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Cohort study, 1995

Do premenstrual pain and swelling change with the seasons?

No. Premenstrual pain and swelling did not worsen during dark months. Facial pain and mood distress did show seasonal patterns, but premenstrual pain and water retention did not.

Moderate study design 99 women with chronic myofascial face pain and 100 control women

What they did

Researchers asked 99 women with chronic facial pain and 100 control women about premenstrual symptoms each month for 10 consecutive months.

What they found

Premenstrual pain and swelling did not show seasonal variation. In contrast, facial pain and psychological distress showed worsening during dark months in both groups.

What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms like swelling and pain don't follow seasonal patterns, even though other pain conditions do. The study included women with and without chronic pain.

10

consecutive months of tracking

99

women with chronic facial pain

100

control women

About the study

Original title
Do premenstrual pain and edema exhibit seasonal variability?
Authors
Marbach JJ, Raphael KG, Dohrenwend BP
Journal
Psychosomatic medicine
Year
1995
Study design
Cohort study
Participants
100
What was tested
Observation of premenstrual symptoms each month for 10 consecutive months

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