The epidemiology of perimenstrual psychological symptoms

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence, clinical signi®cance and comorbidity of perimenstrual symptoms/ syndrome (PERI-MS) in a community sample of women. Method: Premenstrual and menstrual physical and psychological symptoms were assessed in a prospective longitudinal study of a representative community cohort of women (N=299) who were interviewed ®ve times between the ages of 21 and 35 years. Results: When classi®ed according to the severity of distress, the prevalence rates were 8.1% for severe and 13.6% for moderate PERI-MS, respectively. Clinical indicators of severity were all greater among PERI-MS women with than without depressed mood. Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that irritability, nervousness and tension irrespective of the presence of concomitant depressed mood are core elements of the perimenstrual syndrome.

Steroid withdrawal in the mouse results in anxiogenic effects of 3α,5β-THP: a possible model of premenstrual dysphoric disorder

“…Because clinical reports suggest that women with PMDD are most likely to experience increases in irritability or emotional reactivity to aversive stimuli in the luteal phase (Angst et al 2001) when THP levels are increased, we assessed THP effects on behavior in the elevated plus maze with or without a preceding shock. In this case, mice were tested, following 3 days of finasteride administration to decrease hippocampal levels of THP ("THP Wd", see (Pellow et al 1995), and as expected, these parameters were increased by 54±5.2 and 42±4%, respectively, in control mice in response to THP administration (P<0.05, Fig.…”

“…There are reports that mood changes can be observed late in the luteal phase (i.e., "premenstrual syndrome") when endogenous THP levels are declining (Rapkin et al 1997;Pearlstein et al 2005), suggesting that steroid withdrawal in the rat may have clinical relevance. However, a severe form of this disorder is classified in the DSM-IV as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (Angst et al 2001;Backstrom et al 2003a,b;Freeman 2003;Rapkin 2003). PMDD has an onset early to midluteal phase, when P and THP levels are increased (Angst et al 2001).…”

“…PMDD has an onset early to midluteal phase, when P and THP levels are increased (Angst et al 2001). Dysphoric mood at this time can encompass anxiety (Yonkers 1997), irritability, aggression, depression, and emotional reactivity, suggesting a diverse array of symptoms (Angst et al 2001;Endicott et al 1999;Freeman 2003;Pearlstein et al 2005;Backstrom et al 2003a;Smith et al 2003b;Steiner et al 1999). …”

“…Because of this, withdrawal can be accomplished by blocking formation of these endogenously high levels of THP with finasteride, a 5α-reductase blocker (Frye and Walf 2004). Because PMDD symptoms include anxiety and irritability (Angst et al 2001), we distinguished between effects of the steroid on baseline anxiety and emotional response to an aversive stimulus.…”

Premenstrual symptoms interference and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes: A cross‐sectional study

“…Epidemiological surveys have shown that the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms is high (80–90%) 2. Among about 5% of women, the symptoms are so severe that they interfere with personal or social relationships or work 3.…”