Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and its relationship with stress: A study on medical and allied medical science students at a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), now classified under mood disorders, is characterized by a group of cognitive, affective, and physical symptoms and is associated with socio-occupational dysfunction with poor quality of life. Most of the women in their reproductive ages suffer from discomfort before the onset of menses and this severe discomfort may also lead to stress. Aim: The aim of the study is to study the prevalence of PMDD among medical and allied medical science students and assess the stress associated with it. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care cente in Jaipur, Rajasthan. One hundred and eighty-one students were enrolled from medicine, clinical dietetics, and physiotherapy branches. The study tools used for data collection included a semi-structured self-reporting questionnaire, a premenstrual symptom screening tool (PSST), and a perceived stress scale (PSS). The data were analyzed using SPSS software. The recorded data were evaluated and presented based on mean, standard deviation, and proportion. Results: One hundred and eighty-one students were enrolled with the average age of 20.4 ± 1.54 years. On screening by PSST, 29 qualified for PMDD, 43 students met the criteria for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and the remaining 109 had no to mild premenstrual symptoms. Students with PMDD and moderate-to-severe PMS had significantly more stress as compared to students with no to mild premenstrual symptoms. Conclusion: Our study is a step forward in understanding the stress experienced by students suffering from PMS/PMDD. As students suffering from PMS or PMDD have higher stress levels, colleges or universities can give special focus to address these issues.

Keywords

• fatigue
• irritability
• lack of energy
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• premenstrual syndrome
• stress