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Randomised trial, 1990

Does education about PMS help reduce premenstrual symptoms?

Yes. Women who received education had fewer anxiety and appetite symptoms, fewer severe depression and water retention symptoms, and fewer days with any symptoms.

Moderate study design 47 employed women with moderate to severe PMS

What they did

47 employed women with moderate to severe PMS were randomly assigned to control or education groups. The education group participated in a PMS education program. Both groups recorded 19 symptoms daily using Abraham's Menstrual Symptom Diary.

What they found

Participants in the education program had fewer occurrences of anxiety and appetite symptoms, fewer severe water retention and depression symptoms, and fewer total days with symptoms than women in the control group.

What it means for you

Client education appears to help women manage PMS symptoms and improve health. The study used a convenience sample rather than random recruitment, and specific improvement percentages were not reported. These findings should be confirmed in larger studies.

47

women

19

symptoms tracked daily

4

symptom categories

About the study

Original title
Effects of a premenstrual syndrome education program on premenstrual symptomatology
Authors
Seideman RY
Journal
Health care for women international
Year
1990
Study design
Randomised trial
Participants
47
What was tested
Education program about PMS

Topics