Association between Premenstrual Symptoms and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms by COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study with Japanese High School Students

Abstract

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented global pandemic. Premenstrual symptoms include mood-related, behavioral, and physical symptoms that are limited to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Psychosocial stress is a risk factor for premenstrual symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the association between premenstrual symptoms and stress caused by COVID-19. We analyzed data from 871 students with regular menstrual cycles who completed the Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (PSQ), Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised version (IES-R). The total PSQ score was significantly higher in women with COVID-19-induced posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) than in non-PTSS groups. Compared with pre-pandemic data (2019), the total PSQ score did not change in non-PTSS, but increased in PTSS groups. All symptoms were more severe in PTSS groups than in non-PTSS groups. Compared with 2019, PTSS groups had more severe symptoms for all symptoms except 'physical symptoms' and 'decreased social activity', and non-PTSS groups only exhibited improvements in the 'decreased social activity'. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the IES-R score was a significant exacerbation factor of the total PSQ score, along with age and menstrual pain. This study revealed the association between pandemic-associated PTSS and the severity of premenstrual symptoms.

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“…Further, there were a highly statistically significant relationships between dysmenorrhea and learning difficulties as well as the interpersonal relationships among students (p<0.001). Our findings was consistent with findings of previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses in low and middle-income countries that concluded that dysmenorrhea has a statistically significant negative effect on academic performance both in school and during higher education [23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…These results were consistent with those of the previous studies among women of childbearing age [18][24]. Furthermore, recent studies have reported an increase in menstrual pain and a deterioration in a menstrual pattern during the pandemic [25][26]. In addition, a study from Palestine indicated that students with irregular menstrual cycles were almost twice as likely to have dysmenorrhea [27].…”

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“…The results of this study found that the negative impacts of PMS on academic performance were lack of concentration (50%) and work difficulties (42.9%). These findings are consistent with previous research findings that indicated PMS affects female university students and influences their academic performance, social engagement, and their quality of life [25][26][27][28][29]. About (56.5%) of participants had the COVID-19 infection during the pandemic.…”

COVID-19 Pandemi Döneminin Adet Döngüsü ve Premenstrüel Sendrom Üzerindeki Etkisine Genel Bir Bakış

“…First of all, the incidence of PMS during the pandemic among 190 female nursing students was 77.9% (23). Whereas in another research done in a Japanese high school, it was discovered that the PSQ (premenstrual syndrome questionnaire score) considerably increased in the PTSS (Posttraumatic Stress) group by (32.8%) during the pandemic compared to data gathered in 2019 before the pandemic, which was (25.4%) and 49 (5.6%) (24).…”

“…Women with PTSS are younger and have higher menstrual pain (24). Despite this, 46% of women experienced a change in their menstrual cycle since the pandemic began, compared to 25% before the pandemic (25).…”