Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome and Associated Factors Among Academics of a University in Midwest Brazil

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in university students, the factors associated with PMS, the most prevalent symptoms, and the interference of symptoms in academic, family, social, and work activities.

Methods This cross-sectional study included 1,115 university students aged ≥ 18 years from the University of Rio Verde, Goiás. Premenstrual syndrome and PMDD were identified using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool. Associations with sociodemographic, behavioral, reproductive, nutritional, and health factors were investigated using the Poisson regression.

Results The prevalence of PMS was 46.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 44.0–49.8), and of PMDD, 11.1% (95% CI 9.3–13.0). The most prevalent symptoms were physical, such as breast tenderness, bloating, e weight gain (73%); followed by psychological ones such as overeating/food cravings, tearful/more sensitive to rejection (> 60%). More than 30% of the patients reported that the symptoms interfered in a moderate-to-severe way in their social and academic activities. After adjusted analysis, PMS was more prevalent in those who were attending the 1^st/2^nd semester of college (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.44; 95% CI 1.14–1.80), those who consumed alcohol in the last 30 days (PR 1.23; 95% CI 1.04–1.47), and those who had depression (PR 1.49; 95% CI 1.30–1.71).

Conclusion Almost half of the university students had PMS and ∼ 11%, PMDD. Physical symptoms were the most common and interfered in a moderate-to-severe way in various aspects of life. Attending the first semesters, consuming alcohol, and having depression were risk factors for PMS. The identification of risk factors for PMS is essential to prevent symptoms and reduce the impact of the syndrome.

Resumo

Objetivo Investigar a prevalência de síndrome pré-menstrual (SPM) e do transtorno disfórico pré-menstrual (TDPM) em alunas universitárias, os fatores associados à SPM, os sintomas mais prevalentes e a interferência dos sintomas nas atividades acadêmicas, familiares, sociais e de trabalho.

Métodos Este estudo transversal incluiu 1.115 estudantes universitárias ≥ 18 anos da Universidade de Rio Verde, Goiás. Síndrome pré-menstrual e TDPM foram identificados por meio do Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool. As associações com fatores sociodemográficos, comportamentais, reprodutivos, nutricionais e de saúde foram investigadas utilizando-se a regressão de Poisson.

Resultados A prevalência de SPM foi de 46,9% (intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95% 44,0–49,8) e de TDPM, 11,1% (IC 95% 9,3–13,0). Os sintomas mais prevalentes foram físicos, como sensibilidade mamária, distensão abdominal e ganho de peso (73%); seguidos por psicológicos, como comer demais/desejos por comida, chorar/mais sensível à rejeição (> 60%). Mais de 30% relataram que os sintomas interferiam de forma moderada a grave em suas atividades sociais e acadêmicas. Após análise ajustada, a SPM foi mais prevalente naquelas que estava cursando o 1°/2° semestre da faculdade (razão de prevalência [RP] 1,44; IC 95% 1,14–1,80), as que haviam consumido álcool nos últimos 30 dias (RP 1,23; IC 95% 1,04–1,47), e as que tinha depressão (RP 1,49; IC 95% 1,30–1,71).

Conclusão Quase metade das universitárias tinha SPM e cerca de 11%, TDPM. Os sintomas físicos foram os mais comuns e interferiram de forma moderada a grave em vários aspectos da vida. Frequentar os primeiros semestres, consumir álcool e ter depressão foram fatores de risco para SPM. A identificação dos fatores de risco para a SPM é essencial para prevenir os sintomas e reduzir o impacto da síndrome.

Keywords

premenstrual syndrome - premenstrual dysphoric disorder - cross-sectional studies - risk factors - students

Palavras-chave

síndrome pré-menstrual - transtorno disfórico pré-menstrual - estudos transversais - fatores de risco - estudantes

Contributors

Dias-da-Costa J. S., Patussi M. P., and Paniz V. M. V. contributed to the conception and design of the study, review of the analysis, critical review, and final approval of the manuscript. Rezende A. P. R., Alvarenga F. R., and Ramos R. contributed to the study design, collection, and data analysis and interpretation as well as to writing the draft versions of the manuscripts. Franken D. L. contributed to the data analysis and interpretation as well as to writing the draft versions of the manuscripts. All the authors have approved the final version and are responsible for all aspects of this work, including guaranteeing its accuracy and integrity.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 14. September 2020

Angenommen: 13. Oktober 2021

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
25. Februar 2022

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