A potential relation between premenstrual symptoms and subjective perception of health and stress among college students: a cross-sectional study

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.

Predictability of pain intensity and psychological distress by suggestibility and attitude to menstruation among female university students

“…Our investigation is in consistent with literature and it showed that pain intensity can be predicted by negative attitudes to menstruation among Iranian female population same as other nationalities ((35), (10). Pain intensity among menstruating females is different person by person, but there is a signi cant difference among individuals suffering intensive pain; because females with more negative attitudes to menstruation, undergo dysfunctions and disabilities caused by menstruating pain (4). Attitudes to menstruation is so much effective on precepted menstruating pain that females with more negative attitudes to menstruation can't pro t therapeutic goals of pain treatments (30).…”

“…The severity of symptoms can vary by individual and by month (5). PMS symptoms start 5 to 11 days before menstruation and normally go away while menstruation begins (4).…”

“…It should be mentioned that (PMS) can worsen menstruating women's quality of life and social life (20), (5). (PMS) may adversely affect physical and social activities and interfere with interpersonal relationships and work productivity, and nally in uence the quality of life (4). (PMS) is an important di culty which decreases women's self-con dence, impairs physical, social and mental health, causes the labor loss, negatively affects the daily life, social activities, family relationships, sleep quality, attendance on lessons and academic achievement and consequently decreases the quality of life.…”

Increased Incidence of Premenstrual Syndrome in Females with Palmar Hyperhidrosis

“…High-frequency HRV reduction is shown in PMS with depression [22]. College students have more negative health subjective perceptions and stress associated with the intensity of PMS [23]. Our study found that anxiety or depression increased the risk of PMS two-fold.…”

Connecting the Dots Between Mental and Menstrual Health

“…Additionally, in 2019, Matsumoto et al reported a higher prevalence of severe or extremely severe psychosocial symptoms among women who consider themselves "unhealthy and stressed" during their MC than among those who consider themselves "healthy and non-stressed" [6].…”