How common is PMS in Saudi Arabian women?

Background: The prevalence and consequences of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among Saudi women are not well understood. Consequently, the purpose of this research is to ascertain the frequency, course, and contributing factors of PMDD and PMS in the Asir area of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Asir, Saudi Arabia, using a pre-designed questionnaire distributed among adult female patients to five primary healthcare facilities (PHCs) that were chosen at random in the Asir Region. Data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 15). Results: The study included 506 participants; 81% of them were Saudi and 19% were non-Saudi. A percentage (46.2%) of the participants were aged between 21 and 30 years old. A total of 369 (72.9%) participants have PMS. Regarding PMS symptoms, 79.1% reported mood changes, 59.3% tantrums, 56.7% change in appetite, 47% acne, 41.9% back and joint pain, and 43.1% reported sleep disorders. Almost half (42.1%) of the participants receive treatment to relieve the symptoms of PMS (72% of them receive paracetamol and 6.1% receive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)). Some (6.4%) exercise during the menstrual cycle to relieve symptoms of PMS, while 31% eat healthy foods at the time of period to relieve the symptoms of PMS. Conclusion: The prevalence of PMS/PMDD was among the reported figures worldwide. There was a significant association between age and the use of contraceptives with symptoms of PMS/PMDD among the studied sample.

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