Survey study, 2011
How common are PMS symptoms in teenage girls, and do they get help for them?
Most teenage girls in this study had mood and physical symptoms before their period that affected school and social life, but very few ever saw a doctor about it.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 1,092 adolescent girls from 94 schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Girls filled in a self-administered questionnaire about their attitudes to menstruation and their PMS symptoms.
What they found
Average menstrual attitude score was 2.80 (SD ±1.88) out of 6. 80.7% reported at least one mood-related (affective) symptom and 83.6% reported at least one physical (somatic) symptom before their period. Irritability, mood swings and tension were the most common mood symptoms; fatigue and cramps were the most common physical ones. Symptoms affected class concentration, social life, friendships and school performance. Only 10.3% consulted a doctor, and about a third did nothing, with differences seen between ethnic groups.
What it means for you
PMS symptoms are widespread among teen girls and get in the way of daily life, but most girls don't seek medical help, suggesting a need for better menstrual health education. This was a one-time survey in one city, relied on self-reported memory of symptoms, and cannot show cause and effect.
80.7%
Had mood symptoms before period
83.6%
Had physical symptoms before period
10.3%
Consulted a doctor for PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual-related attitudes and symptoms among multi-racial Asian adolescent females
- Authors
- Wong LP, Khoo EM
- Journal
- International journal of behavioral medicine
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 1,092
- What was tested
- None (observational survey, no treatment tested)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s12529-010-9091-z
Topics
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