Severity Of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms Research Articles

The effect of group counseling based on positive psychology on the WhatsApp social media platform on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent health issue impacting women, significantly impacting their well-being and fostering a negative attitude of femininity and menstruation. We investigated the effect of group counseling based on positive psychology on the severity of PMS symptoms.MethodsParticipants in the intervention group engaged in six online sessions of group counseling focused on positive psychology via WhatsApp. Data were collected using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Questionnaire (PSST) before, immediately, and two months post-intervention. Analytical assessments were performed using SPSS 16 software using Chi-square, independent t-tests, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Comparative analyses were carried out using the Bonferroni post hoc test with a 95% confidence level.ResultsThe mean intensity of PMS symptoms in the intervention group significantly decreased from 21.60 (2.50) to 13.35 (4.727) and 14.750 (5.963) immediately and two months after the intervention; however, the difference was not significant in the control group. The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed that the effect of the intervention over time and the interaction between time and group were significant. The Eta effect size was about 0.20 and 16%, respectively (p = 0.001). According to Bonferroni post hoc test results, the difference in the mean scores of the severity of PMS symptoms before the intervention was statistically significant compared to both follow-up periods (p ≤ 0.007). However, the difference in mean scores immediately after the intervention compared to two months after the intervention was not statistically significant (p = 0.42).ConclusionUsing a positive counseling approach demonstrates efficacy in alleviating the severity of PMS symptoms in the short term. While all women can benefit from such interventions, targeting adolescents is particularly strategic, as early interventions can foster positive attitudes toward menstruation. Additionally, social media platforms like WhatsApp provide a feasible and engaging medium for adolescent health interventions. Integrating this approach into adolescent health promotion package appears to be a viable measure worthy of consideration by relevant policymakers.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials IRCT20201113049377N1, Date of Registration 2020, 12, 08.

Correlation of White Matter Microstructure MRI and Inflammatory Cytokine Alterations With Symptom Severity in Premenstrual Syndrome.

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are at increased risk for depression throughout their lives. White matter (WM) microstructure and inflammatory cytokine alterations have been proposed in its etiology. To investigate whether WM, assessed using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and inflammatory cytokine levels are altered in PMS, and to examine the relationships between WM microstructure, inflammatory cytokines, and symptom severity. Prospective. Forty-two PMS patients and 58 healthy controls (HCs), categorized according to the daily record of severity of problems (DRSP). 3-T, echo planar imaging DTI. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were measured by using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). Venous blood was collected to measure cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Symptoms were assessed by using the DRSP. Two-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the DRSP and cytokines. Abnormal DTI metrics in WM were extracted and the differences between groups were analyzed by using two sample t-tests. Spearman's correlation (r) was used to assess the relationship between DTI metrics, cytokines, and DRSP. A P-value <0.05 with FDR correction was considered statistically significant. Compared with HCs, PMS patients showed significantly lower FA in the corpus callosum and corona radiata, and significantly higher MD, AD, and RD in the corticospinal tract (CST), and significantly higher MD and RD in the anterior thalamic radiation (ATR). These differential metrics were significantly correlated with DRSP. Patients showed significantly higher IL-1β and TNF-α than HCs. Moreover, TNF-α correlated positively with MD, AD, and RD in both groups (r range, 0.256-0.315). Alterations of WM microstructure and IL-1β and TNF-α may be associated with PMS symptom severity, and TNF-α may correlate with DTI metrics of CST and ATR pathways. 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Awareness of women at reproductive age towards premenstrual syndrome and its association with psychosocial and lifestyle variables in al Qassim region

Background: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) significantly impacts women&amp;apos;s health and daily functioning. This study investigated the awareness and prevalence of PMS among women aged 15 to 40 in the Al Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. The study aimed to identify gaps in awareness and establish correlations between lifestyle choices and PMS severity. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, targeting 400 women selected through random sampling. Data were collected via an online self-assessment questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, PMS diagnostic criteria, and awareness levels. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), employing chi-square tests to explore relationships between variables. Results: The results showed no significant association between physical activity (χ2(1) = 0.48, p = 0.489), relaxation exercises (p = 0.615), and smoking (p = 1) with PMS symptoms. However, a significant association existed between depression and PMS symptoms (χ²(1) = 8.51, p = 0.004), underscoring the need for mental health interventions. Additionally, vitamin intake was significantly associated with menstrual cycle regularity, suggesting potential benefits of nutritional supplementation. These findings contributed to a deeper understanding of PMS in the context of Al Qassim&amp;apos;s cultural and environmental factors, offering valuable insights for public health initiatives and healthcare providers in developing targeted treatment strategies for affected women. Conclusion: The study examined menstrual cycle regularity and premenstrual syndrome symptoms, exploring their relationships with lifestyle factors. The research investigated how smoking, depression, physical activity, relaxation, and vitamin intake impacted these reproductive health outcomes. Regular exercise and relaxation showed no significant effects, but there was a substantial correlation between depression and the severity of PMS symptoms.

Known Methods to Relieve Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): A Review

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of physical and psychological symptoms that occurs during the premenstrual period. It is a commonly occurring condition. The presence of PMS symptoms is associated with a deterioration in patients’ quality of life and affects their daily lives. In recent years, ongoing research has focused on identifying effective methods of alleviating PMS symptoms through both non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies. Non-pharmacological methods used include dietary changes, physical activity and psychosocial interventions including relaxation techniques. Non-pharmacological methods appear to be a low-cost alternative to pharmacological ones. An appropriate diet rich in fruits, regular physical activity especially in the form of yoga and Pilates, and the use of relaxation and cognitive and behavioral techniques can reduce the severity of PMS symptoms. Pharmacological methods include the use of SSRI group drugs, which are the first choice for pharmacological treatment, SNRI group drugs, and drugs that affect the endocrine system, including hormonal contraception. Currently, the effect of using herbal preparations containing the extract of chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) is also being studied. It is necessary to conduct further research on the possibility of alleviating PMS symptoms both non-pharmacologically and with drugs, and to develop an optimal best practices for patients suffering from PMS symptoms.

Low doses of fluoxetine for the treatment of emotional premenstrual syndrome: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study

IntroductionThe neuroactive metabolite of progesterone, allopregnanolone (ALLO), has been implicated in premenstrual syndrome (PMS) physiopathology and preclinical studies suggested that low doses of fluoxetine increase the ALLO brain concentration. ObjectivesTo assess which low dose of fluoxetine (2 mg/d, 5 mg/d or 10 mg/d), administered exclusively during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle, has a potential effect for preventing or mitigating emotional PMS symptoms. MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, we followed 40 women (mean age = 29.7 +/- 7.4 years) with emotional PMS, during two menstrual cycles: cycle 1, without pharmacological intervention; and cycle 2, with pharmacological intervention. Participants took capsules, on average, seven days preceding the likely date of menses. We assessed the severity of PMS symptoms in both cycles using the Daily Record of Severity of Problems scale (DRSP). ResultsThere was an increase in the DRSP scores during the late luteal phase of cycle 1, confirming the diagnosis of emotional PMS. Low doses of fluoxetine (5 mg/d: 33.5%; 10 mg/d: 48.4%) reduced DRSP total score in the day before menses (day-1) at cycle 2 compared with day-1 at cycle 1. Fluoxetine 10 mg/d had the most consistent decline in emotional PMS symptoms; 70% of the participants reported a reduction greater than 40% in the DRSP score. ConclusionsLow doses of fluoxetine, which may have no or few effect on the serotonergic system, but may interfere in the progesterone metabolization, seem to have some potential to mitigate emotional PMS symptoms. While the 10 mg/d of fluoxetine had the best performance on reducing emotional PMS symptoms, the 5 mg/d dose also seems to have some effect on emotional PMS symptoms. Further larger studies will help establish the lowest effective dose of flouxetine for PMS treatment.

Investigation of premenstrual syndrome in connection with physical activity, perceived stress level, and mental status-a cross-sectional study.

The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a critical factor in women's health, which, in addition to physical inactivity, can be influenced by the body mass index (BMI), stress, and mental state, among others. The study aimed to assess the severity of PMS symptoms among young women regarding physical inactivity, BMI, mental state, and perceived stress level. A total of 198 female participants between the ages of 18-45 took part in a 6-month cross-sectional online questionnaire study. The average age of the participants was 25.37 ± 4.80 years. To assess physical activity, stress, mental state, and premenstrual symptoms, we employed standard questionnaires, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Premenstrual Assessment Form-Short Form (PAF-SF). The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 28.0 software, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. During the analysis, we observed a significant relationship (p = 0.020) between regular exercise and the severity of PMS symptoms, as well as between mental state and PMS symptoms (p < 0.001). Furthermore, our findings revealed a significant negative correlation between regular physical activity and perceived stress levels (r = -0.179; p = 0.012), as well as between regular exercise and the participants' mental state (r = -0.157; p = 0.027). Additionally, we identified a significant difference (p < 0.001) among the six subgroups formed based on the PAF-SF and average PSS questionnaire results. Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the PAF-SF case and control groups in terms of BMI averages (p = 0.019). The research findings indicate that the severity of PMS symptoms is influenced by regular physical activity, mental state, and stress.

Efficacy and Tolerability Evaluation of a Nutraceutical Composition Containing Vitex agnus-castus Extract (EVX40™), Pyridoxine, and Magnesium in Premenstrual Syndrome: A Real-World, Interventional, Comparative Study.

Background Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is a condition associated with altered hormone levels during the menstrual phase of females and is characterised by physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms that have a negative impact on the quality of life of females. The symptoms of PMS may vary between individuals, but the major complication is pain, especially during menstrual days. The current treatment strategy involves the use of hormonal therapies and analgesics for symptomatic relief, but these therapies have a risk of potential side effects. The use of herbal and nutraceutical supplements in PMS conditions is increasing due to their long-term safety and proven efficacy. The current real-world study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Ezedayz® tablets containing Vitex agnus-castus extract (EVX40™), vitamin B6, and magnesium in PMS subjects. Methodology A real-world, open-label study was conducted involving 64 participants with varied severity of PMS symptoms. Participants were categorised into Group A (N=23) receiving standard therapies, Group B (N=20) receiving Ezedayz®tablets, or Group C (N=21) receiving standard and Ezedayz®therapy. Standard therapies were provided as per physician supervision, and Ezedayz® tablets were given for 90 days. All subjects were evaluated on core symptoms of PMS like menstrual backache, menstrual cramps, joint or muscle pain, and headache using the numerical rating scale (NRS), and quality-of-life (QoL) was evaluated using a QoL questionnaire. A spontaneous reporting methodology was used to evaluate the tolerability of the therapies provided. Statistical analysis was performed as per the statistical plan. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Out of 64 participants, five were lost to follow-up, and the data of 59 participants were included in the final analysis. All groups showed improvement in all evaluated parameters, but Group B and Group C showed greater improvement at the end of the study in all evaluated parameters. The quality-of-life assessment revealed greater improvement in Group B and Group C participants compared to Group C in all evaluated QoL parameters. No serious side effects were observed in any subjects. Conclusion The results of the current study conclude that the nutraceutical composition of Vitex agnus-castus extract, vitamin B6, and magnesium is effective in reducing the severity of PMS symptoms and improving the quality of life of PMS subjects. The nutraceutical therapy provided greater relief from PMS symptoms compared to standard therapy alone, and this effect was augmented when the nutraceutical therapy was provided in combination with standard therapies. Similarly, the improvement in quality-of-life parameters was greater in subjects treated with nutraceuticals alone or in combination therapy. Despite the limitations of the study, the results of the current study are promising, and the nutraceutical composition (Ezedayz®) can be effectively used in clinical settings to control symptoms and improve the quality of life of PMS patients.

The Relationship between High Fiber Diet and Severity of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Medical Students of Pelita Harapan University

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction: &lt;/strong&gt;47.8% of women worldwide experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and 20% of women experience symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with daily activities. This occurs during the last 14 days of the menstrual cycle or luteal phase, and it is caused by hormonal fluctuations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aim: &lt;/strong&gt;This study is going to be conducted to determine the relationship between high fiber diet and the severity of premenstrual syndrome in adolescents.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Method: &lt;/strong&gt;This study used a comparative analytic categorical study with two unpaired categories with a cross-sectional study design. The research sample is female students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Pelita Harapan who met the inclusion criteria of at least 74 samples by judgmental sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire in the form of a Premenstrual Symptom Scale, Esitimated Food Record and Perceived Stress Scale with the the chi-square method, and data analysis using SPSS 24.0.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;There were 85 samples that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study. The majority of the sample came from the 2018 class (64.7%), 20 years old (61.2%), experiencing moderate stress (61.2%), and have normal body mass index (72.9%). Researcher found a p value of 0.309 (p&amp;gt; 0.05), which means that there is no significant relationship between a high-fiber diet and the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

Предменструальный синдром как проявление десинхроноза в студенческой среде

Objective. To study the prevalence and severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in female students from Khabarovsk higher education institutions and to evaluate the efficacy of using hormonal contraceptives to increase the psychological adaptation among students. Patients and methods. A voluntary online random survey including 565 female students from Khabarovsk higher education institutions was conducted between October and December 2021. The diagnosis was verified by using diary entries about the nature of existing complaints during 2–3 menstrual cycles with assessing the severity of symptoms on a three-point scale. Results. The results showed that the severity of PMS symptoms was distributed as follows: mild degree – 70.81%, moderate degree – 23.08%, severe degree – 6.11 ± 1.14%. The evaluation of the results of using drospirenone-containing contraceptive for 6 months demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of PMS symptoms (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion. PMS in female students from higher education institutions remains an important problem which has a negative impact both on general health and on the process of social adaptation in studies (54.98%) and behavior in the surrounding society (61.31%). The use of drospirenone-containing contraceptive for 6 months significantly reduced the emotional load by improving sleep, reducing irritability, aggressiveness, etc. (р &lt; 0,001). Key words: premenstrual syndrome, students, drospirenone-containing oral contraceptive

Stress and rumination in Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Identifying stable and menstrual cycle-related differences in PMS symptom severity

Since the inclusion of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) as a mood disorder in the DSM-5, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms have received more attention from researchers and clinicians. In this large-scale study, we investigated core psychological concepts relevant to mood disorder vulnerability between people with 1) no to mild, 2) moderate to severe, and 3) PMDD levels of PMS symptoms. Several trait measures related to mood disorders including depressive symptoms, feelings of stress and anxiety, and ruminative thinking were measured (single measurement, N = 380) along with state (momentary) reports of stress and stress-related perseverative thinking (measured twice, once in the follicular and once in the premenstrual/luteal phase, N = 237). We consistently observed that participants with higher severity of PMS symptoms also scored higher on depression, anxiety, stress, and rumination (trait measures). We also found consistent increases in momentary stress and stress-related perseverative ruminative thinking with increased PMS symptoms at each of our two test moments (in the middle of the follicular and premenstrual/luteal phase respectively). Interestingly, we did not find significant differences between our two test moments for any group, despite PMS being characterized by specific systems in the premenstrual/luteal phase. However, this could be due to noise surrounding the testing moments due to the temporal resolution of the questionnaires and the menstrual cycle estimation method. Nevertheless, these results suggest that stress and rumination are important psychological mechanisms to consider in PMS. Future PMS research studying stress and rumination on a day-to-day basis in combination with hormonal measures is warranted.

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.

The effect of a social network-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: a protocol of a randomized clinical trial study

BackgroundPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most widespread menstrual disorders in women of reproductive age. This recurrent syndrome is a combination of physically, mentally, or behaviorally disturbing changes occurring during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based educational intervention using social networks on PMS in female health center employees in Rudbar, Iran.Methods/designA randomized superiority controlled trial will be conducted involving 140 female employees of health centers affiliated with the Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rudbar. The study involves a block size of 4 and 6 in a randomly varied order, 140 women who meet all the inclusion criteria will be randomly and equally divided into 2 groups: the intervention and the control groups. Those in the former group will receive a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based treatment for eight consecutive weeks on the social network platform WhatsApp; however, those in the control group will not be offered any treatment except usual care practices (unprotocolized usual care). The study’s primary outcome is the severity of PMS symptoms, and the secondary outcomes include general self-efficacy, work-related quality of life, the impact of PMS on daily life, coping with the symptoms, and experiencing anxiety and depression at the beginning of the study to identify people with PMS. A daily record of the symptoms will be completed for two consecutive months by all female employees aged 20–45 years who wish to participate in the study. According to the initial screening, those with moderate to severe PMS will be included. We will use the MLwin software for the analyses. All questionnaires will be completed by both groups immediately and 8 weeks after the termination of the treatment. The data will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects modeling with random intercepts and slopes.DiscussionIt is anticipated that the findings of the present study may demonstrate the effectiveness of the cognitive behavioral therapy intervention on the severity of PMS symptoms that could guide healthcare providers in opting for suitable treatment alternatives for the syndrome.Ethics and disseminationThe research proposal is approved by the Human Ethics Committee of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (IR.QUMS.REC.1399.252). The results of this intervention trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed research journal.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20180218038789N4. Registered prospectively on October 28, 2020

Impact of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms on Sport Routines in Nonelite Athlete Participants of Summer Olympic Sports.

Most women during their lifetime experience a combination of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms (eg,menstrual cramps) before and often to the end of menstruation. However, the impact of these symptoms on sport routines (eg,performance, training absence) during phases around menstruation is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of PMS symptoms on sport routines among nonelite athletes over 3 phases related to menstruation. An online questionnaire was developed to recruit nonelite female athletes who participate in summer Olympic sports. Participants were allocated into 2 groups: those who experienced mild to moderate PMS symptoms (no-PMS) and those with severe PMS symptoms (p-PMS). Two hundred thirty-four responses from eumenorrheic women (p-PMS = 78%) were considered valid. An unpaired Student t test was conducted to compare demographic characteristics between groups and chi-square test to evaluate the impact of PMS status on sport routines between groups. A significant (P < .05) proportion of women in the p-PMS group changed their training schedule because of menstrual (55%) and premenstrual (61%) symptoms compared with the no-PMS group. Overall, all participants indicated that training (P = .01) and competitive (P < .01) performance are impacted during menstruation, followed by a greater impact (P < .05) in the p-PMS group before menstruation. The presence of PMS symptoms reduces training and competitive performance, primarily during and before menstruation, respectively. Severity of PMS symptoms was significantly associated with alterations in training schedule but not with competitive schedule.

Serum antioxidant vitamin concentrations and oxidative stress markers associated with symptoms and severity of premenstrual syndrome: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundIt has been suggested that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may derive from either elevated oxidative stress or reduced antioxidant vitamin levels in the body; however, these relationships have been minimally studied in a large cohort of healthy women. Our objective was to estimate the association between serum concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, and E) and markers of oxidative stress (F2-isoprostane) with symptoms and severity of PMS.MethodsThe BioCycle study was a prospective cohort study following 259 healthy premenopausal women aged 18–44 years for up to 2 menstrual cycles. Frequency/severity of 20 PMS symptoms were assessed via questionnaires 4 times/cycle, and antioxidant vitamins and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured up to 8 times/cycle to correspond with specific cycle phases. Generalized linear models were used to estimate associations between mean antioxidant concentrations and oxidative stress biomarkers with PMS symptoms and severity; linear mixed models were used to evaluate associations with symptom severity scores within groups (e.g. depression, cravings, pain).ResultsHigher concentrations of serum antioxidant vitamins were largely not associated with prevalence or severity of PMS symptoms. Though a few associations were observed, only associations between mean γ-tocopherol and decreased odds of swelling of the hands/feet survived adjustment for multiple comparisons (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16, 0.65, per ug/dL). However, F2-isoprostanes were associated with prevalence and severity of several symptoms specifically related to depression and cravings (depression score β = 0.07, 95% CI 0.02, 0.12, per 10 ug/dL; cravings score β = 0.16, 95% CI 0.10, 0.22, per 10 ug/dL), as well as with classification of PMS severity (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01, 1.14, per 10 pg/dL), with these associations surviving adjustment for false discovery rate.ConclusionsF2-isoprostanes, but not antioxidant vitamins, were associated with select PMS symptoms, as well as symptom and severity categories. Specific symptom relationships merit further research.

Association of Diet, Quality of Life and Premenstrual Syndrome; A Review

Premenstrual syndrome is a disorder experienced by the females of reproductive ages. The etiology of this common condition is unknown. The presentation of symptoms is highly variable all over the world. The variability in the presentation of symptoms could be linked to social and cultural effects of environment. There can be psychological, physical or behavioral characteristic manifestations linked to premenstrual syndrome. The presentation of premenstrual syndrome can effect a female’s life. Household chores, work place tasks and interpersonal relationships are effected gravely. Dietary intake of the individuals is associated with the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Intake of diet loaded with whole grains, fish, fruits, vegetables, micronutrients like vitamin B1, D and E have shown to have protective effects against the development and severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Intake of harmful food items like refined sugar, fast food, sweetened drinks, alcohol and chocolates are associated with increase in severity of the condition.

Effect of Walking on Physiological Stress in Premenstrual Syndrome:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: to investigate the effect of walking on physiological stress in premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: Thirty females with PMS were randomly distributed into two equal groups. Group (A) (n=15) received breathing exercises, while group (B) (n=15) received the same breathing exercises in addition to walking on a treadmill. The primary outcomes were serum cortisol levels, resting heart rate (HR) and resting respiratory rate (RR) to measure the level of physiological stress, while the secondary outcomes were daily record of severity of problems (DRSP) and abdominal pain assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). The outcome measures were evaluated pre-treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment. Results: Comparing both groups post-treatment revealed non-significant differences in serum cortisol levels, resting HR and DRSP (P>0.05), while there were significant reductions in both resting RR and abdominal pain VAS (P<0.05) in favour of group (B). The percentages of improvement post-treatment in serum cortisol levels, resting HR, resting RR, DRSP and abdominal pain VAS were 16.05%, 2.92%, 5.19%, 29.73% and 25.84%, respectively in group (A), while they were 25.09%, 7.05%, 15.69%, 31.43% and 55.30%, respectively in group (B). Conclusion: Walking is effective in treating premenstrual syndrome through reducing resting RR and abdominal pain intensity, as well as producing greater improvement in serum cortisol levels, resting HR and severity of PMS symptoms. Key words: Premenstrual syndrome, walking, breathing exercises, physiological stress.

Assessment of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms among Female Students in Baghdad City

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects women to extent that their quality of life, interpersonal relationships and work performance can be impaired the current study aims to assess the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome among female students and to determine the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Adescriptive study was conducted on female students in Baghdad city from august 2nd 2017 to May 30th A simple random selection of (300) female students was selected to participated in this study; (100) students from Institute of Medical Technology/Baghdad, (100) students from College of Health and Medical Technology and (100) students from Institute of Medical Technology/Al-Mansour. A self-administrative questionnaire was conducted to achieve the study objectives. The participants aged between (18-25) years with mean of age 20.19 years. Most of female students used sleep and rest to relieve the symptoms of PMS. The highest percentage (35.3%) of female students had a mild level of psychological symptoms of PMS. The highest percentage (34.3%) of female students had a moderate level of physical symptoms of PMS. The study concluded that all participants had at least one symptom of premenstrual syndrome and they affected by the physical symptoms more than the psychological symptoms.

Effect of Peppermint Oil on Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Background: Despite the mental, physical, and behavioral problems of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in reproductive women, there is no general agreement on effective treatment. Objectives: To determine the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicine capsules of peppermint oil as a novel formulation used for the severity management of PMS symptoms. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 50 high school students who were diagnosed with PMS in Babol, Iran. The subjects were divided into two groups based on blocked randomization to receive capsules of Colpermin® containing the peppermint oil (187 mg peppermint oil/0.2 mL), or placebo twice daily for 10 days, from the 15th day of one period to the first day of the next period for two cycles. The degree of PMS was assessed using Delany’s PMS checklist with 28 items as primary, at the first luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and at the third luteal phase. Results: The PMS score was decreased for the two menstrual cycles, from 30.3 ± 10.1 to 15.5 ± 6.0 in peppermint oil group and from 23.2 ± 7.0 to 20.7 ± 8.0 in the placebo group. The mean difference of the total PMS score between the two groups was -9.77; 95% CI: -12.52 to -7.02 (P < 0.0001). The number of participants needing treatment (NNT) for the peppermint oil group was approximately two compared with that of the placebo group. Conclusions: The proposed novel peppermint oil formulation was proved to be safe and may be used as an effective treatment for reducing the severity of PMS symptoms.

Regular Physical Activity, High Soy Dietary Intake and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms in Young Adult Women: A Descriptive Study

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in adolescents group is one of the most common disorder in woman at reproductive age. It substantially reduces quality of life for many women of reproductive age, with pharmaceutical treatments having limited efficacy and substantial side effects. A health lifestyle e.g. regular physical activity and high soy dietary intakes has been recommended as a method of reducing PMS symptoms. This study aims to describe the physical activity and high soy dietary intake and PMS symptoms in female students of Vocational High School 10 Surabaya. This study was designed to describe the activity level were recalled in 7x24 hour, soy dietary intake, and severity of PMS symptoms in female students that was administrated by structured questionnaires. The result showed that of all participants (n=59) were defined as having light physical activity level (88.1%), moderate level of soy dietary intake (17.22-28.38 portions per month), and mild degree of PMS symptoms (71.2%). Based on crosstabulation showed that respondences who had light physical activity experienced moderate PMS degree (8.6%), and who had high soy dietary intake experienced moderate PMS degree (8.5%). This recommendation is based on relatively little evidence, and the relationship between physical activity, soy dietary intake, and premenstrual syndrome symptoms remains unclear.

Diet quality in adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a complex of symptoms that can seriously affect the quality of life in women. It has been suggested that the nutritional status of adult women may influence the presence and/or severity of PMS symptoms. However, little is known about this association in adolescents. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between diet quality and the presence/severity of PMS symptoms in adolescents. A case-control study of 272 female students, aged 13-18 years, was conducted in a high school. PMS was diagnosed and the symptoms were recorded using Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS)-2006 in 2 consecutive months. Dietary intake was assessed with 24-hour-dietary intake recall method and Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) score was calculated as an indicator of diet quality. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were taken. PMS was diagnosed in 56.9% of the study sample. The mean HEI-2010 score was significantly lower in the PMS group (47.5 ± 23.95) when compared to the control group (53.5 ± 20.98), P = 0.034. The PMS symptoms, anxiety (P = 0.009), depressive feelings (P = 0.016) and changes in sleeping pattern (P = 0.000) were associated with lower diet quality scores in the PMS group. No significant difference in anthropometric measurements was observed between the groups. The present study suggested that adolescents with a high-quality diet might experience depressive feelings, anxiety or changes in sleeping less when compared to those with a low quality diet. Therefore, the causal relationship between diet quality and presence/severity of PMS should be investigated in further studies.