~ 459 ~ International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2016; 3(5): 459-462 P-ISSN: 2394-1685 E-ISSN: 2394-1693 Impact Factor (ISRA): 5.38 IJPESH 2016; 3(5): 459-462 © 2016 IJPESH www.kheljournal.com Received: 18-07-2016 Accepted: 19-08-2016 Chandana Eswar Research Scholar, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University Bangalore- 560056, Karnataka, India Sundar Raj Urs Professor, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University Bangalore - 560056, Karnataka, India Correspondence Chandana Eswar Research Scholar, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University Bangalore- 560056, Karnataka, India Menstruation: Level of awareness on premenstrutation and the prevalence of menstrual syndromes among college going women athletes and non-athletes Chandana Eswar and Sundar Raj Urs Abstract This study assesses the level of awareness of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and the prevalence of menstrual syndromes in college going women athletes and non athletes. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the respondents socio-economic and physical activity profile, details of their menstrual cycle and awareness on PMS. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was incorporated in this to understand prevalence of menstrual syndrome across the different phases of menstruation. Forty two students in pre university from BMS College for Women, Bangalore, aged between 15-17 years were selected of which 30 were athletes and 12 were non-athletes. The results showed that none of the students except for one was aware about PMS, yet prevalence results showed that students had reported symptoms during all three phases of menstrual cycle. However, comparing results among athletes and non-athletes, it was seen that there was not much of a difference in symptoms reported during the Premenstrual and Intermenstrual phases, where as there was a prominent difference in Pain and Control reported during Menstrual phase. The study highlights the need to increase the awareness among students about menstruation and it also shows the importance of including physical activity in daily routine for a healthy lifestyle. Keywords: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), awareness, prevalence, psycho-physiological symptoms 1. Introduction India has one of the fastest growing populations in the world, Girls below 19 years of age comprise one quarter of India’s rapidly growing population. In the period of adolescence, individuals go through physical and psychological maturity and acquire their adult identity and hence special attention and care is required. Menstruation is one of the most significant phases of a women's life. On an average a women menstruates quarter of her fertile life, during this period she is able to bear children. Menstruation is a natural monthly cycle associated with reproduction in humans and other mammals during which vaginal discharge and psycho-physiological discomfort occurs. The bleeding can last from two to seven days. Menstruation is experienced by women between puberty and menopause and can start between the age of 8 and 18 and last until ages 40 to 60 years. The menstrual cycle on an average is about 28 days, though it can vary considerably from one individual to another. The menstrual cycle consists of three phases - Menstrual phase, which lasts for 2 - 7 days is when the blood flows; Premenstrual phase, lasts for 5-10 days prior to the menstrual phase and usually go away once menstruation occurs, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) can affect menstruating women of any age and the effect is different for each woman; and Intermenstrual phase is the remainder of the cycle. Each phase of the menstrual cycle has a different function and are regulated by several hormones, which can explain the variations in cycle length. Change in hormones during menstruation, chemical changes in the brain, stress and emotional problems, low vitamins and minerals level, food habits and lifestyle may make it worse. Increased family tension, poor knowledge and poor experience with menstruation, lack of acceptance of the feminine psychological role in women leads to inability of her to cope with her daily life, with a drop in her level of productivity and absence of interest in any kind of social interactions which has a huge impact on her emotional wellbeing.