Premenstrual Syndrome Symptomatology Research Articles

Use of alternative and complementary therapies in premenstrual syndrome

Introduction: premenstrual syndrome deals with a number of symptomatology which, although it is true, affects the daily life of the women who suffer from it more severely.Objective: to analyze the efficacy of the use of alternative and complementary therapies for premenstrual syndrome.Methods: we conducted a systematic review focused on information on alternative and complementary therapies for premenstrual syndrome.Results: the use of alternative and complementary therapies such as phytotherapy, acupuncture, auriculotherapy, reflexology, yoga, aromatherapy have shown changes against premenstrual syndrome symptomatology such as mastalgia, headache, dizziness, vomiting, among others.Conclusions: alternative and complementary therapies are used by women suffering from premenstrual syndrome as a first option in their treatment

Premenstrual Syndrome and Exercise: A Narrative Review

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a complex physiological and psychological condition that affects a significant number of women during their reproductive years. Although the exact etiology of PMS remains unclear, its symptoms, including mood swings, bloating, irritability, and fatigue, can significantly impair the quality of life for affected individuals. The management of PMS traditionally involves pharmacological interventions; however, emerging evidence suggests that exercise may offer a valuable non-pharmacological approach to alleviate PMS symptoms. This narrative review aims to explore the proposed etiology, prevalence, and impact PMS has on women as well as examine the literature through which exercise can positively influence PMS symptoms. While the existing literature on exercise and PMS is limited and inconclusive, several studies have reported promising results. Regular exercise has been associated with a reduction in physical and psychological symptoms of PMS including pain, fatigue, mood disturbances, and water retention. Furthermore, exercise has demonstrated its potential to enhance overall well-being and mitigate the negative effects of PMS on daily functioning. Further research is warranted to elucidate the optimal exercise prescription, duration, and intensity required to maximize the benefits and improve the understanding of exercise mechanisms on PMS symptomatology.

Moving online: Implementation of virtual sessions of physical activity and movement training as a therapeutic approach to premenstrual symptoms

BackgroundAerobic exercise and movement training improve premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms in women. However, the data is still preliminary, and online-based training has not been evaluated yet. Thus, this pilot study aims to assess the workability and usefulness of an online protocol based on aerobic exercise and movement training as an intervention for premenstrual symptoms. MethodsA sample of 30 women from the general population was enrolled in this study, with an average age of 28.27 ± 9.35, and an average BMI of 23.47 ± 3.42 kg/m2. A total of 29 women completed an eight-week online protocol consisting of 30-min aerobic exercises twice a week, as well as a weekly 30-min movement training protocol. A psychological evaluation was conducted at the baseline and after completing the training via the patients’ health questionnaire, the body weight image and self-esteem questionnaire, and the premenstrual symptoms screening tool, looking for changes in well-being and specific symptoms related to menses. ResultsSignificant improvements in PMS (p = .015) and mood (p = .011) were recorded, with specific mood effects related to PMS symptomatology. The patients provided positive feedback on the protocol, and adherence was optimal. ConclusionThe effectiveness of a combination of aerobic and isometric exercises was confirmed as a valuable tool in improving women's well-being and reducing premenstrual symptomatology, even if the protocol is delivered online, which tends to be more affordable for the participants than in-presence sessions. Future studies might assess the difference between online programs and face-to-face interventions.

Licit Substance Use and Premenstrual Syndrome Symptom Severity in Female College Students.

Introduction:Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects the majority of women and is characterized by physical, behavioral, and mood symptoms, which can have a profound impact on quality of life. PMS symptoms have also been linked to licit substance use. This study examined the relationships between daily/problem use (DPU) of caffeine (Caf+), alcohol (Alc+), and tobacco (Cig+) and PMS symptomology in a sample of college women.Methods:Participants (N = 196) completed an anonymous one-time health survey. Demographic, PMS symptomatology, and DPU of licit substance variables were examined. Independent t-tests compared PMS symptom scores in women with and without Caf+, Cig+, and Alc+ use. One-way analysis of variances examined the associations between PMS symptom severity and number of DPU-positive substances.Results:PMS subscale severity (pain [F(2,190) = 4.47, p = 0.013], affective [F(2,192) = 8.21, p < 0.001], and water retention [F(2,191) = 13.37, p < 0.001]) and total PMS symptom severity [F(2,189) = 10.22, p < 0.001] showed a dose response effect, with the number of licit substances with DPU significantly associated with PMS symptom severity.Conclusions:This study findings provide important new information about the relationship between PMS symptoms and at-risk substance use. These are cross-sectional data, however, and affirm a need for longitudinal research to better understand the associations, with a focus on potential benefits of education and intervention.

Premenstrual syndrome symptomatology among married women of fertile age based on methods of contraception (hormonal versus non-hormonal methods of contraception).

Introduction:Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to the cyclic occurrence of a set of disturbing physical, emotional or behavioral alterations that are of sufficient severity to interfere with interpersonal relations and routine life. Normal variations in gonadal estrogen and progesterone lead to biochemical reactions in the brain, resulting in PMS symptoms. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of PMS and PMDD signs among married women of fertile age (MWFA) based on the methods of birth control.Method and Materials:In a descriptive study, a number of 400 married women referring to 20 family healthcare clinics that use contraceptive methods were recruited and PMS questionnaire were administered to them.Results:From 400 subjects, 205 took oral contraceptive pills (hormonal methods of contraception) and 195 used other birth control methods (non-hormonal method). A number of 345 subjects (86.25%) at least experienced one PMS symptom and 55 subjects (13.75%) did not report any symptoms. Of those who use hormonal contraceptives (HCs), 182 (88.8%) reported PMS symptoms and 23(11.2) lacked any symptoms.Conclusion:About 86% of the subjects showed moderate to severe of PMS symptoms. Although using hormonal contraceptive method can theoretically reduce PMS symptoms, such effect was not observed in this study. The results of this research should be generalized with caution. Future studies are suggested.

Premenstrual Symptomatology, Alcohol Consumption, and Family History of Alcoholism in Women With Premenstrual Syndrome

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among family history of alcoholism (FH), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, and alcohol consumption in women with a PMS diagnosis. Participants (N = 46) were predominantly white (73%) women, of whom 17 (37%) reported multigenerational alcoholism on the paternal side (FH positive [FH+]) using the Family Alcohol and Drug Survey. Subjects recorded alcohol consumption and PMS symptoms using a daily record form for 3 consecutive months. Demographics and alcohol consumption during the follicular phase (FOL) and premenstrual phase (PREM) of the menstrual cycle did not differ by FH; however, change in drinking from FOL to PREM was greater in FH+ (mean change = 2.78 drinks/week) versus FH negative (FH-; mean change = -0.72 drinks/week) women. During PREM, FH- women reported more PMS symptomatology compared with FH+ women, and alcohol consumption during PREM was positively correlated with ratings of bloating, craving for alcohol, craving for food, and low energy in FH- but not FH+ women. Although FH+ women increased their drinking premenstrually, such use was unrelated to PMS symptom severity.

THE EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME SYMPTOMS431

This study examined the effects of a 3-month aerobic exercise training program on premenstrual syndrome (PMS). From an initial pool of 216 volunteers, 45 sedentary but healthy women (age range, 18-45 years) completed a 21-item prospective Daily Ratings Form (DRF) for the duration of the study. Upon the completion of the first DRF, all women underwent a maximal graded exercise test to assess their aerobic capacity. For the following three menstrual cycles, 9 women with PMS (x age±1SD, 31.7±9.1 years) underwent a low intensity (40% VO2max) aerobic training program, three times per week for a duration of 45 minutes for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles(PLOW). Another 10 women with PMS (x age, 29.9±9.9 years) participated in a moderate intensity (70% VO2max) aerobic training program (PMOD). Another group of 11 women with PMS (PCON) (x age, 33.7±8.7) and 15 women without PMS (NPCON) (x age, 28.8±11.2) did not participate in any exercise and remained sedentary for the following three menstrual cycles. No baseline differences existed between the four groups with respect to age,% body fat or VO2max (p>0.05). The average VO2max recorded from the pre-test was 26.67±5.3 ml.kg-1.min-1. Post-test scores indicated a significant change in VO2max in the PMOD and PLOW groups, increasing by 5.43 ml.kg-1.min-1 and 3.01 ml.kg-1.min-1, respectively (p≤0.05). Discriminant function analysis on the 21-item DRF yielded 16 PMS discriminators. Factor analysis on the 16 symptoms yielded four PMS subgroups; dysphoric mood, anxiety, hydration, and functional impairment. Repeated measures ANOVA on the mean late-luteal scores for each PMS subgroup yielded significant group differences and group x treatment interactions (p≤0.05). Subsequent analyses revealed that the women in the PLOW and PMOD groups reported significant decrease in their PMS symptomatology on all PMS subgroups across time (p≤0,05). No differences were found between the PLOW and PMOD groups across time. The results of the study indicate that aerobic exercise was successful in the diminution of all PMS symptom subgroups. Moreover, it appears that these benefits are independent of the intensity of exercise, and can be at low levels of exercise intensity.

Premenstrual syndrome; a double-blind controlled trial of desipramine and methylseopolarnine

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor desipramine and methylscopolamine bromide, a parasympatholytic agent, on late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (LLPDD), or premenstrual syndrome (PMS), as defined in DSM-III-R. Fourteen patients with PMS were assessed both retrospectively and prospectively during premenstrual cycles. All met the DSM-III-R criteria for LLPDD. They received 3 months treatment each with both desipramine and methylscopolamine in random order using a double-blind cross-over design. PMS symptomatology was significantly reduced after treatment with desipramine and methylscopolamine bromide compared with baseline, but there was no significant difference between them in efficacy. There is evidence from this study that both anticholinergic and noradrenergic pathways may be involved in the genesis of PMS.

The Premenstrual Syndrome: Perceived Stress and Coping Efficacy

Twelve women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were monitored over eight weeks to focus on the psychological processes involved in this menstrual disorder. PMS symptomatology, perceived stress, and coping efficacy were examined. Significant cyclical changes occurred in all three variables with the highest deviations appearing premenstrually. The relationship between coping strategies and the severity of symptoms was also studied. Qualitative analysis revealed themes pertinent to an understanding of PMS. It is suggested that alternative treatment options besides pharmacological intervention should be made available to PMS sufferers.

Premenstrual syndrome and locus of control.

Seventy-six women completed a three-month prospective evaluation for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). As a part of the evaluation, they completed Rotter's Locus of Control (LOC) form in the follicular phase and premenstrually. It was found that the LOC scores of women meeting criteria for PMS rose significantly (became more "external") premenstrually, while scores of women without PMS did not show significant change. In addition, the premenstrual LOC scores of women meeting criteria for PMS were significantly higher than were scores of the non-PMS women. The results are consistent with the idea that cycle related changes in self-perception occur in women demonstrating PMS symptomatology.

Emotional changes within the menstrual cycle: anxiety, anger and depression

The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes a regularly occurring increase in psychological and/or somatic symptoms in the days preceding the menstrual flow. Eight hundred and forty-four women responded to a number of questionnaires on days 12, 18, 22 and 26 of their menstrual cycle. Change scores of the four menstrual distress scales pain, water retention, impaired concentration and negative affect served to form subgroups of cases with very clear and moderately clear PMS. Scores for anxiety, anger and depression show a dramatic increase in PMS women over time. The group with a very clear PMS symptomatology consistently experiences a highly significant increase in anxiety, anger and depression. Besides, the relationships between PMS, neuroticism, anxiety, anger and depression are studied. It seems that neuroticism is less powerful in explaining the variation of anxiety, anger and depression than the subgroups derived from PMS change scores. The results suggest, especially for those who view PMS from a ‘biopsychosocial’ perspective, that it might be possible to improve the diagnosis and assessment of PMS by administering anxiety, anger and depression scales at two or more points in time.

Alteration of platelet serotonergic mechanisms and monoamine oxidase activity in premenstrual syndrome

Platelet uptake and content of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, and plasma free and total tryptophan levels were determined in patients diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and in control subjects. The V max of 5-HT uptake and 5-HT content in platelets of PMS patients were significantly decreased during the premenstrual phase (cycle days − 9 to − 1) compared to control subjects. Platelet MAO activity was significantly lower postmenstrually (cycle days 5–9) in PMS patients compared to the premenstrual phase. There were no differences in plasma free and total tryptophan levels between PMS patients and control subjects during either interval. As platelets are believed to be a peripheral model for central serotonergic neurons, the results suggest that PMS symptomatology may be related to alterations in serotonergic neuronal mechanisms.

Assessment of premenstrual symptomatology: A re-evaluation of the predictive validity of self-report

The predictive validity of subject's self-reports of the severity of four groups of symptoms associated with the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was assessed by canonical correlation of retrospective self-reports of usual symptom severities with prospectively obtained symptom severity scores from the next two cycles. Prospective scores from the second cycle were then correlated with retrospective recall scores obtained after the end of that cycle. A measure of inter-cycle variability was obtained by correlation between two consecutive sets of prospective scores. The symptoms studied were tension, depression, cognitive and physical (‘water retension’) symptoms. It was found that subjects' recall of a particular cycle predicted 72% of the variance in that cycle's prospective severity scores, indicating that the subjects correctly interpreted the severity of premenstrual symptoms and distinguished them from symptoms present in the follicular part of the cycle. Retrospective reports of usual PMS symptomatology predicted 21% of the variance in symptom scores in the next menstrual cycle and 12% of the variance in the following one. Despite this decrease, averaging the scores from the two prospective cycles improved the prediction to 23%. Prospective scores from one cycle predicted only 14% of the variance in prospective scores from the next, suggesting a high degree of inter-cycle variability. Women's self-reports of their usual PMS symptomatology reflect their experience more accurately than has been thought. The finding of marked inter-cycle variability suggests that arguments for the use of a single cycle of prospective data in PMS evaluation are fallacious and that retrospective self-report may be clinically useful and relatively valid.

Autonomic arousal and pain sensitivity in women with premenstrual syndrome at different phases of the menstrual cycle

Eleven women with a clinical diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and ten non-PMS control women were compared on physiological measures in the intermenstrual and premenstrual phases of their menstrual cycle. Heart rate (HR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were monitored during baseline conditions and in response to a stressful laboratory procedure. Analyses for HR revealed a three-way interaction (groups × phase × tests) which approached significance indicating that the PMS group was generally lower during the intermenstrual testing but was higher in the premenstrual phase. No significant differences were observed on behavioral measures (pain threshold, pain tolerance) between the groups. Pain intensity ratings were found to be overall higher in the PMS group irrespective of menstrual cycle phase. The role of cognitive-perceptual processes is discussed in the context of the acquisition and maintenance of PMS symptomatology.

The effect of alpha-tocopherol on premenstrual symptomatology: a double-blind study. II. Endocrine correlates.

In a randomized, double-blind, dose-response study, alpha-tocopherol significantly ameliorated symptoms in three of the four classes of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Alpha-tocopherol treatment had no significant effect on serum concentrations of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), estradiol, and progesterone. However, independent of treatment, a significant correlation emerged between temporal changes in one PMS category and changes in DHEA-S concentrations. These results suggest that improvement in PMS severity is not mediated through direct effects of alpha-tocopherol on serum steroids. Androgens, however, may play a role in some PMS symptomatology.