Associated factors with Premenstrual syndrome and Premenstrual dysphoric disorder among female medical students: A cross-sectional study

PLoS One. 2023 Jan 26;18(1):e0278702. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278702. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to determine potential risk factors associated with Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

Methods: Three hundred two female student participants who were 18-45 years old completed a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and a Vietnamese Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool. We then followed up participants during at least two menstrual cycles using the Daily Record of Severity of Problems. The Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder diagnosis was established using The Carolina Premenstrual Assessment Scoring System, based on the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Results: According to the Carolina Premenstrual Assessment Scoring System, 35 out of 302 students (11.6%; 95%CI: 8.2-15.7%) met the diagnosis of PMS (31 students) or PMDD (4 students). We found that age at menarche (PR = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.63-0.96), having negative Rh blood type (PR = 4.43, 95%CI: 1.95 to 10.08), being moderately depressed or higher (PR = 2.81, 95%CI: 1.24 to 6.36), and consuming caffeine more than three times per week were statistically associated with having Premenstrual Syndrome or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder after adjusting for other variables.

Conclusion: The prominent risk factors for Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder were negative Rhesus blood type, menarche age, caffeine consumption, and self-reported depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Caffeine
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder* / epidemiology
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder* / etiology
  • Premenstrual Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Students, Medical*

Substances

  • Caffeine

Grants and funding

The study had been supported by the Research Advancement Consortium in Health and Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam (https://www.reach.edu.vn/pmspmdd.html). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.