Relationship between premenstrual syndrome and sleep quality among nursing and medical students

Purpose This study was performed to determine relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and sleep quality among nursing and medical students. Design and Methods This descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study was completed with 313 students attending the nursing department and medical faculty. Data were collected using the premenstrual syndrome scale (PMSS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Findings The PSQI was positively correlated with PMSS and its subscales scores. Sleep changes were the strongest predictor, followed by depressive thoughts (p < .01), depressive mood, bloating and total PMSS (p < .05) for sleep quality. Practice Implications Training should be organized about PMS for university students to provide information and skills about managing symptoms, and to increase the awareness about this syndrome. Interventional studies should be planned to increase sleep quality in PMS.