Survey study, 2024
How common is PMS among university students and what lifestyle factors relate to less PMS?
PMS is very common: 83% had psychological symptoms, 79.4% had physical symptoms, 76.6% had behavioral symptoms. Diet and lifestyle choices like normal weight, no smoking, and eating fruits and vegetables were linked to less PMS.
What they did
217 female university students aged 18 and older in Dubai completed an online questionnaire about premenstrual symptoms and their diet and lifestyle.
What they found
All students reported at least one PMS symptom. 83% had psychological symptoms, 79.4% had physical symptoms, 76.6% had behavioral symptoms. Most common psychological symptom: loss of control in 69.6%. Most common physical symptom: lethargy, fatigue, or decreased energy in 56.7%. 45.2% said symptoms interfered with daily routines. Normal body mass index, no smoking, milk intake, cruciferous vegetables, fruits, animal foods, fish oil supplements, and no fast food were linked to lower PMS.
What it means for you
PMS is very common among young women at university and affects their daily life. Diet and lifestyle are connected to how much PMS affects you. This study only included university students in Dubai, so results may not apply to women in other places or ages. It shows connection, not whether changing lifestyle will reduce PMS.
217
students
83%
with psychological symptoms
79.4%
with physical symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its associations with dietary and other lifestyle factors among university female students in Dubai: A cross-sectional study
- Authors
- Al Sabbah H, Al Mutawa N, Assaf EA
- Journal
- Women's health (London, England)
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 217
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/17455057241260026
Topics
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