title: Premenstrual syndrome and life quality in Turkish health science students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to investigate the incidence of PMS, risk factors affecting PMS symptoms, and life quality in health science students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 608 volunteer female students studying at the health campus of a state university in Turkey were included in the study. The participants were asked to fill out questionnaires on sociodemographic data, PMS symptoms, and SF-36 life quality tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall frequency of PMS among participants was 84.5%. The average PMS and general health SF scores were 118.34 ± 37.3 and 20.03 ± 3.72, respectively. Students who had irregular breakfast, drank ≥2 cups of coffee/day, and consumed alcohol or fast food had higher PMS scores. Irregular menstruation and family history increased PMS scores and decreased life quality (P < 0.05). The life quality of the students significantly decreased as the severity of PMS increased (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low body mass index, family history, irregular menstruation, bad eating habits such as fast food consumption and irregular breakfasts, and coffee and alcohol consumption increased PMS risk significantly. In order to improve their life quality, students should be informed about the symptoms, risk factors, and management options of PMS.
authors: Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors: Hatice
authors: H
authors: İşik
authors: Department of Obstetric and Gynecologic Diseases Nursing, School of Health, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors: Şule
authors: Ş
authors: Ergöl
authors: Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors: Öner
authors: Ö
authors: Aynioğlu
authors: Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Şahbaz
authors: Ahmet Erdoğan Health Services Vocational School, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors: Ayşe
authors: A
authors: Kuzu
authors: Department of Child Diseases Nursing, School of Health, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors: Müge
authors: M
authors: Uzun
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome; D011788:Quality of Life; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey
keywords: Premenstrual syndrome; eating habits; life quality