Survey study, 1993
Which menstrual symptoms are most common and how do lifestyle and age affect them?
Bloating, backache, and headache are the most common. Symptoms vary significantly based on education level, whether you live in a city or rural area, age, and weight, suggesting both biology and lifestyle matter.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 502 women not seeking medical treatment for menstrual symptoms, examining the frequency and severity of physical and emotional symptoms and how they relate to lifestyle factors.
What they found
The most frequent symptoms were abdominal bloating, backache, headache, constipation, low abdominal pain, fatigue, and depression-related symptoms. Some increased during the late luteal phase. Rural women without schooling reported more headache, backache, sadness, insecurity, restlessness, and weakness. Urban women with schooling reported more breast tenderness, abdominal pain, irritability, and depression. Younger women reported increased appetite, lack of concentration, and insecurity. Heavier women reported leg cramps, swollen feet, and lack of coordination.
What it means for you
Menstrual symptoms depend on both biology and lifestyle. Factors like education, location, age, and weight shape which symptoms you experience. The study is cross-sectional, so we can't tell whether lifestyle causes different symptoms or whether different symptoms affect lifestyle choices.
502
women studied
About the study
- Original title
- Association of physical and emotional symptoms with the menstrual cycle and life-style
- Authors
- Huerta-Franco MR, Malacara JM
- Journal
- The Journal of reproductive medicine
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 502
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8331624/
Topics
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