Survey study, 2013
Are menstrual symptoms common in middle-aged women and do they relate to hot flushes?
Cramping is common (54%) but mood symptoms are less frequent (8-9%). Cramping and back pain were associated with hot flushes, suggesting hormonal changes may affect both.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 755 pre- and postmenopausal women aged 40-60 in Puebla, Mexico. Researchers asked about menstrual symptoms (cramps, mood changes, pain), hot flushes, and depression over the past 2 weeks.
What they found
54% of women reported abdominal cramping during menstruation. Far fewer reported irritability (8%) or depressed mood (9%). Other common symptoms included gastrointestinal complaints (12%), breast tenderness (10%), and mid-back pain (9%). Abdominal cramping and waist pain were significantly associated with hot flushes (p<0.01). Depressed mood with menstruation was associated with depressed mood at midlife (p<0.05).
What it means for you
Cramping is the most common menstrual symptom in this population, and its link to hot flushes suggests hormonal factors. Mood symptoms are less prevalent than physical symptoms. Menstrual history may be relevant to midlife health, but current symptoms (hot flushes, sleep problems) were more important for depression than past menstrual mood changes. Results are from Mexico only.
755
women surveyed
54%
with abdominal cramping
8%
with irritability during menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Perimenstrual symptoms and symptoms at midlife in Puebla, Mexico
- Authors
- Sievert LL, Bertone-Johnson E
- Journal
- Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None (observational survey)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2012.678914
Topics
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