PERCEIVED CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROMEAMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES IN UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN,NIGERIA

Abstract

Premenstrual syndrome occurs in days leading up to women’s menstruation and it has a number of physical and
emotional symptoms, which have significant impact on daily life including academic performance and social
interactions. The objectives of the study examined if hormonal fluctuation and genetic factor are perceived causes,
and if emotional distress is an effect of premenstrual syndrome among female undergraduates in University of
Ilorin. Descriptive research of the survey type, involving 391 female undergraduates, was adopted for the study.
A structured questionnaire, validated by three experts and tested for reliability which was considered reliable, was
used for data collection. Chi-square statistics were employed for data analysis @0.05 level of significance. The
findings of the study were that hormonal fluctuation (ᵪ
2=153.184, p<0.05), and genetic factor (ᵪ
2=143.442, p<0.05)
are significantly perceived causes of premenstrual syndrome and emotional distress (ᵪ
2=159.013, p<0.05) is
significantly perceived effect of premenstrual syndrome. The study concluded that hormonal fluctuation and
genetic factor are causes while emotional distress is an effect of premenstrual syndrome as perceived by female
undergraduates in University of Ilorin. It was recommended that female undergraduates should be educated on
hormonal changes and provided with access to medical consultations for hormonal regulation.