Menses and Stress Related Changes in Female Medical Students

Stress may alter menstruation. We studied menstrual patterns and stress in 254 undergraduate medical students. Students maintained menstrual records over six months. DASS questionnaires measured stress. In year 1 and 2 students, persisting normal cycles were 39.4% and 36.5%; normal becoming abnormal were 28.8% and 23.1%; abnormal becoming normal were 19.2% and 17.3%; persisting abnormal were 12.5% and 23.1%. Students with moderate to severe stress (20% and 21%) had less stress at six months (13% and 15%) Most students have normal menstrual patterns, and no stress. Stress if present tends to decrease with time.