title: To evaluate the effect of perceived stress on menstrual function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Menstrual irregularities affect 2-5% of childbearing women, a number that is considerably higher among females under constant stress during a cycle.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of perceived stress on cycle length, regularity and dysmenorrhoea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 female undergraduate students of a medical college. A questionnaire along with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart (PBAC) was provided to the students. The menstrual pattern was then correlated with the PSS using the chi- square test and the Fisher's Exact test for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 100 undergraduate medical students, 30 students had a PSS score >20 while 70 had a score ≤20. An association was established between high stress levels (PSS >20) and menstrual irregularity. No association was found in students with PSS >20 with hypomenorrhoea, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhoea, long cycle length and short cycle length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High stress levels (PSS >20) was associated with only menstrual irregularities and not with duration, amount of flow or dysmenorrhoea. Hence, other causes should be looked for in young women complaining of menstrual problems before stress is assumed to be the cause.
authors.affiliation: MBBS Student, Army College of Medical Sciences , Delhi Cantt, New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Shahida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagma
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, VMMC and Safdarjang Hospital , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Garima
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.affiliation: Specialist, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, VMMC and Safdarjang Hospital , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bharti
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, VMMC and Safdarjang Hospital , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Achla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batra
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, VMMC and Safdarjang Hospital , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Aruna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batra
authors.affiliation: Senior Research Officer, Department of Institute for Research in Medical Statistics, ICMR , Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Abha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, VMMC and Safdarjang Hospital , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Aanchal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sablok
keywords: Dysmenorrhoea; Irregular menstrual cycle; Menstrual irregularities