Survey study, 2015
How common is PMS in Turkish medical students and does it affect quality of life?
PMS is very common in Turkish medical students (91.8%), and those with severe PMS have the lowest quality of life scores.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 228 medical students (average age 20.77 years). Students recorded symptoms over two consecutive menstrual cycles and completed a quality of life questionnaire.
What they found
91.8% of students had PMS. The most common symptoms were abdominal bloating (89.5%), irritability (88.3%), and breast tenderness (82.6%). Quality of life scores were lowest in the severe PMS group. Alcohol consumption, stress events, and high-fat diets increased PMS severity. Family history significantly affected both PMS severity and quality of life scores.
What it means for you
PMS is very frequent in medical students and moderately affects quality of life. This study is limited to one country, one occupation, and one time point, so results may not apply to other women. It is cross-sectional so cause and effect cannot be determined.
91.8%
had PMS
89.5%
had bloating
88.3%
had irritability
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome in Turkish medical students and their quality of life
- Authors
- Goker A, Artunc-Ulkumen B, Aktenk F et al.
- Journal
- Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 228
- What was tested
- None. This was an observational study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01443615.2014.948820
Topics
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