The effectiveness of behavior modification with spasmodic and congestive dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Women reporting menstrual discomfort were diagnosed by the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire as suffering from either spasmodic or congestive dysmenorrhea. Six groups were constructed to form a (congestive vs. spasmodic) × 3 (behavior therapy therapy vs. pseudotreatment vs. waiting list) factorial design. The behavior therapy groups received relaxation combined with premenstrual imagery, and the pseudo-treatment groups engaged in open discussion of personal problems of dysmenorrhea. The Symptom Severity Scale was administered prior to and following treatment as an index of the degree to which menstrual symptoms were experienced. The major finding of clinical significance was that the behavior therapy treatment procedure was highly effective in reducing the reported symptomatology of women suffering from spasmodic dysmenorrhea whereas this approach was not effective in reducing the symptomatology of women suffering from congestive dysmenorrhea. The results are discussed in terms of the need to differentiate type of dysmenorrhea before proceeding with the treatment program herein described.