--- title: How common are PMS and PMDD in young female athletes? | Niyora description: PMDD affects about 8% of young women regardless of sport. PMS is significantly more common in athletes (49.33%) than non-athletes (32%). url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-and-the-prevalence-of-premenstrual-syndrome-premenstrual-2015/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common are PMS and PMDD in young female athletes? Cohort study, 2015 # How common are PMS and PMDD in young female athletes? PMDD affects about 8% of young women regardless of sport. PMS is significantly more common in athletes (49.33%) than non-athletes (32%). Moderate study design 75 female athletes aged 16-22 years, 50 healthy non-athletes aged 16-22 years ## What they did Researchers tracked 75 female athletes aged 16 to 22 and 50 healthy non-athletes for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. They used daily symptom questionnaires following official guidelines for diagnosing PMS and PMDD. ## What they found PMDD was diagnosed in 8% overall with no significant difference between athletes (9.33%) and non-athletes (6%). PMS was diagnosed in 42.4% overall. PMS was significantly more common in athletes (49.33%) than non-athletes (32%, P=.045). Among athletes, PMS was more common in older women and in those with older age at first period. Intensive physical exercise delayed the onset of menstruation. ## What it means for you Young female athletes are more likely to have PMS than non-athletes, though PMDD rates are similar. Age and when someone starts their period may play a role in PMS risk for athletes. The study found a link between competitive sports and PMS but does not explain why. Main limit: only adolescents and young adults were studied, so results may not apply to older women. 75 female athletes studied 49.33% PMS in athletes 32% PMS in non-athletes ## About the study Original title Menstrual Cycle and the Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome/Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in Adolescent Athletes Authors Czajkowska M, Drosdzol-Cop A, Gałązka I et al. Journal Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology Year 2015 Study design Cohort study Participants 125 What was tested None, observational study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2015.02.113](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2015.02.113) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) 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 Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Cohort study, 2022 Does body size during childhood affect the risk of premenstrual disorders later? Survey study, 2026 How common are PMS and PMDD in teenagers, and can a new questionnaire measure their impact? Randomised trial, 2026 Does physical activity help manage PMS and PMDD symptoms? Survey study, 2025 Is the PSST a good screening tool for PMS in Bangladesh? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗