Survey study, 2017
How common is PMS in university students and is it related to depression?
More than half of university students had PMS (58.1%), and there was a strong link between PMS and depression risk. Women with depression were more likely to have PMS symptoms.
What they did
Researchers surveyed 618 first-year university students from March to June 2016 in Turkey, asking about PMS symptoms, depression, lifestyle habits like smoking and diet, and economic situation.
What they found
58.1% had PMS. PMS was more common in students who smoked, drank alcohol, ate lots of fatty and high-calorie foods, had poor economic situation, or had chronic disease or anemia. There was a strong relationship between depression risk and all PMS symptoms except appetite changes.
What it means for you
PMS is common in young women and linked to depression. Lifestyle factors like smoking and diet may also be involved. However, this is from one university in Turkey and may not apply to other places or older women.
58.1%
had PMS
618
total participants
p < 0.01
depression link significance
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its relationship to depressive symptoms in first-year university students
- Authors
- Acikgoz A, Dayi A, Binbay T
- Journal
- Saudi medical journal
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 618
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.15537/smj.2017.11.20526
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2025
Is PMS connected to mental health problems and lifestyle choices?
Survey study, 2025
Is there a link between premenstrual syndrome and obsessive-compulsive symptoms?
Survey study, 2011
Is premenstrual syndrome related to major depression?
Survey study, 2026
What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women?
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Survey study, 2025
Are premenstrual symptoms linked to depression in teenage girls?