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Survey study, 2023

How common is PMS among teenage girls in Nigeria?

Very common. 75.3% of the 300 girls studied had PMS. The most common symptoms were period pain (81% of those with PMS) and mood swings (58.4%). These numbers describe this population, though they may differ in other regions.

Early or limited evidence 300 secondary school girls in Nigeria, mean age 16.2 years

What they did

Questionnaire survey of 300 female secondary school students in Kaduna State, Nigeria, with a mean age of 16.2 years. They reported on menstrual symptoms and what help they sought.

What they found

75.3% (226 of 300) had PMS. Among those with PMS, 81% had period pain with a median pain score of 3 out of 10, and 58.4% had mood swings. Only 15.4% of girls with PMS saw a healthcare provider, though 42.5% tried some type of treatment on their own.

What it means for you

PMS is extremely common in teenage girls but most don't get medical care. This shows a gap in support for young women. The main limits are that results came from one area of Nigeria and relied on self-reported symptoms.

75.3%

had PMS

81%

had period pain among those with PMS

15.4%

sought healthcare

About the study

Original title
Prevalence and Pattern of Premenstrual Syndrome among Secondary School Students in Kaduna State
Authors
Aisha Suleiman, Anisah Yahya, Adekunle Oguntayo
Journal
Nigerian Journal of Basic and Clinical Sciences.
Year
2023
Study design
Survey study
Participants
300
What was tested
None
Open access
Yes

Topics