Survey study, 2022
Does your body size and shape affect whether you get PMS?
No. Body measurements like weight, waist size, and waist-to-hip ratio showed no link to PMS in these college students.
What they did
Sixty college students aged 17-22 recorded their symptoms for 3 menstrual cycles using a daily symptom checklist. Researchers then measured their height, weight, BMI, arm circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, and ratios of waist to hip and waist to height.
What they found
About 1 in 5 students had PMS. The body measurements showed no significant connection to who had PMS.
What it means for you
Your weight and body shape do not appear to determine whether you get PMS. The study was small and only included college-age women, so the findings may not apply to other ages.
60
Participants
about 1 in 5
Had PMS
3
Cycles tracked
About the study
- Original title
- Role of Anthropometric Indices in the Appearance of Premenstrual Syndrome in College Students
- Authors
- Namrata Vaishampayan, Y Lavanya Sneha
- Journal
- Acta Scientific Women s Health
- Year
- 2022
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 60
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.31080/aswh.2022.04.0351
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2026
Does Kundalini Reiki help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life?
Randomised trial, 2026
Does calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduce PMS symptoms?
Randomised trial, 2026
Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS?
Randomised trial, 2026
Does a warm footbath help PMS symptoms and sleep quality?
Randomised trial, 2025
Which is more effective for PMS - Vitagnus, soy, or both together?
Systematic review, 2025
How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling?