Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in young women, the status of physical activity and quality of life.

Methods: The study conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at

Higher Education Credit and Hostels Institution of Uşak University. The sample of the study consisted of 617 student who were single, menstruating, volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected by self-reporting method with the questionnaire forms, Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), SF-36 Quality of Life Scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire prepared by the researchers in accordance with the literature. Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, student's t-test analysis techniques were used in the evaluation of the data.

Results: The mean age of the students was found to be 21.03 ± 1.54 (18-24) and the mean age of menarche was 13.25 ± 1.32 (10-18). PMS prevalence was 65.2% and the average score of the scale was determined as 122.14 ± 32.60 (44-214) in the study. In premenstrual period 98.2% of the students were fatigued, 95.5% were depressive mood, 93.4% were appetite changes, 93.2% were nervous, 92.2% were swelling, 91.7% had anxiety, 90.6% of them had depressive thoughts, 89.1% had pain and 88.2% had sleep changes. In the study, it was determined that those who had PMS had significantly lower scores on all subscales of the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale and 64.7% were inactive.

Conclusion: It is seen that PMS is an important health problem that is common among university students and that the quality of life of those with PMS is low and the activity levels are not different from those without PMS.