---
title: How common is PMS among nurses, and what makes it worse? | Niyora
description: PMS was very common among the Iranian nurses studied, and it was linked to high job demands at work, not just personal habits. We can be only moderately sure,
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-related-factors-among-nurses-2024/
---

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- How common is PMS among nurses, and what makes it worse?

Survey study, 2024

# How common is PMS among nurses, and what makes it worse?

PMS was very common among the Iranian nurses studied, and it was linked to high job demands at work, not just personal habits. We can be only moderately sure, since this is a one-time survey from one region.

 Early or limited evidence

280 nurses aged 23-49 in teaching hospitals in Tehran province, Iran

## What they did

Researchers surveyed 280 nurses aged 23 to 49 working in teaching hospitals in Tehran province, Iran, between April 2021 and January 2022. The nurses filled out questionnaires about PMS symptoms, their job demands, and lifestyle and medical history.

## What they found

Most nurses had PMS: 42.5% mild, 30% moderate, and 27.5% severe. Regular periods were reported by 84.6%, and painful periods by 72.3%. Moderate to severe PMS was linked to monthly COVID-19 shifts, emotional and quantitative job demands, regular caffeine intake, education level, regular exercise, and irregular cycles. When all factors were considered together, only quantitative and emotional job demands remained significantly linked to PMS.

## What it means for you

For nurses and shift workers with PMS, heavy and emotionally demanding workloads may make symptoms worse, not just personal factors like diet or exercise. The study only looked at one group of workers in one country at one point in time, so it cannot prove the job demands actually cause worse PMS, only that they are linked.

27.5%

Nurses with severe PMS

30%

Nurses with moderate PMS

280

Total nurses surveyed

## About the study

Original title Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and related factors among nurses Authors Saraei M, Shahrbabak ZM, Khalafi F et al. Journal Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 280 What was tested None tested; this was an observational survey of PMS prevalence and associated factors. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2024.2023-3-1](https://doi.org/10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2024.2023-3-1)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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