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Survey study, 2026

What coping methods do women with PMS use?

Women with PMS mainly used acceptance and awareness to cope. Their worst symptoms were mood problems, anxiety, and tiredness.

Early or limited evidence 327 rural women aged 18-49 in Turkey with PMS

What they did

Cross-sectional study of 327 women aged 18-49 from rural areas with PMS. Women completed questionnaires measuring PMS symptoms, coping methods, and use of traditional medicine.

What they found

Mean PMS symptom score was 142.50. The worst symptoms were depressive mood, anxiety, and fatigue. Women's strongest coping methods were awareness and acceptance of their premenstrual changes. Weak correlations were found between symptom severity and coping strategies including self-care and communication.

What it means for you

Women in rural areas with PMS tend to use awareness and acceptance to cope. This study only describes what women do, not whether it helps reduce symptoms. Results are from one region only and cannot be assumed to apply everywhere.

142.50

Mean PMS symptom severity score

33.92

Average age in years

48.23%

Women who met PMS criteria

About the study

Original title
Traditional practices and coping methods used by women experiencing premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Endam Çetinkaya, Sabriye Uçan Yamaç
Journal
Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory
Year
2026
Study design
Survey study
Participants
327
What was tested
None (observational study)
Open access
Yes
Original abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the symptom severity, coping methods, and use of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) among women living in rural areas and experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among women aged 18–49 years registered at a primary health care centre. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, specifically criterion sampling; 327 women who reported experiencing (according to the PMS Scale) PMS were included in the study. Data were collected using a Identification Information Form, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and the Premenstrual Coping Measure (PCM). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Spearman correlation analysis were used to analyze the data.Results: Among women screened at the health center, 48.23% met the PMS screening criteria and were included in the study. The average age of the women was 33.92±9.30. The mean total PMSS score was 142.50±12.28, with the highest subscale scores found in depressive mood, anxiety, and fatigue. Among the PCM subscales, the highest mean scores were found in awareness and acceptance of premenstrual changes. A weak but significant positive correlation was found between the total PMSS score and the PCM awareness-acceptance, self-care, and communication subscales (r≈0.15–0.25; p

Reproduced under CC-BY.

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