---
title: How common are premenstrual symptoms in college students? | Niyora
description: Premenstrual symptoms are very common, affecting 85 percent of college students in this study. The most frequent symptoms are mood changes like depression and
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-and-menstruation-pattern-among-college-students-2025/
---

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- How common are premenstrual symptoms in college students?

Survey study, 2025

# How common are premenstrual symptoms in college students?

Premenstrual symptoms are very common, affecting 85 percent of college students in this study. The most frequent symptoms are mood changes like depression and irritability, along with physical discomfort like headaches and fatigue.

 Moderate study design

300 college students aged 18-28 (mean 21.11 ± 2.3)

## What they did

Researchers gave questionnaires to 300 college students aged 18-28 asking about their menstrual patterns and premenstrual symptoms.

## What they found

PMS affected 85% of the sample. Most common psychological symptoms were depressed mood, irritability, mood fluctuations, and difficulty concentrating. Most common physical symptoms were body discomfort, headaches, backaches, fatigue, and joint pain. Behavioral changes included short temper, food cravings, and drowsiness. 41.5% engaged in physical exercise and 60% in psychological pursuits.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms are extremely common in college-age women and affect most of those surveyed across physical, mood, and behavioral domains. Understanding that PMS is common may help students feel less alone and may encourage schools to provide more education and support for managing symptoms.

300

college students

85%

with premenstrual symptoms

21.11

mean age in years

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Symptoms and Menstruation Pattern Among College Students Authors S Selvalakshmi, S Lakshmanan Journal International Journal of Zoological Investigations Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 300 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.33745/ijzi.2025.v11i01.015](https://doi.org/10.33745/ijzi.2025.v11i01.015)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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