Survey study, 2020
How common is PMS in elite female athletes, and do training or lifestyle factors cause it?
14.55% of elite female athletes have moderate to severe PMS. No specific modifiable risk factors were found. 76.6% of athletes felt their symptoms interfered with performance, but only 5 out of 18 athletes with PMS saw a doctor.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 124 elite female athletes across 17 sports at national training centers in Korea, mean age 24.36 years. Researchers diagnosed PMS using the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool.
What they found
18 of 124 athletes (14.55%) met criteria for moderate to severe PMS, and 1 met criteria for premenstrual discomfort. Athletes with PMS reported fatigue (100%), irritability (78%), difficulty concentrating (78%), joint and muscle pain (56%), bloating (56%), and weight gain (56%). 76.6% felt symptoms interfered with performance. Age, type of sport, BMI, training time, menarche age, and coffee and alcohol consumption were not significantly related to PMS. Only 5 of 18 athletes with moderate or severe PMS visited a doctor.
What it means for you
About 1 in 7 elite athletes has PMS affecting their performance, but many do not seek help. Common lifestyle and training factors do not explain who develops PMS in athletes. The study involved only Korean athletes, so results may differ in other populations.
14.55%
had moderate to severe PMS
124
athletes surveyed
76.6%
felt interference with performance
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence And Risk Factors For Premenstrual Syndrome In Korean Female National Athletes
- Authors
- Tae Im Yi, MunJung Bae
- Journal
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 124
- What was tested
- None. This was a survey study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000680648.69621.a1
Topics
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