Survey study, 1989
What premenstrual symptoms do adolescent girls experience?
Almost all adolescent girls report premenstrual symptoms. Most commonly they experience physical discomfort, water retention, and fatigue, along with mood changes like depression and impulsive behavior.
What they did
Researchers gave a validated 95-item survey to 207 adolescent girls (average age 17.6, mostly white) at a suburban health service.
What they found
96% reported at least minimal premenstrual changes, 89% reported moderate changes, 59% reported severe changes, and 43% reported extreme changes. Physical symptoms included discomfort, water retention, and fatigue. Mood and behavior changes included depression and impulsive behavior. Symptoms were worst in girls with painful periods who weren't taking birth control.
What it means for you
Premenstrual symptoms are very common in teenage girls and match what adults experience. The study was done at one suburban health service, so the findings may not represent all teenagers.
96%
reported at least minimal symptoms
59%
reported severe symptoms
43%
reported extreme symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual symptoms in adolescents
- Authors
- Fisher M, Trieller K, Napolitano B
- Journal
- Journal of adolescent health care : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 207
- What was tested
- None, survey study only
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0197-0070(89)90213-1
Topics
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