Abstract
BackgroundA majority of women from all cultures and socioeconomic levels experience myriad symptoms known as premenstrual syndrome during the days prior to menstruation. The present study investigated commonly reported symptoms in the premenstrual phase among college students. The authors further scrutinized potential factors, including subjective perceptions of health, which may be related to the premenstrual-symptom constellation.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey, which included 200 participants (mean age: 19.8 ± 0.1 years old). The subjects completed a rating of their premenstrual experiences relative to 46 symptoms in eight categories of the self-reporting menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ) to evaluate the prevalence and severity of premenstrual symptoms. The participants also answered a standardized health questionnaire regarding subjective perceptions of health, self-rating stress, lifestyle, and demographic variables.ResultsRegardless of severity, the 10 symptoms most often occurring among the participants included skin disorders, irritability, fatigue, mood swings, general aches and pains, lowered school or work performance, backache, painful breasts, weight gain, and swelling. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed subjective perception of health (β = 0.28; p < 0.001) and self-rating stress (β = 0.18; p = 0.008) as the factors most strongly related to the MDQ total scores. In addition, the 19 women who evaluated themselves as “unhealthy and stressed” had greater prevalence of severe or extremely severe physical (general aches and pains) and psychosocial symptoms (confusion, lowered school or work performance, decreased efficiency, loneliness, anxiety, restlessness, mood swings, and depression), compared to the healthy and non-stressed women.ConclusionsThe present study indicates the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms, regardless of severity and number, among college students and suggests that negative subjective perceptions of health and stress may be related to the intensity of premenstrual symptomatology.
Highlights
A majority of women from all cultures and socioeconomic levels experience myriad symptoms known as premenstrual syndrome during the days prior to menstruation
Even when the severity of symptoms does not reach the diagnostic criteria of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) [3], the symptomatology could impact an individual’s interpersonal relationships, social interactions, occupational activities, and productivity for her entire reproductive-age life [1, 2]
Epidemiological surveys found a certain percentage (7.7–26.6%) of college students suffering from PMDD—a severe form of PMS defined as a distinct premenstrual affective disorder [29, 30]
Summary
A majority of women from all cultures and socioeconomic levels experience myriad symptoms known as premenstrual syndrome during the days prior to menstruation. The present study investigated commonly reported symptoms in the premenstrual phase among college students. The authors further scrutinized potential factors, including subjective perceptions of health, which may be related to the premenstrual-symptom constellation. In the late luteal phase, for instance, a majority of women experience at least some degree of disharmony of mind and body. This is commonly termed premenstrual syndrome (PMS)—a regular late-luteal recurrence of diverse nonspecific physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms, which usually abates shortly after the onset of menses [1, 2]. After more than half a century of examining the subject, research has yet to clarify which symptoms most frequently occur and what types of factors worsen premenstrual complaints, which can start early in the teenage years and commonly occur into the twenties [2, 5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
