Does psychosocial stress influence menstrual abnormalities in medical students?

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 164 students in a medical school in Pondicherry, India, by administering a questionnaire consisting of anthropometric data, menstrual history and psychosocial stress. Psychosocial stress was assessed using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10). We observed that out of the 164 students who answered the questionnaire, students who reported premenstrual symptoms, irregular cycles and dysmenorrhoea severe enough to take medication had significantly higher mean PSS scores (p = 0.000, 0.025, 0.035, respectively). High stress (fourth quartile PSS score) was significantly associated with occurrence of premenstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhoea severe enough to take medication. Stress in medical students is associated with severe dysmenorrhoea, irregular cycles and premenstrual syndrome. This implies that interventions to reduce the stress can improve the menstrual health of medical students, thereby reducing future health risks and improving the quality of life.

Stress and Premenstrual Symptoms in Reproductive-Aged Women

“…For example, most of the studies asked the participants to answer the PSS based on their experience from the preceding month, as premenstrual symptoms have been shown to be affected by stress from a month before (Kollipaka et al, 2013;Lustyk et al, 2007;Masho et al, 2005). Some asked the participants to respond, however, based on their stress from a week prior to (Gollenberg et al, 2010) or for three times over a menstrual cycle: during menstruation (cycle days 1-5), midcycle (cycle days 13-16), and premenstrual period (cycle days 25-28; Groer et al, 1993).…”

“…Some studies specified the sources of stress and related them to the development and worsening of premenstrual symptoms. For example, psychosocial stress was examined in medical school students in relation to their academic workload and responsibilities (Kollipaka et al, 2013), while academic stress was explored among college students (Dinning & Guptill, 1992;Lustyk, Widman, Paschane, & Ecker, 2004). Work stress was examined in women working in hospitals or other health centers (Kordi et al, 2011), medical students in internship programs (Namavar Jahromi et al, 2011), and women on active duty in the U.S. military (Hourani et al, 2004).…”

“…Over 150 symptoms have been identified including physical symptoms (e.g., breast tenderness, abdominal discomfort, and acne), behavioral symptoms (e.g., change in diet and sleep patterns, decreased concentration), and emotional symptoms (e.g., increased irritability and mood swings; Figert, 2005;Gollenberg et al, 2010;Kollipaka, Arounassalame, & Lakshminarayanan, 2013;Namavar Jahromi et al, 2011).…”

Dismenoresi olan kadınlarda menstruasyona yönelik tutum ve stres algısı değişiklikleri

“…tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinde psikososyal stres ile menstrüel anormallikler arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırdıkları çalışmada, 164 öğrenciye çalışmamızda da kullanılan "Algılanan Stress Ölçeği"ni uygulamıştır. Ça-lışmanın sonucunda stress algı düzeyi, şiddetli dismenore, düzensiz siklus ve premenstrüel sendromla ilişkili bulunmuştur (38). Benzer şekilde Gagua ve ark.…”

Regular Physical Activity, High Soy Dietary Intake and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms in Young Adult Women: A Descriptive Study

“…The endorphins decrease in the brain and adrenal cortisol elevation can cause mood symptoms in individuals and during the treatment of PMS. The stress management methods are very necessary such as exercise (Kollipaka et al, 2013).…”