--- title: Did fear of COVID-19 affect premenstrual symptoms in university students? description: Women with higher fear of COVID-19 had worse PMS symptoms, especially if the pandemic changed their menstrual cycles. This shows an association but doesn't pr url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/relationship-between-fear-of-covid-19-and-premenstrual-syndrome-in-turkish-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Did fear of COVID-19 affect premenstrual symptoms in university students? Survey study, 2022 # Did fear of COVID-19 affect premenstrual symptoms in university students? Women with higher fear of COVID-19 had worse PMS symptoms, especially if the pandemic changed their menstrual cycles. This shows an association but doesn't prove fear caused worse PMS. Early or limited evidence 829 Turkish university students ## What they did Cross-sectional online survey of 829 Turkish university students. Students reported PMS symptoms using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, fear of COVID-19 using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and whether the pandemic changed their cycle or bleeding. ## What they found 73% had PMS. Most common symptoms were fatigue, irritability, appetite changes, and depression. Average fear of COVID-19 score was 20.48±5.96, indicating moderate fear. 72.5% reported the pandemic did not affect menstrual cycle length, and 79.6% reported it did not affect bleeding. Women who noticed pandemic effects on their cycles had significantly higher fear scores. Fear scores were positively correlated with PMS scores and dysmenorrhea (painful periods). ## What it means for you Psychological stress or fear was linked to worse PMS symptoms, particularly in women whose cycles actually changed. This suggests mental health may affect premenstrual symptoms, though the study cannot prove stress caused the worse PMS. Results only apply to Turkish university students. 73% Had PMS 20.48±5.96 Average fear of COVID-19 score (moderate) 72.5% Cycle length unchanged by pandemic ## About the study Original title Relationship between fear of COVID-19 and premenstrual syndrome in Turkish university students Authors Kaplan S, Gürler M, Gönenç ILM Journal Women & health Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 829 What was tested Association between fear of COVID-19 and PMS symptoms Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2022.2103611](https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2022.2103611) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[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 Survey study, 2026 Is anxiety linked to irregular menstrual cycles in teenage girls? Survey study, 2025 Is low hemoglobin linked to worse PMS? Survey study, 2025 Does caffeine affect the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2024 What factors are linked to PMDD in female university students? Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms? Survey study, 2026 Is academic stress linked to PMS severity in university students? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗