PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHONIC DISORDER A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON PREVALENCE AND AWARENESS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Background: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that significantly affects women’s mental and physical health. Despite being recognized in the DSM-5, it remains underdiagnosed, especially in South Asia. Objective: To determine the prevalence of PMDD and access awareness levels among medical and dental students. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2023 among 173 medical and dental students in Lahore, using a structured questionnaire. Female students were assessed with the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied using SPSS v26. Findings: Among 173 participants, 165 were female (mean age 21.45 ± 1.42 years). Only 12 females (7.27%) met PMDD criteria, while 125 (75.7%) had some premenstrual symptoms. Awareness was significantly higher among females than males (p < 0.05), with 74.5% of females versus 30.4% of males reporting prior knowledge of PMDD. Conclusion: PMDD prevalence among female students was 7.27%, but awareness gaps remain, particularly among male peers. Integrating reproductive health education into medical curricula and encouraging early screening may improve recognition and management.