---
title: Is stress linked to premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: Yes, moderate to high stress was significantly linked to PMS risk. Women with moderate to high stress were 1.79 times more likely to have PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-prevalence-of-menstrual-disorders-and-their-association-with-psychological-2024/
---

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- Is stress linked to premenstrual syndrome?

Survey study, 2024

# Is stress linked to premenstrual syndrome?

Yes, moderate to high stress was significantly linked to PMS risk. Women with moderate to high stress were 1.79 times more likely to have PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

980 female health science students (mean age 21.52 ± 2.06 years) in Syria

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 980 female health science students in Syria conducted October to November 2022. Students completed questionnaires about menstrual problems and stress levels.

## What they found

87% of students had PMS and 88% had dysmenorrhea. 82% had mild to moderate stress, 10% had high stress, and 8% had low stress. Moderate to high perceived stress increased PMS risk (OR = 1.79, p = 0.0037).

## What it means for you

Higher stress appears linked to PMS risk in young health science students. However, the study was limited to one country at one time point, used self-reported data, and cannot prove stress causes PMS.

980

Female students studied

87%

Had PMS

1.79

Increased PMS risk with moderate to high stress (odds ratio)

## About the study

Original title The prevalence of menstrual disorders and their association with psychological stress in Syrian students enrolled at health-related schools: A cross-sectional study Authors Kahal F, Alshayeb S, Torbey A et al. Journal International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 980 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.15152](https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.15152)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[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.

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