A groundbreaking study from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences has unveiled a striking connection between social media addiction and the severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among young university students. This comprehensive cross-sectional analysis sheds new light on the intertwining of digital dependency and women’s reproductive health, sparking critical discussions in the psychiatric community about lifestyle factors exacerbating PMS symptoms.
The researchers set out to quantify the prevalence of PMS among female students and explore how social media addiction (SMA), characterized by excessive and compulsive use of social platforms, influences the intensity of premenstrual symptoms. Given the overlapping adverse effects reported in both PMS and SMA—such as mood swings, anxiety, and irritability—the investigation aimed to clarify whether digital habits directly affect PMS severity.
This meticulously designed study recruited 380 female students from Hamadan University between 2023 and 2024. Participants were selected via convenience sampling encompassing both campus residents and affiliated dormitory inhabitants. They underwent detailed assessments including demographic surveys, the Social Media Addiction Scale—Student Form (SMAS-SF), and the Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (PSST). These validated instruments allowed researchers to capture nuanced behavioral tendencies alongside clinical manifestations of PMS.
Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata version 13, with rigorous significance thresholds. The primary outcome illuminated an alarming prevalence: nearly three-quarters (73.68%) of participating students suffered from PMS, while a notable 7.11% met criteria for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), the severe form of the condition often linked with debilitating psychological symptoms. Concurrently, a concerning 14.21% were classified as severely addicted to social media.
Beyond prevalence, the study’s pivotal discovery lies in the robust correlation between SMA severity and PMS incidence. A chi-square test for trend yielded a significant p-value (0.001), affirming that as dependence on social media intensifies, so too does the likelihood and severity of premenstrual symptoms. Further analysis via multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders, revealed that students with severe SMA were over five times as likely to experience PMS compared to their mild SMA counterparts (adjusted odds ratio 5.35, p=0.001).
The neuropsychological underpinnings of this association signal a complex interplay between behavioral addiction and hormonal fluctuations inherent in PMS. Excessive social media usage has been linked to heightened stress responses, disrupted sleep patterns, and reduced physical activity—all factors known to exacerbate PMS symptoms. Moreover, constant digital connectivity may amplify negative emotional feedback loops, compounding mood disorders prominent in the premenstrual phase.
These findings carry profound implications for public health and educational policies targeting student wellbeing. PMS is not merely a transient discomfort but a condition hindering academic performance, social interactions, and overall quality of life. When compounded by SMA, these effects may intensify, underscoring the urgent need for intervention strategies that address both behavioral addictions and reproductive health education.
Experts advocate for comprehensive awareness programs within university settings that educate young women about the risks of excessive social media use. Such initiatives should promote balanced digital habits, stress management techniques, and the importance of physical activity—all evidence-based methods shown to alleviate PMS severity. Emphasizing self-regulation and mindfulness in digital consumption could serve as a novel approach in mitigating the psychological burden tied to both SMA and PMS.
Furthermore, the study prompts critical examination of digital environments and their design. Algorithms engineered to maximize user engagement may inadvertently foster addictive behaviors, especially among vulnerable populations like students facing academic and emotional stressors. Reconsidering these technological drivers through a mental health lens could help in framing healthier interaction models and safeguarding users.
From a clinical perspective, these insights encourage healthcare practitioners to adopt a more holistic approach when managing PMS. Screening for social media use patterns could become an integral component of gynecological and psychiatric evaluations, guiding personalized treatment that encompasses lifestyle modifications alongside pharmacotherapy.
The study also opens avenues for future research exploring causality and long-term impacts. Longitudinal designs tracking digital behavior alongside hormonal profiles and symptom trajectories would deepen understanding of the mechanisms at play. Additionally, expanding the demographic scope beyond university students could validate these associations across broader populations.
In summary, the Hamadan study highlights an urgent yet underexplored nexus between our digital lives and women’s health. It reveals that social media addiction is not a benign phenomenon but one with tangible repercussions on physiological conditions such as PMS. Addressing this intersection stands to improve mental health outcomes and empower young women toward healthier, more balanced lifestyles.
As digital platforms continue to dominate daily routines worldwide, integrating behavioral health considerations into their use becomes imperative. Universities, healthcare providers, and policymakers must collaborate to craft informed strategies that reduce addiction risks and foster resilience, ultimately enhancing female students’ wellbeing amid the evolving challenges of modern life.
This pioneering research, published in BMC Psychiatry, resonates far beyond the medical sphere, spotlighting a societal shift where technology and biology intersect. Recognizing and responding to this dynamic will be key to future preventive and therapeutic innovations aimed at safeguarding the health of digital-native generations.
Subject of Research: The prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among university students and its association with the severity of social media addiction (SMA).
Article Title: Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome among students and the association of social media addiction with its severity in Hamadan: a cross-sectional study.
Article References:
Mousavi, S.F., Goudarz, S., Latifi, A. et al. Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome among students and the association of social media addiction with its severity in Hamadan: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Psychiatry 25, 627 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07116-4
Image Credits: AI Generated
