---
title: What are young undergraduate women's experiences of their menstrual cycle?
description: Young women experienced some premenstrual symptoms but considered them minor compared to the stereotype. None had thought about positive experiences, though m
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/what-are-young-undergraduate-women-s-qualitative-experiences-of-the-menstrual-1997/
---

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- What are young undergraduate women's experiences of their menstrual cycle?

Interview study, 1997

# What are young undergraduate women's experiences of their menstrual cycle?

Young women experienced some premenstrual symptoms but considered them minor compared to the stereotype. None had thought about positive experiences, though managing menstruation was seen as bothersome.

 Early or limited evidence

9 undergraduate women

## What they did

Interviewed 9 undergraduate women about their menstrual cycle experiences and analyzed their accounts qualitatively.

## What they found

Women distinguished their own experiences from the premenstrual stereotype. They experienced premenstrual symptoms but considered them relatively minor. None had previously considered positive menstrual cycle related experiences. Managing menstruation was viewed as a hassle.

## What it means for you

Treatment providers should recognize that women's actual experiences differ from stereotypes. Main limitation: very small qualitative study with 9 women, so findings may not represent all women.

9

women interviewed

## About the study

Original title What are young undergraduate women's qualitative experiences of the menstrual cycle? Authors Choi PY, McKeown S Journal Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology Year 1997 Study design Interview study What was tested Qualitative interviews about menstrual cycle experiences Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/01674829709080697](https://doi.org/10.3109/01674829709080697)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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