Interview study, 2019

Which PMDD symptoms are most common in college students?

Physical symptoms like pain are most common (91.4%), followed by anger and irritability (84.5%). PMDD causes the biggest problems with family relationships and home responsibilities. About 1 in 10 college students meet PMDD criteria.

Moderate study design 571 college students in Mysuru, India with mean age 21.12 years

What they did

Researchers surveyed 600 college students at various colleges in Mysuru, India over one year. Girls with irregular periods or absence of menstruation for 3 cycles were excluded. 571 completed surveys were analyzed.

What they found

Of 571 students, 46.1% had PMS or PMDD, with 10.2% meeting PMDD criteria. Physical symptoms were most common (91.4%), followed by anger or irritability (84.5%). The biggest impairment was in family relationships (77.6%), followed by home responsibilities and coworker relationships. Insomnia was the least reported symptom.

What it means for you

Physical complaints are the most common PMDD symptoms in college students, but emotional symptoms like anger interfere greatly with relationships. However, this study is from one city in India, so results may not apply everywhere.

46.1%

prevalence of PMS or PMDD

10.2%

meeting PMDD criteria

91.4%

with physical symptoms

About the study

Original title: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Ranking the Symptoms and Severity in Indian College Students
Authors: Deepali Bansal, Rajesh Raman, TS Sathyanarayana Rao
Journal: Journal of Psychosexual Health
Year: 2019
Study design: Interview study
Participants: 600
What was tested: None
Open access: Yes
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1177/2631831819827183

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)Low mood and depression Irritability and anger Relationships and partners Quality of life and daily functioning Students and academic performance Adolescents and young people

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Survey study, 2023

How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Lab study, 2026

Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD?

Survey study, 2024

How common are PMS and PMDD in young Turkish women and what factors are linked to them?