Some, but not all of the premenstrual syndrome symptoms affect the medical exam scores in medical students

Objectives: This research aims to identify the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms on the school exam scores in medical students.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed at Sakarya University School of Medicine The study included medical students who were in the first, second, and third year of class. In this study, there were 193 male and 100 female students. The study investigated how PMS symptoms affected medical student’s exam scores and school success. All exam scores were recorded during the two-consecutive semester so duration of study was one year.

Results: There were 100 female students, and they had five different committee exams for one year. Female student’s exam scores were significantly higher for four committees and an average score of all year. The mean age of female students was 19.9 ±1.5. Acne, nausea/vomiting, sleeping, abdominal bloating, and prurience change had significantly different exam scores compared to the group without these symptoms. Students with acne had substantially higher exam scores than without acne; inversely, the other four symptoms negatively affected exam scores.

Conclusion: Some of the PMS symptoms can be more annoying and should change the quality of life more than the other symptoms, so we should define these symptoms to improve our student’s quality of life and school success.