Skip to content

Survey study, 2021

Is premenstrual syndrome linked to personality traits?

More than half the students (62%) had PMS. Women with more anxious or emotionally reactive personalities, or who were less consistent in their behaviors, were more likely to have PMS.

Early or limited evidence 736 female university students

What they did

A survey of 736 female university students. They completed questionnaires about their personality traits and premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

What they found

62% of the 736 students reported having PMS. A clear relationship was found between PMS and two specific personality traits: emotional balance (or lack of it, meaning more anxiety or emotional reactivity) and consistency (or lack of it, meaning less reliable or stable behavior).

What it means for you

Personality type may relate to whether someone experiences PMS. But this does not mean personality causes PMS. The study included only university students, so results may not apply to all women.

62%

had premenstrual syndrome

736

students studied

About the study

Original title
The Relationship Between Premenstrual Syndrome and Personal Properties in Unıversity Students
Authors
Nurdilan Şener, Şermin Timur Taşhan
Journal
Acibadem Universitesi Saglik Bilimleri Dergisi
Year
2021
Study design
Survey study
Participants
2,426
Open access
Yes

Topics