Predictors of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating Health-Promoting Lifestyles

Background and Objective: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent issue affecting females of all ages, significantly impacting their quality of life and social well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health-promoting lifestyle components and PMS symptoms among Iranian medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using cluster random sampling. The study sample consisted of a total of ۱۴۴ medical students studying at a prestigious medical science university in Iran. Data were collected using a demographic and menstrual characteristics checklist, a premenstrual syndrome symptom questionnaire (PSQ), and a health promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP). Data were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model at a significance level of ۰.۰۵. Results: The mean score for PMS symptoms was ۳۴.۵۵ (SD = ۸.۶۴), while the mean score for healthy lifestyle was ۱۱۷ (SD = ۲۱.۳۲). The most common PMS symptoms were food cravings (۵۶.۹%) and sleep disturbances (۴۹.۳%). According to the results of single and multiple linear regression analyses, stress management (β=-۰.۲۱۶, p=۰.۰۳۴) and self-actualization (β=-۰.۲۸۸, p=۰.۰۱۶) had the most significant effect on PSQ, explaining approximately ۱۶% of the variance in PMS symptoms.  Conclusion: Based on these findings, self-actualization and stress management were related to PMS symptoms. Improving health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, especially in the mental dimension, may also help alleviate PMS symptoms in students.

کلیدواژه ها:

Premenstrual syndrome ، Health promotion ، lifestyle ، students