Premenstrual symptoms and premenstrual exacerbation in patients with psychiatric disorders

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the frequencies of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of a number of psychiatric disorders in Chinese subjects. Premenstrual syndrome was assessed using a symptom checklist based on International Classification of Diseases (10th revision; ICD-10) criteria. Premenstrual exacerbation was defined as premenstrual worsening of pre-existing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder (depressive disorders, DD), panic disorder (PD), or schizophrenia (SCH). Fifty outpatients were randomly sampled for each diagnostic group. Diagnosis was performed by psychiatrists using the structured Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and the frequencies of PMS and PME were compared for the different diagnostic groups. The PMS symptoms were reported by 78%, 80%, 68%, and 52% of GAD, DD, PD, and SCH patients, respectively, with 52%, 52%, 36%, and 20% fulfilling the definition of PME. No significant statistical relationships between diagnostic entities and family history of PMS, years of education, or age were demonstrated, but number of PMS symptoms was associated with severity of PME. No significant relationships were demonstrated between PME and marital status, parity, years of education, age, or family history of PMS. The results showed that high PME rates were noted for a sample of Chinese women with mental disorders, especially those with depressive and anxiety disorders.

Maternal age and number of children are risk factors for depressive disorders in non-perinatal women of reproductive age

“…Symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders may increase, especially during the late luteal phase in women (Forrester-Knauss et al 2011;Pearlstein and Stone 1998). In a study conducted in China, it was shown that the premenstrual period aggravated anxiety and depressive disorders (Hsiao et al 2004). Our fi ndings are consistent with the literature.…”

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Burden of Illness and Treatment Update

“…39 Dysthymia, MDD, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are the most common axis I psychiatric disorders that may be concurrent and exacerbated premenstrually, with less clear evidence for bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social phobia, eating disorders and substance abuse. 12,18,[40][41][42][43] Personality disorders do not have elevated prevalence in women with PMDD, 19 but women with PMDD and a personality disorder may demonstrate premenstrual phase amplification of personality dysfunction. 44 Schizophrenia may be an example of an underlying disorder that does not have premenstrual exacerbation of psychotic symptoms but may have superimposed affective and anxiety symptoms of PMDD.…”

A Controlled Trial of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Premenstrual Syndrome

“…Previous research revealed that premenstrual symptoms were more severe among women engaged in professional studies (Marvan et al 1998); career women had more premenstrual symptoms than homemakers, and marital stress contributed to the severity of PMS symptoms (Coughlin 1990). In contrast, Hsiao (2004) and colleagues reported that no relationship was found between premenstrual symptoms and years of education or marital status.…”