M.A. (Psychology) / Since Frank (1931) first published an article on premenstrual symptoms a considerable amount of research has been undertaken and published on the topic. Women have always been aware of experiencing certain intermittent physiological and psychological symptoms, but few have realised that these are often cyclical and relate to the menstrual cycle. In recent years there has been a move towards identifying these symptoms and seeking help and treatment in overcoming their sometimes debilitating effects. Previously women did not speak about their experiences and attributed them to various psychosocial stressors, but today women areacknowledging the fact that a syndrome or disorder does exist. This syndrome or disorder became known as the Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) (Dalton, 1984). More recently a classification for premenstrual symptoms has appeared under Appendix A of the' DSM III-R. This is the section that deals with proposed diagnostic categories needing further study. In this classification premenstrual symptoms are termed Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder (LLPDD)...

The Daily Assessment Form (OAF) retrospectively assessed symptoms of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (LLPDD), both at the beginning and at the end of a 2-month time interval. Ninety-four women between the ages of 18 and 45 entered the study. Half of the subjects viewed a negative-case, stereotypic presentation of LLPDD prior to the pretest. sixty-eight subjects qualified on the pretest to complete the study. Half of the remaining no-case subjects and half of the remaining negative-case subjects completed 8 weeks' prospective ratings via the OAF. Forty-eight subjects remained to complete the posttest at the end of that time interval. Pretest Total and Pretest Criteria scores revealed significant main effects for case-presentation condition (E[l,63] = 7.08, R = .01) and (E[l,63] = 8.34, R = .01) and completion level (E[l,63] = 6.76, R = .01) and (E[l,63] = 3.76, R .06). Effect sizes equalled 0.48 and 0.45 for case presentation and 1.92 and 1.98 for completion.

No description available.

Clinical interest in PMS has existed for more than one and a half centuries. There is still no consensus about its frequency, seriousness, etiology or treatment. Its impact on marital relationships has not been an area of research interest, even though one woman in twenty, or even one every ten, may be so afflicted that her life is disrupted premenstrually month after month. This study was designed to explore this research area through the use of prospective self-reporting measuring instruments completed on a daily basis by both husband and wife in six couples over a time period of one complete menstrual cycle. The husband's perception of his wife's negative affect was one independent variable. The wife's perception of her own negative affect was the other. Six dependent variables were measured: The husband's and wife's self rating of own marital satisfaction; the husband's and the wife's perceptions of the spouse's displeasing behaviors; and the husband's and the wife's perceptions of the spouse's pleasing behaviors. A case study approach was used and, in addition to time series analysis of the daily ratings, a semi-structured exit interview was conducted with each couple so that anecdotal material could be compared and evaluated along with the quantifiable data. Because of the nature of the study, self-definition and diagnosis of PMS was chosen as the admission criterion. In addition, the wife could not be using oral contraceptives, nor could she be taking over-the-counter or prescribed medication for her PMS. Decreases in the husband's marital satisfaction were found to be associated with increases in his perception of his wife's negative affect in five of the six cases. In four of the six cases, the husband perceived an increase in displeasing behaviors by his wife when he perceived an increase in her symptoms. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of premenstrual edema (water retention) on measurements of percent body fat (%BF) in ovulating women during the menstrual cycle utilizing bioelectrical impedance. Specifically, this study was designed to investigate the difference between bioelectrical impedance measurements of %BF recorded during day 1 of menses, day 7, day -1 midcycle, midcycle, day 21, and days -3, -2, and -1 premenses. Determinations of impedance were made in 26 regularly menstruating women aged 20.23±0.74 yr using an electrical impedance analyzer with a four-electrode arrangement that induces a painless signal ( 800 !microamps at 50 kHz) into the body. Internal consistency reliability estimates made approximately 5 min apart during each test day ranged from R = .96-.99 for the impedance measurements of %BF, and the stability reliability correlation coefficients ever the eight observation days ranged from r = .92-.97 for the impedance measurements of %BF. The reliability analyses indicated that %BF esitimated from bioelectrical impedance was measured reliably. Specific days of the menstrual cycle did not significantly affect impedance measurements of %BF. Analysis of variance with repeated measures also indicated that day during the menstrual cycle did not significantly affect weight (Wt), %BF, resistance (Re), or total body water (TBW) measurements. However, urine osmolality (Osm) and basal body temperature (BBT) were significantly affected across days of the menstrual cycle (p < .01). A dramatic decline in Osm was noted at midcycle followed by a rise which peaked at day -3 premenses. After day -3 premenses, Osm rapidly declined at menses. The dramatic decline in Osm at midcycle may reflect changes in urine concentration due to actions of elevated estrogen associated with ovulation. BBT dropped prior to midcycle and then began to rise until day -3 of the next menses and then it dropped slightly. The drop prior -co midcycle may be also reflected by changes in the hormonal concentration of estrogen. The biphasic BBT response was considered to be presumptive evidence that ovulation had occurred. A 2 x 2 factorial analysis of variance with repeated measures demonstrated that there was a significant interaction between cycle length and activity level on measurements of Wt, %BF, and BBT (p < .05). As light activity subjects with average cycle lengths became moderately active, their %BF decreased from 26.51±0.63% to 21.11±0.50% followed by a dramatic increase to 29.40±0.62% as they became highly active. On the otherhand, as light activity subjects with above average cycle lengths became more and more active, their %BF dropped drastically from 35.11±1.44% to 18.72±0. 75%. The data support the hypothesis that bioelectrical impedance measurements of %BF recorded during the normal menstrual cycle are not significantly different. However, a larger population is required to validate the applicability of these results. / M.S.

Previous research on premenstrual tension has typically focused on the hormonal or biological theories of premenstrual tension. Recent research, however, has begun to show a relationship between negative expectancies and reports of premenstrual suffering. In this study it was hypothesized that negative expectancies could be changed by exposing participants to information which either increased or decreased their sense of control over premenstrual symptomatology. It was proposed that information which offered participants a way to control premenstrual symptoms would decrease expectations while information which informed participants that they could not control their symptoms would increase negative expectations. In this study it was further hypothesized that participants exposed to information which decreased their negative expectancies would report more positive moods during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle than those subjects exposed to information which increased their expectations for premenstrual tension. Results from this study supported the hypothesis that expectancies for premenstrual tension are related to the participants' sense of control over premenstrual tension. However, results did not show a relationship between daily reports of mood during the premenstrual phase and negative expectations. / Master of Science

Lee, Antionette Marie. / "May 2000." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-171). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

D.Litt. et Phil. / Although PMS has been described almost since the beginning of the written history of medicine, it is still not completely understood. There are many theories about its causation and treatment, and a proliferation of symptoms are ascribed to it. The prevalence of PMS in relation to the total population is still unknown, because premenstrual symptoms or a combination of these range from almost 25% to 100% amongst women. Furthermore, different criteria for the assessment of the prevalence of PMS are used by different researchers. Researchers are in agreement, however, that no single definition for PMS exists. Some women experience mainly psychological symptoms, while others present predominantly physical symptoms. Very little is known of the prognosis of the natural history of PMS. The precise causes of menstrually-related distress is not known, although much has been written about the role that nutrition plays in PMS. A direct relationship has not been identified between individual levels of, and changes in, oestrogen and progesterone alone, and the reported psychological, behavioural and physical changes associated with the cycle. Certain observable behaviours are associated with the premenstrual phase of the cycle, such as aggressive and illness behaviour. An important aspect is the link between premenstrual changes and psychopathology, especially mood disorders. Many researchers report a positive association between premenstrual changes and mood disorders, especially depressive disorders. Women suffering from depressive disorders are reported to frequently experience a premenstrual exacerbation of symptoms and a deterioration in functioning. Most studies have found that women report both psychological and somatic symptoms. The psychological symptoms are, owever, more commonly reported and have also been found to be more distressing for women. In respect of aetiological theories, the literature shows a major subdivision between the biological causes and the psychological basis. Potential causes, according to a biological approach include abnormalities in gonadal steroids, excessive fluid retention, hypoglycemia, abnormalities in prostaglandin metabolism, allergy to endogenous hormones and endogenous opiate withdrawal. Research results in each of these areas are conflicting and conclusions reached are speculative. Most psychological aetiologies originate from the psychoanalytical school and include a rejection or resentment of the feminine role, as well as a repressed wish for a child. At present, the psychoanalytical theories have not been supported by controlled studies and, therefore, still remain speculative. The uncertainty of the causes of PMS is reflected in the numerous treatments proposed in the literature. A review of the literature shows that treatment for PMS is generally given indiscriminately for a divergent group of symptoms, without regard for the fact that growing evidence suggests that the Syndrome is made up of a variety of distinct, but related, symptoms. A girl's first menstruation is a developmental milestone with psychological and physiological concomitants. Adolescents of both sexes tend to view menstruation negatively. Many adolescents associate menstruation with dysmenorrhea. Studies have shown that up to 91% of girls report dysmenorrhea, and it is also the leading cause of recurrent short-term school absenteeism among adolescent girls. Dysmenorrhea cannot be ignored, as it leads to a loss in self-esteem, with all the accompanying problems. If an adolescent does not get help with her PMS symptoms, she may be negatively affected. The purpose of the present study was to cross-culturally investigate the psychological concomitants of the premenstrual symptomatology in adolescent girls. Four hypotheses were tested: In an analysis of symptoms associated with PMS, a single factor reflecting will emerge to account for a significant percentage of the variance observed; Dysmenorrhic adolescents will experience a greater number of negative premenstrual symptoms than non-dysmenorrhic adolescents; Adolescents experiencing a number of negative premenstrual symptoms will report lower self-esteem; Adolescents of different cultural groups will report PMS symptoms that are IV commensurate with their culturally-based health beliefs. In order to test these hypotheses, one hundred and twenty five adolescent girls of all race groups, between 13 and 18 years of age, who were not taking any contraceptive, participated in the study. The Premenstrual Assessment Form (PAF) and the Index of Self-Esteem (ISE) were used. Physical and emotional discomfort emerged as two clear interpretable factors. It would appear that for this sample, PMS is not a unitary phenomenon, but consists of dual factors which are depended on cultural expectations. By observing dysmenorrhic and nondysmenorrhic adolescent girls, it was found that dysmenorrhic girls manifested a significantly higher degree of low mood and loss of pleasure, "endogenous" depressive features, lability, "atypical" depressive features, hysteroid features, hostility and anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, impulsivity, organic mental features, general physical discomfort, water retention, autonomic physical changes, fatigue, impaired social functioning, impaired miscellaneous mood and behaviour changes and miscellaneous physical changes than non-dysmenorrhic girls. Non-dysmenorrhic girls showed a significantly higher degree of well-being when compared with dysmenorrhic girls. Thus, the present study supported the findings of previous research which suggested that dysmenorrhic girls will experience more negative premenstrual symptoms than nondysmenorrhic girls. In respect of self-esteem, girls reporting a number of negative premenstrual symptoms were found to have a lower self-esteem than those reporting fewer negative premenstrual symptoms. In respect of culture, it was found that culture seemed to play a role in the girls' perceived experiences of PMS. The present study indicates that adolescent girls do experience many negative symptoms and, if these are not adequately dealt with, they may adversely affect them in adulthood.

Introdução. A Síndrome Pré-menstrual (SPM) é caracterizada por sintomas de estresse somáticos e comportamentais que se desenrolam logo após a ovulação, atingindo um pico máximo próximo à data da menstruação e desaparecendo em média em até quatro dias após o início do sangramento. A presença da formação do corpo lúteo seria necessária para a presença dos sintomas, contudo essa dinâmica dos hormônios da fase lútea associados à SPM é pouco conhecida. O hormônio antimülleriano (HAM) é um dos melhores marcadores de declínio da capacidade reprodutiva das mulheres. Até o momento o mesmo não foi correlacionado a sintomas da SPM. A percepção de piora dos sintomas da SPM na perimenopausa é sugerida, existindo a possibilidade de que com a menor função ovariana (redução do HAM) exista uma exacerbação da SPM durante essa fase da vida reprodutiva da mulher. Objetivo: avaliar o padrão de SPM em mulheres com idade superior a 35 anos e correlacionar seus sintomas com a redução de HAM. Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal, com uma amostra de conveniência composta por mulheres recrutadas através da mídia local. O questionário Registro Diário da Intensidade de Problemas (DRSP) de 2 meses foi utilizado para o diagnóstico de SPM. As participantes (N = 101) foram avaliadas em seus perfis antropométricos (peso, altura, índice de massa corporal) e social (paridade, nível educacional, uso de contracepção oral). Depois de completar o questionário DRSP por 2 meses, as mulheres retornaram no período prémenstrual para a coleta do sangue. Entre as participantes que utilizaram contracepção hormonal, foi solicitado um período de wash out de um mês para a coleta de sangue e dosagem de HAM no soro. O HAM foi analisado usando um kit comercial ELISA, de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. A análise estatística foi realizada na versão SPSS 18.0. O nível de significância adotado para todas as análises foi estabelecido em 5%. Resultados: A análise de HAM mostrou uma redução significativa após a idade de 35 anos, e não foi relacionada à severidade dos sintomas de SPM. Os sintomas físicos na fase lútea, mas não os emocionais, foram maiores em mulheres com mais de 35 anos de idade. A análise de Spearman mostrou uma correlação positiva entre um grupo de ≥35 anos e uma correlação negativa entre o uso de contracepção oral com piora dos sintomas físicos da SPM. Conclusão: este estudo mostrou que não houve piora dos sintomas emocionais entre as mulheres com SPM após os 35 anos de idade, apenas piora dos sintomas físicos, que necessitam uma investigação mais aprofundada. Não há relação entre os sintomas físicos e emocionais com níveis de HAM nas mulheres com SPM. / Background. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is characterized by somatic and behavioral stress symptoms that take place soon after ovulation, reaching a peak near the time of menstruation and disappears on average within 4 days after the start of the bleeding. The presence of the corpus luteum formation would be needed for the presence of symptoms, however, these dynamics luteal phase of hormones associated with PMS is not well known. The anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is one of the best markers of decline in women's reproductive capacity, and AMH has not been correlated with PMS symptoms. The perception of worsening of PMS symptoms in perimenopause is suggested, with the possibility that with less ovarian reserve (reduction of AMH) there is an exacerbation of PMS during this phase of the woman's reproductive life. Objective: To evaluate the pattern of PMS in women aged over 35 years, and correlate its symptoms to the reduction of AMH. Methods: It was an observational, cross-sectional study with a convenience sample composed of women recruited through local media. The 2-months DRSP questionnaire was used for PMS diagnosis. The participants (N=101) were evaluated in their anthropometric (weight, height, body mass index) and social (parity, educational level, use of oral contraception) profiles. After completing the DRSP questionnaire for 2 months, women returned in the pre-menstrual period for serum collection. Among participants using hormonal contraception, a one-month washout period was requested for serum collection and AMH dosage. AMH was analyzed using an ELISA commercial kit, according the manufacturer’s instructions. Statistical analysis was carried out in SPSS version 18.0. Significance level adopted for all analyzes was set at 5%. Results: AMH analysis showed a significant reduction after the age of 35 years, and it was not related to PMS symptoms severity. Physical symptoms in luteal stage were greater in women aged over 35 years, emotional symptoms were equal in both ages. Spearman’s analysis showed a positive correlation between ≥ 35years group and a negative correlation between the use of oral contraception with PMS physical symptoms worsening. Conclusion: this study showed that there is no worsening of emotional symptoms among women with PMS after 35 years of age, with a greater physical complaint, that needs further investigation. There is no relation between the physical and emotional symptoms with AMH levels in PMS women.

Introdução. A Síndrome Pré-menstrual (SPM) é caracterizada por sintomas de estresse somáticos e comportamentais que se desenrolam logo após a ovulação, atingindo um pico máximo próximo à data da menstruação e desaparecendo em média em até quatro dias após o início do sangramento. A presença da formação do corpo lúteo seria necessária para a presença dos sintomas, contudo essa dinâmica dos hormônios da fase lútea associados à SPM é pouco conhecida. O hormônio antimülleriano (HAM) é um dos melhores marcadores de declínio da capacidade reprodutiva das mulheres. Até o momento o mesmo não foi correlacionado a sintomas da SPM. A percepção de piora dos sintomas da SPM na perimenopausa é sugerida, existindo a possibilidade de que com a menor função ovariana (redução do HAM) exista uma exacerbação da SPM durante essa fase da vida reprodutiva da mulher. Objetivo: avaliar o padrão de SPM em mulheres com idade superior a 35 anos e correlacionar seus sintomas com a redução de HAM. Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal, com uma amostra de conveniência composta por mulheres recrutadas através da mídia local. O questionário Registro Diário da Intensidade de Problemas (DRSP) de 2 meses foi utilizado para o diagnóstico de SPM. As participantes (N = 101) foram avaliadas em seus perfis antropométricos (peso, altura, índice de massa corporal) e social (paridade, nível educacional, uso de contracepção oral). Depois de completar o questionário DRSP por 2 meses, as mulheres retornaram no período prémenstrual para a coleta do sangue. Entre as participantes que utilizaram contracepção hormonal, foi solicitado um período de wash out de um mês para a coleta de sangue e dosagem de HAM no soro. O HAM foi analisado usando um kit comercial ELISA, de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. A análise estatística foi realizada na versão SPSS 18.0. O nível de significância adotado para todas as análises foi estabelecido em 5%. Resultados: A análise de HAM mostrou uma redução significativa após a idade de 35 anos, e não foi relacionada à severidade dos sintomas de SPM. Os sintomas físicos na fase lútea, mas não os emocionais, foram maiores em mulheres com mais de 35 anos de idade. A análise de Spearman mostrou uma correlação positiva entre um grupo de ≥35 anos e uma correlação negativa entre o uso de contracepção oral com piora dos sintomas físicos da SPM. Conclusão: este estudo mostrou que não houve piora dos sintomas emocionais entre as mulheres com SPM após os 35 anos de idade, apenas piora dos sintomas físicos, que necessitam uma investigação mais aprofundada. Não há relação entre os sintomas físicos e emocionais com níveis de HAM nas mulheres com SPM. / Background. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is characterized by somatic and behavioral stress symptoms that take place soon after ovulation, reaching a peak near the time of menstruation and disappears on average within 4 days after the start of the bleeding. The presence of the corpus luteum formation would be needed for the presence of symptoms, however, these dynamics luteal phase of hormones associated with PMS is not well known. The anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is one of the best markers of decline in women's reproductive capacity, and AMH has not been correlated with PMS symptoms. The perception of worsening of PMS symptoms in perimenopause is suggested, with the possibility that with less ovarian reserve (reduction of AMH) there is an exacerbation of PMS during this phase of the woman's reproductive life. Objective: To evaluate the pattern of PMS in women aged over 35 years, and correlate its symptoms to the reduction of AMH. Methods: It was an observational, cross-sectional study with a convenience sample composed of women recruited through local media. The 2-months DRSP questionnaire was used for PMS diagnosis. The participants (N=101) were evaluated in their anthropometric (weight, height, body mass index) and social (parity, educational level, use of oral contraception) profiles. After completing the DRSP questionnaire for 2 months, women returned in the pre-menstrual period for serum collection. Among participants using hormonal contraception, a one-month washout period was requested for serum collection and AMH dosage. AMH was analyzed using an ELISA commercial kit, according the manufacturer’s instructions. Statistical analysis was carried out in SPSS version 18.0. Significance level adopted for all analyzes was set at 5%. Results: AMH analysis showed a significant reduction after the age of 35 years, and it was not related to PMS symptoms severity. Physical symptoms in luteal stage were greater in women aged over 35 years, emotional symptoms were equal in both ages. Spearman’s analysis showed a positive correlation between ≥ 35years group and a negative correlation between the use of oral contraception with PMS physical symptoms worsening. Conclusion: this study showed that there is no worsening of emotional symptoms among women with PMS after 35 years of age, with a greater physical complaint, that needs further investigation. There is no relation between the physical and emotional symptoms with AMH levels in PMS women.