Effect of Caffeine on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) among Female Students in Nursing and Midwifery Department at An-Najah National University

Supervisor

Dr. Mohammed Dwikat

Abstract

Background

Premenstrual disorders characterized by a cluster of somatic and psychological symptoms of varying severity that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve during menses. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common cyclic disorder of young and middle-aged women, and is characterized by emotional and physical symptoms that consistently occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It affects 20 to 32 percent of premenopausal women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) currently recommends that people who experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) avoid caffeine consumption. However, as evidence exists that women with PMS tend to consume more caffeine than those who do not. On the other hand, there are studies that suggest that there is no association.

Aim

aim of the study is to determine the contribution of caffeine to premenstrual syndrome symptoms experienced in menstruating female college students at the nursing and midwifery department at An-Najah national university.

Study design and Methodology

Quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study, include 219 female students in an-najah national university, in nursing midwifery department. The reliability of our questionnaire Cronbach’s alpha .665, that contain different parts like demographic , caffeine consumption , PMS symptoms , methods to alleviate symptoms.

Result and conclusion

The majority of the surveyed population represented age group of 18-20 years (50.2%), 95% were single. I t was determined that 88% of women reported experiencing at least one PMS symptom. 79.5% Female students who had previous known about PMS, most source was university by 32%. Most consumed caffeine-containing product was cappuccino/Nescafe. Most symptoms reported were lack of energy, abdominal bloating, and negatively effect of relationship with family. We found there are significant association between PMS and caffeine consumption, that support other studies.

Keywords

Premenstrual, Premenstrual syndrome, caffeine intake