Empowering Women Through Pharmaceutical Education: A New Approach to Premenstrual Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led educational intervention in reducing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and improving self-care practices. Methods: A mixed-design study was conducted in community pharmacies in Spain between January and June 2025. First, a cross-sectional analysis determined PMS prevalence. Second, a longitudinal pre-post study was performed with women suffering from PMS. The intervention involved personalized guidance and an evidence-based educational infographic. Primary outcomes included symptom severity (measured by a numeric rating scale) and quality of life. Results: 350 women participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 23.7 ± 6.3 years (range: 17–51 years). At the six-month follow-up, the PMS group showed a significant reduction in mean pain intensity (from 6.86 to 3.26; p < 0.001) and a smaller reduction in the control group (from 4.82 to 2.88; p < 0.001), alongside improvements in irritability, insomnia, and fatigue. The proportion of women reporting a negative impact on quality of life decreased from 97.0% to 60.8% (p < 0.001). Oral contraceptive use was identified as a protective factor (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.17–0.65). Conclusions: Educational interventions led by community pharmacists are effective in significantly alleviating PMS symptoms and enhancing women’s quality of life. Practice Implications: Community pharmacists are strategically positioned to identify women with PMS and provide evidence-based education. Implementing structured protocols and visual tools in pharmacies can optimize symptom management and promote self-care.