Survey study, 2002
What characteristics do women seeking PMS treatment share?
Most have other psychiatric conditions, and over one-third have a psychiatric disorder that worsens before their period.
What they did
150 women visiting a PMS clinic were assessed. 110 were evaluated using diagnostic criteria, a PMS questionnaire, and a psychiatric interview. Daily symptom records tracked women when PMDD was suspected.
What they found
110 women (73 percent) met PMS criteria. Most common symptoms were minor psychological discomfort, muscle tension, and aches or pains. 129 women (86 percent) had other psychiatric disorders diagnosed. Of those 129, 48 (37 percent) reported that a previous psychiatric condition worsened before their period.
What it means for you
Women with PMS often have mood and other psychiatric conditions. Over one-third experience worsening of their psychiatric condition before their period, suggesting the menstrual cycle affects existing mental health conditions. Limitations include that only women seeking treatment at one clinic were included (not women with PMS in general), only Taiwan, small sample, and no control group.
110
met PMS criteria
86%
had other psychiatric disorders
37%
had worsening before period
About the study
- Original title
- Characteristics of women seeking treatment for premenstrual syndrome in Taiwan
- Authors
- Hsiao MC, Liu CY, Chen KC et al.
- Journal
- Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 110
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2002.01265.x
Topics
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