Die Tage vor den Tagen werden in Fach- und Laienkreisen nicht selten als kritische Tage im Menstruationszyklus der Frau wahrgenommen. Die 'Störungsbilder' des Prämenstruellen Syndroms (PMS) und der Prämenstruellen Dysphorischen Störung (PMDS, engl. PMDD) haben sich mittlerweile gesellschaftlich etabliert. Die vorliegende Arbeit nähert sich der Thematik von medizingeschichtlicher Seite, indem sie Darstellungen des Prämenstruums in populärmedizinischen und wissenschaftlichen Texten vom Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts bis in die Gegenwart untersucht. Sie umfasst einen historischen Überblick über die Entwicklungen vom 19. Jahrhundert bis zur Etablierung des PMS und der PMDD im 20. und 21. Jahrhundert. Auch unterschiedliche Theorien zur Genese prämenstrueller Veränderungen und Beschwerden werden herausgearbeitet. Der Fokus liegt insbesondere auf dem Einfluss medizinischer Lehren und soziokultureller Faktoren (bspw. der Frauenbewegung, der Degenerations-, und Konstitutionslehre) auf die Darstellungen des Prämenstruums in medizinischen Texten. / In professional and lay circles, premenstrual days are frequently perceived as critical days in a woman's menstrual cycle. The 'disorders' premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) have become socially established. This thesis approaches the topic from a medical history perspective by examining representations of the premenstruum in general medical and scientific texts from the 19th century to the present. The thesis includes a historical overview of the development from the 19th century up to the recognition of PMS and PMDD in the 20th and 21st centuries. The change of concepts of genesis over time, which is subject to the influence of different scientific doctrines and body concepts, is also content of the research work. A particular focus is placed on the influence of medical theories and socio-cultural factors on the descriptions of the premenstruum in medical texts (e.g. the women's movement, the degeneration and constitutional theory).

Background: A recent epidemiological analysis on premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in the community revealed increased rates of DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women suffering from PMDD. Aims: To explore whether this association is artifactual or might have important pathogenic implications. Methods: Data come from a prospective, longitudinal community survey of an original sample of N¼1488 women aged 14–24, who were followed-up over a period of 40 to 52 months. Diagnostic assessments are based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) using the 12-month PMDD diagnostic module. Data were analyzed using logistic regressions (odds ratios) and a case-by-case review. Results: The age adjusted odds ratio between PTSD and threshold PMDD was 11.7 (3.0–46.2) at baseline. 10 women with full PTSD and at least subthreshold PMDD were identified at follow-up. Most reported an experience of abuse in childhood before the onset of PMDD. Some had experienced a life-threatening experience caused by physical attacks, or had witnessed traumatic events experienced by others. 3 women reported more than one traumatic event. Conclusions: A case-by-case review and logistic regression analyses suggest that women with traumatic events and PTSD have an increased risk for secondary PMDD. These observations call for more in-depth analyses in future research.

Background: A recent epidemiological analysis on premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in the community revealed increased rates of DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women suffering from PMDD. Aims: To explore whether this association is artifactual or might have important pathogenic implications. Methods: Data come from a prospective, longitudinal community survey of an original sample of N¼1488 women aged 14–24, who were followed-up over a period of 40 to 52 months. Diagnostic assessments are based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) using the 12-month PMDD diagnostic module. Data were analyzed using logistic regressions (odds ratios) and a case-by-case review. Results: The age adjusted odds ratio between PTSD and threshold PMDD was 11.7 (3.0–46.2) at baseline. 10 women with full PTSD and at least subthreshold PMDD were identified at follow-up. Most reported an experience of abuse in childhood before the onset of PMDD. Some had experienced a life-threatening experience caused by physical attacks, or had witnessed traumatic events experienced by others. 3 women reported more than one traumatic event. Conclusions: A case-by-case review and logistic regression analyses suggest that women with traumatic events and PTSD have an increased risk for secondary PMDD. These observations call for more in-depth analyses in future research.