Survey study, 2022
Is there a link between premenstrual syndrome and fear of childbirth?
Yes, women with more PMS symptoms tend to have more fear of childbirth, though the connection is weak. This finding comes from university students only, so we should be cautious about whether it applies to all women.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 327 university students. They completed questionnaires measuring their premenstrual syndrome symptoms and their level of fear about childbirth before pregnancy.
What they found
Childbirth fear was higher in women with premenstrual syndrome. Fear scores were higher in women who preferred caesarean delivery compared to those who preferred vaginal delivery. There was a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between PMS symptoms (depression, anxiety, fatigue, nervousness, pain, appetite changes, sleep pattern changes, and bloating) and childbirth fear.
What it means for you
Women with PMS may experience more fear about childbirth than others without PMS. The main limitation is that the correlation was weak and the study only included university students, so results may not apply to all women.
327
university students
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual Syndrome and Childbirth Fear Prior to Pregnancy in Young Women: An Association and Cross-Sectional Study
- Authors
- Ataman H, Dişsiz M
- Journal
- Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)
- Year
- 2022
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 327
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20211211
Topics
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