are linked to PMS in teenage girls? Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms? Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS, PMDD, anxiety, and depression in rural adolescent girls? Survey study, 2014 Are depression and anxiety linked to period pain in teenage girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗