Prevalence of Perimentrual Symptoms in Employed Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of perimenstrual symptoms in professionally employed women. Questionnaires were administered to all female nurses working at least 32 hr/wk in 7 different hospitals on the West Coast between October, 1987 and June, 1988. Of the 760 respondents, 594 were currently menstruating and met inclusion criteria. Symptoms frequently experienced by a majority of women included weight gain/swelling, anxiety/tension/irritability, fatigue, cramps, breast pain, mood swings, and food cravings. Symptoms were more prevalent in women under 30 years. Compared to white women, fewer Asians reported cramps and weight gain/swelling. More single women reported food cravings and depression/crying. Parity, cycle regularity, menses duration, and endometriosis were associated with perimenstrual cramps. Fewer women over 30 yrs experienced skin disorders and depression/crying. The only symptom experienced by more than 60% of women in all age groups was weight gain/swelling.

Longitudinal Changes in Fatigue and Energy During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

“…Fatigue often is identified as a component of premenstrual symptoms (Lee & Rittenhouse, 1991;Sampson & Prescott, 1981;Woods et al, 1982) and menopausal symptoms (Lee & Taylor, 1996). In addition, persons living with chronic illnesses often report fatigue in association with anemia, diabetes, inflammation, or thyroid dysfunction (Ellis, 1984;Hall, Kendall, & Smith, 1984;Havard, 1985;Poteliakhoff, 1981;Straus et al, 1985;Sugarman & Berg, 1984).…”

A Theoretical Proposal for Late Luteal Phase Behavioural Changes in an Evolutionary Context

“…A possible consequence of the proposed evolutionary perspective for current human societies is that the incidence of LLBC should decrease with increasing age. There are several reports indicating that LLBC is more common in younger women compared to older (non-menopausal) women (Deuster et al, 1999;Cenac et al, 1987;Ramcharan, Love, Fick, & Goldfin, 1992;Woods et al, 1982;Gannon, Luchetta, Pardie, & Rhodes, 1989;Lee and Rittenhouse, 1991;Gaulrapp, Backe, & Steck, 1995;Kaur et al, 2004 and references therein). Also, parity in a relationship is expected to increase with increasing parental/relationship age; and, in this respect, lower parity has been associated with more pronounced LLBC (Woods et al, 1982;Kaur et al, 2004 and references therein).…”

Differences in perimenstrual symptoms between cocaine‐abusing and non‐cocaine‐abusing women

“…The MDQ has been widely used in the United States and in Europe to document the prevalence and severity of PMS symptoms (4,(9)(10)(11)(12). Psychometric studies have documented the reliability and content validity of the MDQ, and indicate that it has a high level of consistency and test-retest reliability (8,13,14).…”

“…PMS is experienced to some degree by 30-40% of women (3) and approximately 10% of women experience severe PMS (4). The impact of PMS on affected women has been difficult to quantify, but there is recorded incidence of marital 1 University of Texas Houston, Health Science Center School of Nursing, 1100 Holcombe, Room 5.534B, Houston, Texas 77030.…”