---
title: How do premenstrual symptoms affect girls' development and well-being?
description: Girls with premenstrual symptoms had lower scores on measures of positive development, including competence, confidence and social connection. This was partly
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-and-the-5cs-the-moderating-role-of-physical-exercise-and-2025/
---

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- How do premenstrual symptoms affect girls' development and well-being?

Survey study, 2025

# How do premenstrual symptoms affect girls' development and well-being?

Girls with premenstrual symptoms had lower scores on measures of positive development, including competence, confidence and social connection. This was partly because symptoms lowered their body satisfaction. Physical exercise helped protect against some negative effects.

 Moderate study design

2,837 students in grades 7-9 in rural China; 1,378 girls who had started menstruation

## What they did

Cross-sectional survey of 2,837 students in grades 7-9 in rural China, including 1,378 girls who had started their periods. Students completed questionnaires measuring premenstrual symptoms, positive development factors (competence, confidence, connection, character, caring), body satisfaction and physical exercise.

## What they found

Girls with premenstrual symptoms had lower competence, confidence, connection and body satisfaction. The negative effect of symptoms on development partly happened through lowered body satisfaction. Physical exercise reduced the harmful effects of symptoms on character and connection. Girls who had started menstruation had higher caring scores.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms affect girls' emotional and social development, not just their physical health. Body satisfaction appears to play a role in how symptoms impact development. Exercise may protect against some negative effects. This was a large study but cross-sectional, so we cannot determine whether symptoms cause these effects or if other factors are involved.

2837

total students

1378

girls with menarche

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual symptoms and the 5Cs: The moderating role of physical exercise and the mediating role of body satisfaction Authors Qinian Chen, Ling Jiang, Yueming Hui et al. Journal Applied Developmental Science Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 2,837 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2025.2476619](https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2025.2476619)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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