Interview study, 2009
How do women's thoughts about themselves and their relationships change with menstrual cycle symptoms?
Women with high PMS symptoms had difficulty accepting imperfection in themselves and others, felt alone and overwhelmed, and had relationship tensions. Women with low symptoms were more laid back and had stronger support networks.
What they did
Qualitative study with detailed interviews of 16 women (9 with low PMS symptoms and 7 with high symptoms). Women were interviewed about how they saw themselves and their relationships, and their answers were analyzed for common patterns and themes.
What they found
Women with high symptoms described themselves as perfectionist, focused on self-sacrifice, and compared themselves poorly to others. They felt alone, overwhelmed, and said relationships had unresolved tensions. Women with low symptoms described themselves as laid back but wanting control in family life. They accepted imperfect relationships and said they had strong support. Both groups thought their symptoms were irrational and controllable away from home, but vented symptoms on partner, family and children.
What it means for you
The way women think about themselves and their relationships may be connected to how many PMS symptoms they have. Women with high symptoms struggle with accepting imperfections. Both groups manage moods better in public and let emotions out at home. This was a small study with only 16 women, so patterns may not apply to all women.
16
Total women interviewed
9
Women with low symptoms
7
Women with high symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- A qualitative investigation of women's experiences of the self and others in relation to their menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Slade P, Haywood A, King H
- Journal
- British journal of health psychology
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Interview study
- Participants
- 16
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1348/135910708x304441
Topics
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