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Survey study, 2021

Do PMS symptoms affect exam scores in medical students?

Some PMS symptoms affected exam scores differently. Students with acne had higher exam scores, while those with sleep problems, nausea, bloating, or skin changes had lower exam scores. This is a small study from one university.

Early or limited evidence 100 female medical students in Turkey, mean age 19.9 years

What they did

Cross-sectional study at Sakarya University in Turkey of 100 female medical students in their first, second, or third year. Researchers tracked five PMS symptoms (acne, nausea, sleep problems, bloating, skin changes) and recorded exam scores over one year during five committee exams.

What they found

Four of the five symptoms had significantly different exam scores. Students with acne had substantially higher scores than those without acne. Students with nausea, sleep problems, bloating, or skin changes had significantly lower exam scores than those without these symptoms.

What it means for you

Different PMS symptoms may affect school performance differently. The finding about acne is surprising. This is one small study from one university with no control group to compare.

100

female medical students

19.9±1.5

mean age in years

5

PMS symptoms examined

About the study

Original title
Some, but not all of the premenstrual syndrome symptoms affect the medical exam scores in medical students
Authors
Bilir F, Akdemir R, Bilir C
Journal
Pakistan journal of medical sciences
Year
2021
Study design
Survey study
Participants
100
What was tested
Observation of PMS symptoms and exam scores
Open access
Yes
Original abstract

Objectives: This research aims to identify the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms on the school exam scores in medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed at Sakarya University School of Medicine The study included medical students who were in the first, second, and third year of class. In this study, there were 193 male and 100 female students. The study investigated how PMS symptoms affected medical student's exam scores and school success. All exam scores were recorded during the two-consecutive semester so duration of study was one year. Results: There were 100 female students, and they had five different committee exams for one year. Female student's exam scores were significantly higher for four committees and an average score of all year. The mean age of female students was 19.9 ±1.5. Acne, nausea/vomiting, sleeping, abdominal bloating, and prurience change had significantly different exam scores compared to the group without these symptoms. Students with acne had substantially higher exam scores than without acne; inversely, the other four symptoms negatively affected exam scores. Conclusion: Some of the PMS symptoms can be more annoying and should change the quality of life more than the other symptoms, so we should define these symptoms to improve our student's quality of life and school success.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

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