Is PMS linked to poor quality of life in female medical students and doctors?

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent gynecological condition characterized by recurrent physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms occurring during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. These symptoms can significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life (QoL), particularly among women in demanding academic and professional environments such as medical training. Objective: To determine the association between premenstrual syndrome and poor quality of life among medical final year students and postgraduate residents working at a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: This case-control study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Hospital, Sukkur, from November 2025 to March 2026. A total of 256 female participants aged 20–40 years were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Participants were divided into two groups: cases (with PMS) and controls (without PMS), based on PMS scale scores. Quality of life was assessed using the Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) scale. Poor quality of life was defined as a WRQoL score ≤74. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Chi-square test/Fisher’s exact test and odds ratio were applied to determine association. Results: Poor quality of life was significantly more prevalent among participants with PMS compared to those without PMS. Females with PMS demonstrated higher odds of having poor quality of life across multiple domains. The association remained significant after stratification for age, marital status, BMI, year of residency, and working duration. Conclusion: Premenstrual syndrome is significantly associated with poor quality of life among medical final year students and postgraduate residents. Early identification, counseling, and targeted interventions are essential to improve well-being and work performance in this population.

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