A Study on Premenstrual Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) among university students. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with female students from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, excluding those with neuropsychiatric or chronic physical illnesses. The data included sociodemographics (age, height, weight, economic status, menstrual cycle characteristics) and health behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption). Premenstrual symptoms were evaluated with the PMS Scale (PMSS) and OCS with the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCIT). Participants were grouped based on PMSS scores indicating PMS presence, and correlation and regression analyses explored the relationship between PMS and OCS. Results: A total of 552 females aged 18-24 (mean age: 20.22±1.56) participated, with 74.2% (n=410) reporting PMS. PMS individuals had markedly higher total MOCI-T scores than non-PMS individuals (p≤0.001). PMSS dimensions (except for abdominal bloating and appetite changes) showed associations with MOCI-T, with rumination exhibiting the strongest positive correlations (p≤0.001). MOCI-T scores also correlated significantly with anxiety and depressive thoughts, with anxiety having a slightly stronger impact (B=0.315, β=0.318, p≤0.001 vs B=0.174, β=0.194, p≤0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate a significant link between PMS and OCS, emphasizing the intertwining of menstrual health and mental well-being in young females. Moreover, the correlations between PMS dimensions, OCS, and psychological factors like anxiety and depressive thoughts suggest a multifaceted relationship deserving a further study.