Premenstrual Syndrome and Women’s Health: Insights From a Study Conducted in Budgam: Dr Sameer Ul Haq
Premenstrual Syndrome and Women’s Health: Insights From a Study Conducted in Budgam
Dr Sameer Ul Haq
Every month, millions of women across the world experience backaches, abdominal discomfort, mood swings, unexpected sadness, extreme tiredness, irritability and difficulty concentrating. For many women, these symptoms are considered a normal part of menstruation and are therefore rarely discussed. However, when these symptoms occur repeatedly before menstruation and begin to interfere with everyday life, education, work, or social activities, they may be signs of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS is one of the common yet relatively under-discussed aspects of women’s health. This is particularly important in conservative and semi-rural societies, where menstruation and menstrual health may still be surrounded by stigma, embarrassment and limited discussion. As a result, many young women may experience significant physical and emotional symptoms without recognizing them as a health issue or seeking appropriate support.
Understanding Premenstrual Syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome describes a combination of physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, generally during the one to two weeks before menstruation. These symptoms usually improve or disappear with the onset of menstruation. PMS is not limited to one particular symptom. Different women can experience very different combinations and levels of severity. Physical symptoms may include abdominal discomfort, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, backache, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, changes in appetite and weight-related changes. Some women may also experience sleep disturbances or changes in their usual energy levels. Emotional and behavioural symptoms are equally important. Irritability, sadness, anxiety, mood swings, feeling stressed, difficulty concentrating, feeling unable to cope and changes in social behaviour are frequently reported. While mild symptoms may cause temporary discomfort, more severe symptoms can interfere considerably with education, employment, relationships and other aspects of daily life. The severe form of the premenstrual symptom spectrum is known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is characterized by more severe emotional and behavioural symptoms and can significantly affect a woman's functioning and quality of life. It should therefore be distinguished from ordinary premenstrual discomfort. The exact biological mechanisms behind PMS are not completely understood. However, symptoms are thought to be associated with the body's sensitivity to hormonal changes occurring during the menstrual cycle. Changes in estrogen and progesterone during the luteal phase may influence neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which plays an important role in mood regulation. Lifestyle and environmental factors, including stress, inadequate physical activity, poor sleep and dietary habits, may also influence the severity of symptoms. Importantly, experiencing PMS is not simply a matter of being unable to tolerate menstruation. For some women, symptoms can be sufficiently severe to affect their ability to function normally.
The Budgam Study: What Was Done
To better understand the burden of PMS among young women, a study was conducted in Budgam between March and May 2026 among 380 female students aged 18 to 30 years. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of PMS, understand the symptoms experienced by students, identify factors associated with PMS and examine its effect on their quality of life. The findings provide an important insight into menstrual health among young women in the region. Of the students surveyed, 58.4% experienced PMS, meaning that more than half of the participants reported symptoms consistent with the syndrome. Even more concerning was the finding that 11% of the students met the criteria for PMDD, the more severe form of premenstrual disorder. These findings demonstrate that premenstrual symptoms are not an occasional or insignificant problem for a substantial proportion of young women. They also highlight the need to look beyond menstruation itself and consider the days leading up to menstruation as an important period for women's health.
What Symptoms Did the Students Experience?
The study identified a wide range of physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms among students experiencing PMS. Among the physical symptoms, 66% reported backache and muscle or joint aches, making this one of the most commonly reported complaints. Abdominal discomfort or distension was reported by 61%, while 42.3% experienced bloating. Breast tenderness was reported by 29% of students. These physical symptoms may appear relatively minor when considered individually. However, when several occur at the same time, they can make routine activities considerably more difficult. A student experiencing back pain, abdominal discomfort, fatigue and headaches may find it difficult to attend classes, concentrate on lectures or prepare for examinations. The emotional and behavioural findings were equally significant. Feeling sad or down was reported by 51.5% of students, while 50.5% reported feeling unable to cope. Approximately 47.1% reported feeling stressed, and 42.6% experienced irritability or bad temper. These findings are particularly important because emotional symptoms may be overlooked or misunderstood. Irritability, sadness or difficulty coping may be attributed to personality, academic pressure or relationship problems when, in some cases, they may follow a recurring pattern associated with the menstrual cycle. The study also identified weight-related concerns among students as part of the symptoms experienced around the premenstrual period. Changes in appetite, bloating and temporary changes in body weight can contribute to discomfort and dissatisfaction with one's body.
Lifestyle and Dietary Factors
The study also examined several lifestyle and dietary factors that may be associated with PMS. Physical activity appeared to be an important factor. Students who did not engage in physical activity had a higher prevalence of PMS (62.5%) compared with students who were physically active (48.7%). Although an association between physical inactivity and PMS does not by itself establish that inactivity causes PMS, the finding is consistent with the broader importance of regular physical activity for physical and psychological well-being. Activities such as walking, stretching, yoga and other forms of moderate exercise may help improve general fitness, sleep and stress management. Dietary habits also showed important associations. Students who consumed caffeinated drinks, salty foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and junk food showed higher prevalence of PMS compared with those who did not consume these foods or beverages. These findings do not mean that a particular food automatically causes PMS. However, they highlight the potential importance of dietary patterns in menstrual health. Excessive consumption of highly processed foods, sugary beverages and foods high in salt may also contribute to bloating, changes in appetite and other symptoms that can make the premenstrual period more uncomfortable. For young women, practical dietary advice may therefore form an important component of menstrual-health education. Encouraging balanced meals, adequate hydration and moderation in highly processed and caffeinated foods can be incorporated into broader health-promotion programmes.
PMS and Quality of Life
Perhaps one of the most important findings of the study was the impact of PMS on quality of life. The researchers used the SF-36 Health Survey, a widely used instrument for assessing health-related quality of life across eight different domains. The findings consistently demonstrated poorer quality-of-life outcomes among students experiencing PMS compared with those who did not report PMS. Approximately half of the students included in the study experienced a negative impact on their quality of life because of premenstrual symptoms. Quality of life is an important measure because the burden of PMS cannot be understood simply by counting symptoms. Two women may experience similar physical symptoms but experience very different effects on their education, social relationships, emotional well-being and daily functioning. For a university or college student, the consequences can extend beyond temporary physical discomfort. Persistent symptoms may reduce concentration, motivation and participation in academic activities. Students may miss classes, find it difficult to study or experience reduced performance during examinations. The educational consequences reported in the study deserve particular attention. Severe premenstrual symptoms were associated with problems including attendance, examination performance and academic grades. At a broader level, poor menstrual health can have implications for educational participation, workforce development and economic productivity. Supporting young women to remain healthy and engaged in education is therefore not only an individual health priority but also an important social investment.
Why Awareness Matters
One of the major challenges surrounding PMS is the lack of awareness. Many young women may not know that recurring physical and emotional symptoms before menstruation can represent a recognized health condition. Others may believe that severe symptoms are something they simply have to tolerate. In conservative communities, discussions about menstruation may also be limited because of cultural discomfort or stigma. A student may therefore hesitate to discuss symptoms with teachers, parents, healthcare workers or even friends. Menstrual-health education should explain what PMS is, which symptoms may occur, when symptoms become concerning and where women can seek help. It should also emphasize that severe or persistent symptoms should not simply be dismissed as a normal part of being a woman.
What Can Educational Institutions Do?
The findings of the Budgam study point towards several practical measures that educational institutions could consider. First, colleges and educational institutions can introduce menstrual-health awareness sessions for students. These sessions can cover menstrual hygiene, PMS, PMDD, nutrition, physical activity, stress management and when professional medical advice should be sought. Second, institutions can promote low-cost interventions such as yoga, stretching, relaxation exercises and regular physical activity. These activities can be incorporated into existing student wellness programmes without requiring major financial investment. Third, counselling services should be accessible to students experiencing significant emotional symptoms. Students reporting persistent sadness, severe anxiety, inability to cope or substantial disruption of daily functioning should be encouraged to seek appropriate professional assessment. Fourth, institutions can create an environment where students feel comfortable discussing menstrual-health concerns without embarrassment or stigma. Teachers, counsellors and student-support staff can play an important role in creating this supportive environment.
Looking Beyond the Numbers
The findings from Budgam highlight an important message. PMS is not merely a collection of temporary symptoms experienced before menstruation. For a substantial proportion of young women, these symptoms can affect physical comfort, emotional well-being, academic participation and overall quality of life. The study found that more than half of the surveyed students experienced PMS, while a smaller but important proportion met criteria for PMDD. Physical symptoms such as backache, abdominal discomfort and bloating were common, while sadness, feeling unable to cope, stress and irritability were prominent emotional and behavioural symptoms. The associations observed with physical inactivity and certain dietary habits also suggest that lifestyle-based health promotion may have a role in addressing the burden of premenstrual symptoms. However, awareness should go hand in hand with appropriate clinical care. Not every symptom occurring before menstruation is necessarily PMS, and severe emotional or physical symptoms require proper assessment to rule out other conditions and determine appropriate treatment.
Conclusion
The study conducted among female students in Budgam provides valuable insight into an aspect of women's health that often remains hidden behind silence and stigma. PMS affects a substantial proportion of young women and can influence much more than their physical comfort. It can affect emotional well-being, quality of life, attendance, academic performance and participation in everyday activities. The findings reinforce the need to make menstrual health a more visible component of adolescent and young women's health programmes. Awareness, healthy lifestyle practices, physical activity, appropriate nutrition, relaxation techniques and accessible counselling can provide practical avenues for support. Most importantly, young women should not feel that they have to silently endure symptoms that significantly interfere with their lives. Recognizing PMS, discussing it openly and providing appropriate support can help ensure that menstruation and premenstrual symptoms do not become barriers to education, personal development and participation in society. The experience of the students in Budgam is a reminder that women's health extends beyond pregnancy and reproductive outcomes. Conditions such as PMS, although often overlooked, can have measurable consequences for the health, education and quality of life of millions of women. Addressing them requires not only medical attention but also awareness, supportive institutions and a willingness to talk openly about menstrual health.
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