--- title: Does stress cause PMS in adolescents? | Niyora description: Strong link between stress and PMS: only 6.7% of mildly stressed girls had PMS, but 95.9% of severely stressed girls did. Sleep and exercise seemed protective url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-relationship-between-stress-levels-and-premenstrual-syndrome-incidents-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does stress cause PMS in adolescents? Survey study, 2025 # Does stress cause PMS in adolescents? Strong link between stress and PMS: only 6.7% of mildly stressed girls had PMS, but 95.9% of severely stressed girls did. Sleep and exercise seemed protective. Early or limited evidence 256 female high school students in Makassar, Indonesia ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 256 female high school students in Indonesia. Researchers measured stress and PMS using standard questionnaires. They analyzed relationships using chi-square tests and logistic regression. ## What they found Strong association between stress and PMS (p = 0.000). PMS increased markedly with stress intensity: 6.7% in mildly stressed girls, rising to 95.9% in severely stressed girls. Severe stress predicted PMS with odds ratio 330.80, and moderate stress with odds ratio 30.20. Adequate sleep and regular physical activity acted as protective factors. ## What it means for you Stress is strongly linked to PMS in adolescents. Getting enough sleep and exercise may help protect against it. The study was in one school in Indonesia, so results may not apply to all adolescents. The study was observational, so we cannot prove stress causes PMS. 6.7% vs 95.9% PMS in mildly vs severely stressed girls AOR 330.80 Odds of PMS with severe stress p = 0.000 Stress-PMS association ## About the study Original title The Relationship Between Stress Levels and Premenstrual Syndrome Incidents Authors Andi Muhammad Fadhyl Arsy, Arlina Wiyata Gama, Andi Irhamnia Sakinah et al. Journal Journal La Medihealtico Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 256 What was tested None (observational study) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.37899/journallamedihealtico.v6i5.2601](https://doi.org/10.37899/journallamedihealtico.v6i5.2601) Original abstract Adolescence is a formative stage marked by emotional instability and biological changes, creating a complex intersection between psychological and physiological development. In this context, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is not merely hormonal but also a psychosomatic response to psychosocial stressors. This study examined the relationship between perceived stress and PMS among 256 female students from Madrasah Aliyah Negeri in Makassar, Indonesia. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form (SPAF). Statistical analysis using Chi-square and binary logistic regression revealed a strong association between PMS and stress (p = 0.000). The prevalence of PMS increased markedly with stress intensity, ranging from 6.7% among mildly stressed to 95.9% among severely stressed respondents. Stress emerged as a key predictor (AOR = 30.20 for moderate stress; AOR = 330.80 for severe stress), while adequate sleep and regular physical activity acted as protective factors. These findings suggest that adolescent stress manifests as embodied experiences influenced by educational and sociocultural expectations. In academically demanding and morally prescriptive environments, emotional distress often translates into somatic expressions. Thus, PMS may function as a covert form of communication an embodied narrative of unspoken emotional struggles. Effective management should therefore integrate stress reduction, menstrual health literacy, and emotional awareness, not only improving reproductive health but also validating adolescents’ psychosocial realities. Reproduced under CC-BY-SA. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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. ## Related studies Survey study, 2025 What psychological and personal factors predict which university students will develop premenstrual syndrome? Survey study, 2023 What factors affect whether high school students get PMS? Survey study, 2014 What factors cause PMS in teenage girls? Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Survey study, 2021 Does physical activity or age at first period affect how much PMS a teenage girl experiences? Cohort study, 2017 How does stress relate to premenstrual symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗