--- title: How common is PMS in university students and what helps them cope with symptoms? description: PMS was very common in this group. Most students coped by resting (67.6%) or sleeping (60.7%). Several menstrual and personal factors were linked to higher PM url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-coping-mechanisms-and-associated-factors-among-wolkite-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is PMS in university students and what helps them cope with symptoms? Survey study, 2022 # How common is PMS in university students and what helps them cope with symptoms? PMS was very common in this group. Most students coped by resting (67.6%) or sleeping (60.7%). Several menstrual and personal factors were linked to higher PMS risk, including family history, heavy periods, and starting menstruation early. Early or limited evidence 591 female students at Wolkite University in Ethiopia ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 591 female students at Wolkite University in Ethiopia from June to October 2021. Students completed a self-administered questionnaire measuring PMS using a 40-question scale. Researchers analyzed which factors were associated with PMS using multivariable logistic regression. ## What they found Main symptoms were abdominal cramps, depressed feelings, and fatigue. 93.4% of students used at least one coping method. Taking rest (67.6%) and sleeping (60.7%) were the most common strategies. Significant predictive factors for PMS were family history of PMS, no history of sexual intercourse, intense menstrual pain, using many pads during menstruation, irregular menstrual cycle, early menarche, and long duration of menses. ## What it means for you Most students cope with PMS by resting, a simple and practical approach. The study identified several personal and menstrual characteristics linked to PMS risk. However, findings only apply to Ethiopian university students. The study doesn't compare rest and sleep to other coping methods to see which works best. 93.4% Used at least one coping method 67.6% Coped by taking rest 60.7% Coped by sleeping ## About the study Original title Premenstrual syndrome, coping mechanisms and associated factors among Wolkite university female regular students, Ethiopia, 2021 Authors Eshetu N, Abebe H, Fikadu E et al. Journal BMC women's health Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 591 What was tested Factors associated with PMS and coping mechanisms Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01658-5](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01658-5) Original abstract Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is used to describe physical, cognitive, affective, and behavioral symptoms that affect young and middle-aged women occurring cyclically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Despite the considerable prevalence and impact of PMS on individuals, their families and communities that interferes with the development of nations, many professionals are still unaware of it and little attention has been given in developing countries like Ethiopia, especially for university students. Therefore, this study was aimed for assessing the magnitude of premenstrual syndrome, associated factors and coping mechanisms among Wolkite university female regular students, 2021. Methods: Institutional-based cross sectional study was conducted among Wolkite University regular female students from June 15/10/2021 to 30/10/2021 by using simple random and multistage with systematic random sampling technique to select the study participants (n = 591). Data were collected using a self-administered, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Premenstrual syndrome scales comprised of 40 questions with three sub-scales were used to determine Premenstrual syndrome. Data were cleaned, coded and entered into Epi-data version-3.1, and analyzed using SPSS software version 25. Descriptive statistics were computed for independent variables as well as for coping mechanisms and presented in narration, tables and graphs. Analytic analysis schemes including bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression were computed to identify factors associated with premenstrual syndrome and those variables with a P value of 8) during menstruation [AOR: 4.44; 95% CI: (2.16, 9.12)] were factors significantly associated with premenstrual syndrome. 93.4% of students apply at least one coping mechanism for premenstrual symptoms, of which; taking rest (67.6%) and sleeping (60.7%) were common strategies. Conclusion: In this study, premenstrual syndrome was found to be a problem of many students. Abdominal cramp, depressed feeling and fatigue were the predominant premenstrual symptoms experienced by students. Taking rest and sleeping were mostly applied by students as a coping mechanism. Family history of PMS, no history of sexual intercourse, intense menstrual pain, use of many pads during menstruation, irregular menstrual cycle, early menarche, and long duration of menses were found to be predictors of premenstrual syndrome. PMS needs great attention as part of the health care service in Ethiopia by involving all stockholders, including policy makers and health care professionals, to reduce its impact on the academic performance of university students. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[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/) 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 Survey study, 2017 Does painful menstruation affect adolescent girls' mood, emotions, sleep, and thinking? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Survey study, 2025 Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls? Survey study, 2024 Does poor sleep and period problems affect teen mental health? Survey study, 2023 What factors make premenstrual syndrome worse in nursing students? Survey study, 2019 What lifestyle and sleep habits are linked to PMS in teenage girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗