Interview study, 2025
How do cultural beliefs about menstruation affect adolescent girls' PMS experiences?
Yes, cultural beliefs strongly influenced how girls experienced PMS, with cultural stigma and social pressure increasing stress, shame, and isolation. Social support, education, and changing cultural attitudes can reduce these negative effects.
What they did
Researchers interviewed 18 adolescent girls from middle and high schools using semi-structured interviews. They analyzed the interviews to identify themes about PMS experiences, cultural beliefs, and attitudes toward menstruation.
What they found
Cultural taboos and silence around menstruation were common themes. Girls experienced negative consequences from cultural beliefs, including social pressure to hide symptoms, shame, self-blame, and isolation. Social support groups and media helped reduce stigma and improve experiences.
What it means for you
Negative cultural attitudes about PMS worsen symptoms by increasing stress and isolation, but social support and education can help. The main limitation is the small sample of 18 girls from one country, which may not represent all adolescent girls.
18
adolescent girls interviewed
About the study
- Original title
- Exploring Adolescent Girls' Experiences of Premenstrual Syndrome with an Emphasis on Cultural Beliefs and Attitudes: A Qualitative Study
- Authors
- Hanna Asadi, Hossien Ghamari Kivi, Zahra Akhavi Samarien
- Journal
- Journal of Guilan University of Medical Sciences
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Interview study
- Participants
- 18
- What was tested
- None; exploratory study of lived experiences
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.32598/jgums.34.4.2392.1
Topics
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