--- title: How common is PMDD among college women and what increases the risk? description: About 17.4% of college women screened positive for probable PMDD. Living with a boyfriend, having severe period pain, and having longer menstrual cycles were url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-severity-and-associated-factors-among-female-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is PMDD among college women and what increases the risk? Survey study, 2026 # How common is PMDD among college women and what increases the risk? About 17.4% of college women screened positive for probable PMDD. Living with a boyfriend, having severe period pain, and having longer menstrual cycles were associated with higher odds. Moderate study design 368 female college students in Nekemte, Ethiopia with 98.13% response rate ## What they did 368 female college students randomly selected from 12 colleges in Ethiopia completed the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool for Adolescents, a standardized screening test for PMDD based on diagnostic criteria. ## What they found Overall, 17.4% screened positive for probable PMDD. Students cohabiting with a boyfriend had 5.80 times higher odds. Severe dysmenorrhea (painful periods) had 5.88 times higher odds. A menstrual cycle of 28 days or longer had 2.52 times higher odds. Living with relatives and having moderate menstrual bleeding were associated with lower odds. ## What it means for you About 1 in 6 college women may have PMDD. Several factors like living situation, period pain, and cycle length are linked to it, though we do not know if they cause PMDD or are just associated with it. The study was done in one location in Ethiopia so the results may not apply to college women in other countries. 17.4% Screened positive for probable PMDD 5.88 Odds multiplier with severe period pain 5.80 Odds multiplier cohabiting with boyfriend ## About the study Original title Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Severity and Associated Factors Among Female College Students in Nekemte Town: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study Authors Marine BT, Duftu KB Journal Health science reports Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 375 What was tested None, screening survey only Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.73200](https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.73200) ## 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/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[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 Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Review, 2026 How much do PMS and menstrual disorders affect women's work, school, and quality of life? Survey study, 2025 Do adverse childhood experiences increase PMS and menstrual symptoms in adulthood? Survey study, 2021 How common are menstrual problems in adolescent girls? Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗