A cross-sectional study to assess the burden of Premenstrual Syndrome in school going adolescent girls of city Faridkot, Punjab

BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome is a cyclic disorder characterized by physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve shortly after the onset of menstruation. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the proportion of premenstrual syndrome and to study the factors associated with premenstrual syndrome among school-going adolescent girls in city Faridkot, Punjab. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 380 adolescent girls (aged 10–19 years) from government and private schools in Faridkot. Participants who had attained menarche were included. Premenstrual symptoms were assessed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire based on American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology criteria. Data was analysed using SPSS version 26. RESULTS: Among the 380 participants,52.3% reported experiencing physical symptoms. Similarly,51.1% reported experiencing emotional symptoms. Both physical and emotional symptoms were reported by 50.3% of the study participants. 49.5% acknowledged experiencing limitations in day-to-day activities. Sleep duration, recent stressors in life, length of menstrual cycle were the factors significantly associated with premenstrual syndrome. CONCLUSION: Premenstrual syndrome is highly prevalent among adolescent girls and has a substantial impact on academic performance and psychosocial well-being. Integrating premenstrual syndrome screening and counselling into school health programs and adolescent clinics is crucial.