Sexual Assault History and Premenstrual Distress in Two General Population Samples

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of sexual assault history and circumstances with self-reported premenstrual distress. Data from two survey data sets, the National Study of Health and Life Experiences of Women (NSHLEW) and the North Carolina Epidemiologic Catchment Area study (NC-ECA), were combined using meta-analysis. In NSHLEW, the mean age was 42.0 years (range 21–86); 10% were African American, 82.9% were European American, and 7.1% were members of other groups; mean education was 13.1 years; mean household income was $31,000; 65.5% were married; 64.5% were employed. In NC-ECA, the mean age was 30.5 years (range 19–57); 42.8% were African American, 55.3% were European American, and 1.9% were members of other groups; mean education was 12.9 years; mean household income was $21,500; 60.3% were married; 74.8% were employed. Premenstrual distress, as measured by one item in NSHLEW and a seven-symptom scale incorporating severity ratings in NC-ECA, was the main outcome measure. Women with a history of sexual assault had more than a twofold increase in risk for premenstrual disturbance when demographic characteristics were controlled (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.65, 3.47). This increased risk persisted when depression was controlled (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.49, 3.33). Women who had been assaulted repeatedly by the same offender were at higher risk than other assaulted women (OR = 2.91,95% CI = 1.38,6.12). Premenstrual distress is more common among women who have been sexually assaulted, especially among women who have been assaulted repeatedly by the same offender. Increased rates of depression among sexually assaulted women do not account for this association.