How does premenstrual syndrome change in women during wartime compared to peacetime?

The article presents our own research and literature data regarding changes in hormonal status and mental disorders in premenstrual syndrome in women of reproductive age under martial law. The aim of the study is to study changes in hormonal homeostasis and mental health in women under martial law. Materials and methods. 76 patients with PMS who consulted a gynecologist (35 of them – before martial law and 41 – after the full-scale invasion) and 160 healthy individuals (68 of them – before martial law and 92 – during martial law) were examined. The levels of serotonin, prolactin, FSH, LH, cortisol were determined in the blood serum in the first phase of the menstrual cycle; the content of estradiol and progesterone – in the first and second phases of the menstrual cycle; dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline – in daily urine. The level of anxiety was studied using the PSS-10 scale, neuroticism – using the G. Eysenck scale, depression – using the hospital HADS scale, asthenia – using the MFI-20, and the quality of life was assessed using the standard CQLS questionnaire. Results of the study. Changes in the physical and mental state of healthy women of reproductive age during martial law compared to peacetime were established. In patients with PMS, compared to peacetime, there was a 1.1–1.4-fold increase in loss of emotional control, manifestations of increased irritability/aggression, headache, peripheral edema, swelling of the mammary glands and dermatological skin changes, a 1.5–1.7-fold decrease in working capacity and decreased self-esteem, an increased frequency of depressed mood and loss of interest in everything, and a 2.1-fold increase in anxiety and sleep disorders. The changes in the level of sex hormones and stress hormones in women with PMS during martial law and a significant difference in these indicators vs. results before martial law and in healthy women, indicated a violation of the homeostasis of the hormonal system, which may result in changes in the psychological state. During martial law, in contrast to peacetime, stress indicators in patients with PMS significantly increased to moderately perceptible, neuroticism – to high emotional instability, and integral assessment of asthenia – to an average level; depression indicators were subclinically pronounced, and quality of life indicators decreased. Conclusion. The negative impact of stressful situations during martial law on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy women was revealed, which was manifested by the imbalance of ovarian steroid hormones. In patients with PMS during martial law, a significant difference in the content of sex hormones and stress hormones was found as compared with the results before martial law, indicating a violation of the homeostasis of the hormonal system, which may result in changes in psychological state. In healthy individuals during martial law, the score of stress, depression and integral assessment of asthenia significantly increased compared to peacetime, the indicators of neuroticism and integral assessment of asthenia increased, and the quality of life decreased.

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