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Survey study, 2017

Do women with moderate PMS have more depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep problems than those with mild PMS?

Yes. Women with moderate PMS had significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and significantly worse sleep quality compared to those with mild PMS.

Early or limited evidence 100 female nursing students (50 with mild PMS, 50 with moderate PMS)

What they did

A cross-sectional study of 100 female nursing students. Participants were graded as having mild or moderate PMS using the Moos questionnaire. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Insomnia Severity Index.

What they found

Among the 100 women, 50 had mild PMS and 50 had moderate PMS (none had severe PMS). Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were significantly higher in the moderate group compared to the mild group (p=0.03, p=0.045, and p=0.042 respectively). Sleep quality was significantly worse in the moderate group (p=0.027). Insomnia severity scores were higher in the moderate group but this difference was not statistically significant.

What it means for you

Moderate PMS involves more mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as worse sleep, compared to mild PMS. This is a small study (only 50 women per group) of nursing students in one location, so results may not apply to all women. The findings suggest that the severity of PMS symptoms is linked to emotional health and sleep quality.

100

Total female nursing students

p=0.03

Statistical significance for depression between mild and moderate

p=0.027

Statistical significance for sleep quality between mild and moderate

About the study

Original title
Study of psychological predictors and sleep quality in different grades of premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Prabhavathi Krishnan, G Thilip, Hemamalini V et al.
Journal
National Journal of Physiology Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Year
2017
Study design
Survey study
Participants
100
What was tested
None
Open access
Yes

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