Survey study, 2016
Does stress increase premenstrual syndrome in college students?
Yes. Female college students who experienced stress were more likely to have premenstrual syndrome than those without stress. 34.9 percent had stress and 32.8 percent had PMS symptoms.
What they did
Researchers surveyed female college students living in Islamic boarding schools. They used random sampling to collect data on stress levels and premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
What they found
34.9 percent of students experienced stress. 32.8 percent experienced premenstrual syndrome. Students with stress were more likely to have PMS. The most severe physical symptoms were breast tenderness (22.3%), fatigue or weakness (21.6%), and headache or muscle pain. 18.1 percent reported loss of interest in activities.
What it means for you
The study shows stress is associated with higher rates of premenstrual syndrome in this population. However, the design cannot show whether stress causes PMS or if PMS causes stress. Results are limited to Islamic boarding school students, so findings may not apply to other college populations.
34.9%
Students with stress
32.8%
Students with premenstrual syndrome
22.3%
With severe physical symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Stres dan kejadian premenstrual syndrome pada mahasiswi pondok pesantren Surya Global
- Authors
- Akifah Fatimah, Yayi Suryo Prabandari, Ova Emilia
- Journal
- Berita Kedokteran Masyarakat
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.22146/bkm.8452
Original abstract
Stress and premenstrual syndrome events in female college students in boarding schoolsPurposeThis study aimed to determine the correlation between stress and premenstrual syndrome events in female college students who live in Islamic boarding schools.MethodThis study used a cross-sectional design. Respondents were female college students who live in boarding schools and met inclusion criteria as a respondent. Data collection technique was simple random sampling.ResultsThere were correlations between stress and premenstrual syndrome, and the external variable which was related with premenstrual syndrome was age of menarche. Prevalence of female college students who experienced stress was 34.9% and prevalence of premenstrual syndrome was 32.8%. Severe symptoms experienced by respondents were physical symptoms (22.3%) such as breast tenderness, headache, joint or muscle pain, bloating, weight gain, fatigue or weakness (21.6%), and decreased interest of doing activities at home/dorm (18.1%).ConclusionFemale college students who experienced stress have more potential to experience premenstrual syndrome than female college students who did not experience stress.
Reproduced under CC-BY-SA.
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