<![CDATA[Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by physical and psychological symptoms occurring before menstruation that may interfere with daily activities, social functioning, and academic performance. Academic stress is one psychological factor that may be associated with PMS symptoms among female students. Purpose: To determine the relationship between academic stress and PMS symptom severity among female students in the Communication Studies Program. Method: This quantitative study used a descriptive-correlational design with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 122 female students were selected using purposive sampling. Academic stress was assessed using the Perceived Sources of Academic Stress (PSAS) questionnaire, which demonstrated a validity value of 0.90 and Cronbach's alpha of 0.805. PMS symptoms were assessed using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), with a validity value of 0.85 and Cronbach's alpha of 0.91. Data were analysed using univariate analysis and the Spearman rank correlation test. Results: Most respondents experienced moderate academic stress (109; 89.3%), followed by low (8; 6.6%) and high (5; 4.1%) stress levels. Regarding PMS symptoms, 74 respondents (60.7%) experienced moderate symptoms, followed by mild (43; 35.2%) and severe symptoms (5; 4.1%). Spearman rank analysis showed a significant positive relationship between academic stress and PMS symptom severity (p = 0.018; r = 0.214), indicating a weak positive correlation. Conclusion: Academic stress was significantly and positively associated with PMS symptom severity among female students, although the strength of the relationship was weak. Stress management and menstrual health education may be considered as part of student support initiatives. Keywords: Academic Stress; Female Students; Premenstrual Syndrome.]]>
