--- title: How common are period pain and PMS in Spanish university students, and do lifestyle choices affect them? description: Over half had period pain and most had PMS symptoms. Women who ate fewer Mediterranean foods, exercised less, and used tobacco had worse symptoms. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/dysmenorrhea-premenstrual-syndrome-and-lifestyle-habits-in-young-university-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common are period pain and PMS in Spanish university students, and do lifestyle choices affect them? Survey study, 2025 # How common are period pain and PMS in Spanish university students, and do lifestyle choices affect them? Over half had period pain and most had PMS symptoms. Women who ate fewer Mediterranean foods, exercised less, and used tobacco had worse symptoms. Early or limited evidence 743 female university students, median age 21, in Spain ## What they did Researchers surveyed 743 female students at a Spanish university in 2021-2022 about menstrual symptoms, quality of life, and lifestyle habits including diet, physical activity, and tobacco and alcohol use. ## What they found Period pain was reported by 57.9%. Physical PMS symptoms were reported by 92.7%, and emotional changes by 55.6%. Low Mediterranean diet was linked to period pain (odds ratio 1.47). Low physical activity was strongly linked to physical PMS symptoms (odds ratio 5.89). Tobacco use was linked to emotional changes (odds ratio 2.02). Pain and emotional changes were strongly linked to poor quality of life. ## What it means for you Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and avoiding tobacco may help manage PMS and period pain. However, this study only measured associations at one point in time, not cause and effect. Results are limited to one Spanish university. 57.9% had period pain 92.7% had physical PMS symptoms 55.6% had emotional PMS changes ## About the study Original title Dysmenorrhea, Premenstrual Syndrome, and Lifestyle Habits in Young University Students in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study Authors Franco-Antonio C, Santano-Mogena E, Cordovilla-Guardia S Journal The journal of nursing research : JNR Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 743 What was tested Observational lifestyle study (no intervention tested) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/jnr.0000000000000657](https://doi.org/10.1097/jnr.0000000000000657) Original abstract Background: Menstruation is a physiological process that may be accompanied by pain, headache, edema, emotional changes, and other symptoms, all of which affect quality of life. Although the results of some studies indicate lifestyle habits can affect the menstrual cycle and associated symptoms, few have investigated this issue, and even fewer have explored the impact of these symptoms on quality of life, in Spanish women. Purpose: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among students at a Spanish university, assess the impact of these conditions on quality of life, and analyze the relationship among lifestyle habits, dysmenorrhea, and PMS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 743 women enrolled at the University of Extremadura in the 2021-2022 academic year. Data related to the menstrual cycle, pain, and PMS-related physical and emotional symptoms were collected. Quality of life related to menstruation was evaluated using the CVM-22 scale. Lifestyle data collected included adherence to a Mediterranean diet (PREDIMED [Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea] questionnaire), level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and alcohol and tobacco consumption (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test Version 3). Also, other clinical data were recorded. Results: In terms of the sample, the median age was 21 (19-23) years, the prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 57.9%, 92.7% reported premenstrual physical symptoms, and 55.6% reported experiencing premenstrual emotional changes. Having a low level of adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with the presence of dysmenorrhea, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.47 (95% CI [1.06, 2.03]). Having a low level of physical activity was strongly associated with the presence of premenstrual physical symptoms, with an aOR of 5.89 (95% CI [1.71, 20.26]). Also, an association was found between tobacco use and premenstrual emotional changes, with an aOR of 2.02 (95% CI [1.25, 3.25]). Furthermore, dysmenorrhea and PMS were both associated with a low quality of life, with pain and emotional changes being the most significantly associated factors, with ORs of 16.25 (95% CI [10.36, 25.47]) and 26.73 (95% CI [16.46, 43.40]), respectively. Conclusions: Similar to previous studies, the findings of this study indicate a high prevalence of dysmenorrhea and PMS among young university students in western Spain, with both of these symptoms impacting quality of life significantly and negatively. In addition, lifestyle habits, diet, physical activity, and tobacco use seem to influence the occurrence of these symptoms. Promoting lifestyle changes may be an effective strategy to reduce the incidence of dysmenorrhea and PMS and improve the quality of life of young women. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) 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 Cohort study, 2026 Are diet and lifestyle linked to premenstrual symptoms in college students? Survey study, 2020 How do diet and lifestyle factors relate to PMS and PMDD in medical students? Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? Study, 2024 How do lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and stress affect menstrual health and PMS? Survey study, 2019 What diet and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS in university students? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗