---
title: What premenstrual symptoms are most common, and what factors predict worse symptoms?
description: Emotional and functional symptoms like mood swings and loss of interest were most common. Older age, lower family income, lower parental education, and starti
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-symptoms-in-high-school-and-university-students-in-taif-city-saudi-2026/
---

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- What premenstrual symptoms are most common, and what factors predict worse symptoms?

Survey study, 2026

# What premenstrual symptoms are most common, and what factors predict worse symptoms?

Emotional and functional symptoms like mood swings and loss of interest were most common. Older age, lower family income, lower parental education, and starting periods at a younger age were linked to more severe symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

400 female high school and university students (96.5% university students) in Taif city, Saudi Arabia.

## What they did

Asked 400 female high school and university students in Saudi Arabia about premenstrual symptoms using a 9-question validated scale. Also collected information about their age, education level, family background, smoking status, and height.

## What they found

The most noticeable symptoms were emotional and functional, especially mood swings, loss of interest, and effects on daily life. Students with more symptoms tended to be older. Starting periods at a younger age was linked to more severe symptoms later. Students whose parents had more education and higher family income had fewer symptoms. Age, mother's education, family income, smoking status, and height together predicted about 16.4% of the differences in symptom severity.

## What it means for you

Emotional symptoms and loss of interest are very common premenstrual experiences in this student population. Socioeconomic factors like family income and parental education appear linked to symptom severity, possibly through effects on stress, nutrition, or healthcare access. This study was done in one city in Saudi Arabia, so results may not apply to other regions.

400

Students surveyed

96.5%

Were university students

16.4%

Variation explained by predictive factors

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Symptoms in High School and University Students in Taif City, Saudi Arabia Authors Hani Matrok Alotaibi, Rami Abdullah Al Otaibi, Alaa Ahmed Almasabi et al. Journal International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 400 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.25258/ijddt.16.61s.67](https://doi.org/10.25258/ijddt.16.61s.67)

## 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/)[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/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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