Survey study, 2026
What do college women know about PMS and period care?
College women in India have low PMS awareness and poor hygiene practices. Only 52% were aware of PMS, and 82% did not practice good menstrual hygiene.
What they did
Survey of 100 female college students aged 19-25 in Chandigarh, India. Used a questionnaire to ask about menstrual knowledge, hygiene practices, PMS awareness, and cultural beliefs around periods.
What they found
72% had received education about periods before starting menstruation, 98% used sanitary pads. Only 33% changed pads 4 or more times per day. Only 25% used soap and water for hygiene. Just 52% aware of PMS despite many having symptoms. 78% had poor knowledge scores and 82% had suboptimal hygiene practices. Cultural restrictions common: food taboos and limited discussion with male relatives. Premenarche education linked to better hygiene.
What it means for you
College women have significant knowledge gaps about PMS and poor period hygiene practices. Education and cultural change are needed. Limited to one Indian city and college students, may not apply to all women.
100
women studied
52%
aware of PMS
98%
used pads
About the study
- Original title
- Understanding menstrual health perceptions, practices, and premenstrual symptomatology among college girls in urban Chandigarh: A cross-sectional study
- Authors
- Vinod A, Thakur JS, Rajagopal V et al.
- Journal
- Journal of family medicine and primary care
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 100
- What was tested
- None (observational study of knowledge and practices)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1064_25
Topics
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