Association Between Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Menstruation-Related Symptoms (MRS), and Physical Activity Participation Among Young Adult Women

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual-related symptoms (MRS) can have an unpleasant effect on women that negatively influence their ability to carry out regular activities including physical activity, exercise, and sport participation. Therefore, this article aims to investigate the prevalence and association of PMS and MRS toward young adult women’s physical activity participation. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that surveyed 131 young female adults aged 18-30 years old using a web-based online questionnaire made up of the sociodemographic section, and items from the Premenstrual Syndrome Questionnaire (PMS-Q), Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQSF). Results: Majority of the participants experienced mild degree of PMS severity (85.5%) and moderate degree of MRS frequency (66.4%). Higher severity of PMS was found, significant but weakly associated with higher physical activity participation (r = 0.184, p<0.05). However, frequency of MRS was not associated with levels of physical activity participation (r =-0.093, p>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings show association between both PMS and MRS toward the young female adults’ physical activity participation levels. Further investigation with bigger sampling and wider age groups should be conducted to ascertain the findings.