A study to assess the pre menstrual symptoms experienced by college going students in selected areas of Pune

Abstract

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is defined as the recurrence of psychological and physiological symptoms in the luteal phase, which remit in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of PMS fall in two domains: Physiological and Psychological. Aim: To conduct a survey study among 120 colleges going students from selected hostels of Bharti Vidyapeeth Campus, Dhankawadi, Pune to assess the incidence of premenstrual symptoms experienced by the college going students. Methods: The present study investigates the incidence of premenstrual symptoms by using convenient method from 120 participants of age group ranging from 16 years, and above with educational status ranging from graduation first year to graduation fourth year. Results: It was found that out of the 120 participants, 66.66% of the college going students are showing the premenstrual symptoms of tiredness or lethargy, 65% of the samples showed premenstrual symptoms of acne or pimples, 60% of the samples are showing premenstrual symptoms of backache, 55% of the samples showing irritability, 50.83% showed confusion before menstrual cycle and only 15.83% of college going students showed the pre menstrual symptoms such as cold sores and panic attack. With this study, it was observed that the most common symptoms are tiredness and feeling lethargic (66.66%) followed by acne (65%). It was also observed that the least common symptoms were cold sores (15.83%) and panic attacks (15.83%). Conclusion: As seen in this study the most common PMS observed was tiredness or lethargy, it is essential that awareness programmes need to be conducted to address the importance of managing the issue by pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.