Survey study, 2024
How common is PMS among female medical students and how does it affect their quality of life?
About one in three female medical students had PMS, and those with it reported higher stress and lower satisfaction with their studies compared to those without. This is one survey of one university in Saudi Arabia, so we cannot be sure it applies to all medical students.
What they did
The researchers surveyed 264 female medical students at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia. They asked about menstrual patterns, PMS symptoms, and how their studies and stress levels were affected.
What they found
34.8% of students had PMS. Students in clinical years were more likely to have PMS (40% vs. 29% in pre-clinical years). Students with introverted personalities were more likely to have PMS (43.5%). The most common symptoms were depressive effect, anxiety, fatigue, and irritability. Students with PMS reported higher impact on study and career satisfaction (28.3% vs. 20.3% without PMS) and higher stress (57.6% vs. 37.8% without PMS).
What it means for you
PMS is fairly common among female medical students and gets worse as they progress through their studies. This study only surveyed one university and did not include a control group, so we cannot prove that PMS causes these problems. Results may differ in other countries or universities.
34.8%
PMS prevalence
40% vs 29%
PMS in clinical vs pre-clinical years
57.6% vs 37.8%
Stress impact with vs without PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and its impact on the quality of life among female medical students at King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Authors
- Rasmah Alharajin, Rana M Alhussain, Zinab Bohulaigah et al.
- Journal
- Saudi Medical Horizons Journal
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 264
- What was tested
- Observational study, no intervention tested
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.54293/smhj.v4i3.108
Original abstract
Background: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) affects many women, impacting daily activities and potentially hindering academic performance. Female students, in particular, may experience exacerbated effects due to neglecting symptoms. This study investigated the prevalence of PMS and its association with factors influencing female medical students' quality of life (QoL) at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey distributed to 264 students assessed demographics, family background, menstrual characteristics, PMS symptoms, and study-related QoL. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: PMS prevalence was 34.8% (92/264). Students in clinical years (40% vs. 29% in pre-clinical) and with introverted personalities (43.5%) were more likely to experience PMS. The most commonly reported symptoms were depressive effect, anxiety, fatigue, and irritability (all 100%). Students with PMS reported a higher impact on study-career satisfaction (28.3% vs. 20.3% without) and stress levels (57.6% vs. 37.8% without). Conclusion: This study suggests a significant prevalence of PMS (34.8%) among female medical students. An association was found between PMS, year of study, personality type, and specific aspects of study-related QoL, particularly impacting study-career satisfaction and stress.
Reproduced under CC-BY.
Topics
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