Cohort study, 1990
What is the prevalence of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder in young university women?
4.6% of young university women met diagnostic criteria. Women in the general population with the disorder reported significantly fewer symptoms than those seeking medical treatment.
What they did
217 university women aged 17-29 rated symptoms of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder over 90 days. The authors identified those meeting diagnostic criteria and compared them to women seeking treatment for PMS.
What they found
10 women (4.6%) met diagnostic criteria in two menstrual cycles. These women reported significantly less fatigue and impaired concentration and somewhat less severe depression compared to 25 women who sought treatment.
What it means for you
Severe premenstrual symptoms are uncommon in young university women who do not seek help. Those seeking treatment appear to have more bothersome symptoms. The study was limited to one population of university women.
4.6%
Prevalence in sample
217
Total women studied
90
Days of symptom tracking
About the study
- Original title
- Late luteal phase dysphoric disorder in young women
- Authors
- Rivera-Tovar AD, Frank E
- Journal
- The American journal of psychiatry
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 217
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1176/ajp.147.12.1634
Topics
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