Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common health concern among women of reproductive age and is particularly prevalent among college students, where it may adversely affect academic performance, emotional well-being, and daily functioning.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted to determine the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and associated adaptive coping behaviors among nursing and non-nursing students of selected colleges in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. A non-experimental descriptive research design was adopted, and 100 students were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-structured socio-demographic questionnaire, the Premenstrual Syndrome Rating Scale (PMSRS), and the Premenstrual Syndrome Coping Mechanism Rating Scale (PMS-CMRS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.

Results: The findings revealed that the majority of both nursing and non-nursing students experienced moderate premenstrual syndrome, while severe PMS was observed in a smaller proportion, with a relatively higher occurrence among non-nursing students. Psychological symptoms were the most predominant, followed by behavioral and physical symptoms. Regarding adaptive coping behaviors, most students reported using coping strategies sometimes, with fewer students consistently practicing adaptive coping behaviors. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between marital status and PMS, while adaptive coping behavior was significantly associated with the type of students. Other selected demographic variables did not show a statistically significant association.