Premenstrual Syndrome Among Reproductive-Aged Women in Urban Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a multifactorial disorder affecting women's physical and psychological health, yet its burden remains underrecognized in low- and middle-income settings, particularly within South Asian urban populations. Existing data show considerable variation in prevalence estimates, partly due to inconsistent diagnostic criteria, cultural stigma, and underreporting, underscoring the need for methodologically rigorous, locally contextualized epidemiological studies. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PMS among reproductive-aged women in an urban Pakistani community, delineate the dominant symptom patterns, and evaluate associations with demographic and reproductive variables to inform clinical and public health responses. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, from January to March 2024. A total of 450 women aged 18–45 years were recruited via multistage random sampling. Inclusion criteria encompassed regular menstrual cycles and absence of psychiatric or endocrine disorders. The Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) was used to assess symptom presence and severity. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0 with chi-square tests, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. Results: PMS was identified in 52.0% of participants. Somatic symptoms such as back pain (93.0%), body discomfort (91.2%), and headache (88.3%) were most prevalent, followed by mood swings (89.5%) and irritability (71.3%). No significant associations were found with age, marital status, BMI, or contraceptive use (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PMS is highly prevalent among urban Pakistani women, with somatic symptoms predominating. These findings highlight the need for routine screening and culturally adapted interventions in primary care to reduce the burden on women’s daily functioning and mental well-being.