Survey study, 2013
Are premenstrual symptoms linked to how women experience their body?
Yes. Women with premenstrual symptoms tend to focus more on physical sensations in their body, and this may contribute to how severe their symptoms become.
What they did
105 psychology students in France aged 18-50 completed questionnaires about their premenstrual symptoms and how they experience physical sensations and pleasure in their body.
What they found
Women with more premenstrual symptoms tended to focus more on physical sensations in their body. Both increased focus on physical sensations and changes in experiencing pleasure from physical activities were linked to premenstrual symptoms.
What it means for you
Psychological factors related to how women experience their bodies may contribute to premenstrual symptoms alongside physical changes. However, this was a small study of psychology students in France only, so findings may not apply broadly.
105
women in France
20.98
average age in years
About the study
- Original title
- [Premenstrual symptomatology, somatization and physical anhedonia]
- Authors
- Bridou M, Aguerre C
- Journal
- L'Encephale
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.encep.2012.08.003
Topics
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