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Survey study, 2022

How common is PMDD in women and does exercise help?

PMDD symptoms are very common (85% of women), with 19% having severe symptoms. Women who do not exercise regularly have worse PMDD, and higher body weight increases severity.

Moderate study design 556 women from Hail city, Saudi Arabia

What they did

Surveyed 556 women in Hail from October to December 2021 using questionnaires about PMDD symptoms, exercise habits, body weight, and health status.

What they found

85% had premenstrual distress symptoms and 19% had severe symptoms. Lack of exercise was a risk factor for worse PMDD. Women aged 20-29 were most affected. Higher body mass index increased severity. Chronic diseases did not affect severity.

What it means for you

PMDD is very common in this population and exercise and weight may be modifiable risk factors that help reduce symptoms. The study only included women from one city in Saudi Arabia, so results may not apply elsewhere.

556

women surveyed

85%

with distress symptoms

19%

with severe symptoms

About the study

Original title
The prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and exercise among women in the City of Hail
Authors
Halima Mohamed, Adam
Journal
مجلة کلیة التربیة فى العلوم النفسیة
Year
2022
Study design
Survey study
Participants
556
What was tested
None - survey study
Open access
Yes

Topics