--- title: How common is PMS and does blood pressure change during the menstrual cycle? description: PMS is very common: 89% of these university students experienced at least one PMS symptom per cycle. Blood pressure was significantly higher during the luteal url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-changes-in-blood-pressure-with-menstrual-2018/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is PMS and does blood pressure change during the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2018 # How common is PMS and does blood pressure change during the menstrual cycle? PMS is very common: 89% of these university students experienced at least one PMS symptom per cycle. Blood pressure was significantly higher during the luteal phase than the follicular phase. Early or limited evidence 370 female undergraduate students in Nigeria (from Ahmadu Bello University and Bingham University) ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 370 female university students in Nigeria who reported on the severity of 23 PMS symptoms and had blood pressure measured during their follicular and luteal phases. ## What they found About 89% reported at least one symptom each cycle. The five most common symptoms were backache, wish to be alone, joint or muscle pain, fatigue, and thigh pain. Mean arterial blood pressure, systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure were all significantly higher (P < 0.001) during the luteal phase than the follicular phase. Pulse rate was significantly higher during the follicular phase. The 23 symptoms grouped into four clusters: affective, physical, somatic, and gastrointestinal/physical symptoms. ## What it means for you PMS is very common in this student population and affects blood pressure. However, this study only included students in Nigeria, so findings may not apply to women in other countries or older age groups. All information was self-reported, which can be inaccurate. 370 Female students 89% Had at least one PMS symptom P < 0.001 Blood pressure higher in luteal phase ## About the study Original title Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome and Changes in Blood Pressure with Menstrual Cycle Among University Students Authors Danborno AM, Nwankwo M, Kure J et al. Journal Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria Year 2018 Study design Survey study Participants 370 What was tested None; researchers measured existing PMS symptoms and blood pressure across cycle phases Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30837763/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30837763/) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) 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 Randomised trial, 2026 Does Kundalini Reiki help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? Randomised trial, 2026 Does a warm footbath help PMS symptoms and sleep quality? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Randomised trial, 2023 Does zinc supplementation reduce PMS symptoms in women? Survey study, 2026 Does COVID-19 infection or depression affect menstrual periods? Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗