Progressive relaxation exercises were given to female students who scored 111 and above on the PMS scale and were selected by randomization for the exercise group. The exercises were applied to those who participated in the study, met the inclusion criteria, and were able to participate in the study for 8 weeks. In the study, progressive relaxation exercises were applied by the researcher to the students in the exercise group with PMS complaints in the first three days of their first menstrual cycle.

Control group standard care group

One of the techniques employed to mitigate the prevalence of PMS complaints in women during this period is progressive relaxation exercises (PRE). It is one of the most preferred options due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. Over the course of numerous years of research, progressive relaxation has been validated as an efficacious approach for regulating muscle tension. These exercises are performed to facilitate the distinction between tension and looseness in the body and to enable the individual to relax on her own in daily life. PRE involves the voluntary, systematic tension and relaxation of large muscle groups in the human body. PRE reduces anxiety levels by reducing muscle tension. It also provides the individual with a sense of profound rest, renewal, and rebirth.

It is a 44-item Likert-type scale developed by Gençdoğan (2006) that measures the severity of premenstrual symptoms. The scale has nine subscales, and the "PMSS total score" consisting of the scores related to the subscales and the total of the scale is obtained. The application of PMSS is done by retrospectively evaluating the person's status "one week before menstruation". The lowest score that can be obtained from the scale is 44 and the highest score is 220. The higher the score, the more intense the premenstrual syndrome symptoms are considered. The highest score that can be obtained for the total score is 220, 50% of which is 110 points. Therefore, those who score 111 and higher have PMS in terms of total score.

The scale was developed by Diener et al. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was determined

The scale was developed by Beck et al. to determine the incidence of anxiety and anxiety symptoms experienced by individuals. The scoring of the measurement, which consists of 21 items, varies between 0-3. The scale was adapted into Turkish by Ulusoy et al. As a result of studies conducted with individuals presenting with psychological complaints