Does anemia make PMS symptoms worse?

Medical definitions of PMS (Pre Menstrual Syndrome) are limited to a consistent pattern of emotional and physical symptoms occurring only during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle that are of "sufficient severity to interfere with some aspects of life. A number of medical conditions are subject to exacerbation at menstruation which leads the patient to believe that she has PMS, while the underlying disorder may be some other problem, such as anaemia, hypothyroidism, eating disorders and substance abuse.The aim of the study is to find the effect of anaemia on severity of symptoms of PMS. We would like to formulate a screening test to differentiate if the patient is having PMS or the symptoms are just an exacerbation of anaemia. Method: For this we have taken 40 females of age group 16-20 who have reported symptoms of PMS. Haemoglobin of each subject was measured and a questionnaire containing 15 symptoms were given to each one of themand asked to fill the severity of symptoms. During Period A at least 4 days before menstrualperiod and the first couple of days of starting of menses and Period B during rest of the month .The students in anaemic group were given dietary and iron supplements for 2 months and were again asked to fill the questionnaire. Result: The severity of symptoms of PMS in anaemic group (9.1, S.D. 0.91) is found to be more than non-anaemic group). (12.3, S.D. 0.86).Increase in symptoms severity was 127% among girls with anaemia while in non-anaemic group was 586% from period B to period A. After supplements for 2 months to anaemic subjects decrease in severity was profound in period B. In subjects whom the increase in severity from period B to A was less than 100%, experienced 73% decrease in severity score after supplements. Conclusion: Many symptoms of anaemia and PMS are similar. Anaemia can lead to increase in severity of PMS. In some girls anaemia can be confused with PMS. We observed that subjects having anaemia, symptoms were present throughout the month .Decrease in severity of symptoms after supplements suggest anaemia as an aggravating factor in PMS. Lesser the increase in symptoms from period B to A, more are the chances that the symptoms are caused due to anaemia rather than PMS. This can be used as a screening method to prevent misdiagnosis of PMS.

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