Survey study, 2018

Can education about PMS help protect against stress-related symptom worsening?

Yes. Girls who received PMS education before an earthquake showed no change in symptoms during the disaster, while those without education experienced worsening symptoms.

Moderate study design 1,431 girls surveyed in November 2010 and 1,489 girls surveyed in December 2011, aged 15 to 18 years, in Sendai, Japan

What they did

Schools in Sendai, Japan conducted annual surveys of PMS symptoms in girls aged 15 to 18. One school provided PMS/PMDD education before the March 2011 earthquake while the other did not. Researchers compared symptom severity before the earthquake (November 2010) and after (December 2011).

What they found

Girls who received education showed no change in PMS/PMDD severity between before and after the earthquake. Girls who did not receive education showed worsening of PMS/PMDD severity after the earthquake.

What it means for you

Education about PMS may help young women cope with stress and prevent symptom worsening during difficult times. This was an opportunistic study linked to a natural disaster, not a formal randomized trial.

1,431

Girls surveyed before the earthquake in November 2010

1,489

Girls surveyed after the earthquake in December 2011

15-18

Age range in years of girls studied

About the study

Original title: Effect of an educational program on adolescent premenstrual syndrome: lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Takeda T, Shiina M
Journal: Adolescent health, medicine and therapeutics
Year: 2018
Study design: Survey study
Participants: 1,489
What was tested: PMS/PMDD education program
Open access: Yes
Read the paper: doi.org/10.2147/ahmt.s169944

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)Low mood and depression Psychotherapy, counselling and education Students and academic performance Adolescents and young people

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