Exploring the Factors Influencing Premenstrual Syndrome and Its Severity: The Role of Lifestyle Determinants.

Abstract

Background: Women experience at least one of the Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) during the menstrual cycle. The present study aimed to determine the factors that influence PMS occurrence and its severity in the medical students.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 369 undergraduate female students of Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between September 2021 and April 2022. The sampling method was random and participants were recruited through public announcements. The collected data included the provisional diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome, the Iranian version of Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool (PSST), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and the self-reported measurement of weight and height. All data and questionnaires were designed and then completed online by participants. The multivariable logistic regression analysis determined the potential predictors of PMS, and p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results: About 70% of participants had PMS. According to the PSST, 69% of them were positive in terms of the severity of PMS. There was a significant correlation between PMS and the severity of PMS symptoms (p<0.001), BMI (p=0.031), and dietary fat (p=0.013). The odds ratio for PMS, BMI, and dietary fat was 10.314, 1.073, and 1.008, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that among lifestyle factors, dietary fat and BMI play a significant role in premenstrual syndrome. Future studies are needed to identify other factors influencing its occurrence and to propose approaches for improving the quality of life of female medical students during their lifespan.