Abstract
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of psychological and somatic symptoms related to the menstrual cycle. These symptoms
occur specifically during last half of the luteal phase of menstrual cycle and resolve by the end of menstruation. The aim
of this study was to evaluate the effects of premenstrual and menstrual complaints on well-being and sexuality and their relation
with analgesic use as a coping strategy in university students. This study focused on the experience of perimenstrual and
menstrual complaints of university students with regular menstrual cycles and their coping strategy. The research data were
collected by means of an introductory form with open-ended questions and the responses were assessed for the presence of premenstrual
and menstrual complaints, their effects and coping strategies of the students. Of 202 participants enrolled in the study,
the mean age was 20.5 ± 2.1 years. Fifty-seven participants (33.1 %) were adolescent girls while 115 (66.9 %) of them were
adults. Among students, the five most common complaints reported were irritability (76.7 %), breast fullness (68.6 %), back
pain (67.4 %), abdominal distension (60.5 %) and sentimentalism (56.4 %). Of participants, 102 (59.3 %) responded as having
disability and 34 (19.4 %) were found as having impaired sexuality. Back pain and weakness were found to be related with disability.
For impaired sexuality, headache and sentimentalism were found to be significant predictors. One hundred and thirty-three
(77.3 %) subjects reported that they have been using some medication; however, 99 (57.6 %) students have never sought help.
The most common medications reported were analgesics (n = 117, 68 %). Overall, we found comparable distribution of complaints
and coping strategies in adolescent and adult students. A majority of women experience mild to severe physical and psychological
discomfort during the perimenstrual period, which may affect their life quality. There is a need for a program to increase
awareness about PMS and menstrual complaints and suitable coping strategies for its symptomatology in the university settings
to improve quality of life and school performance of the students.
occur specifically during last half of the luteal phase of menstrual cycle and resolve by the end of menstruation. The aim
of this study was to evaluate the effects of premenstrual and menstrual complaints on well-being and sexuality and their relation
with analgesic use as a coping strategy in university students. This study focused on the experience of perimenstrual and
menstrual complaints of university students with regular menstrual cycles and their coping strategy. The research data were
collected by means of an introductory form with open-ended questions and the responses were assessed for the presence of premenstrual
and menstrual complaints, their effects and coping strategies of the students. Of 202 participants enrolled in the study,
the mean age was 20.5 ± 2.1 years. Fifty-seven participants (33.1 %) were adolescent girls while 115 (66.9 %) of them were
adults. Among students, the five most common complaints reported were irritability (76.7 %), breast fullness (68.6 %), back
pain (67.4 %), abdominal distension (60.5 %) and sentimentalism (56.4 %). Of participants, 102 (59.3 %) responded as having
disability and 34 (19.4 %) were found as having impaired sexuality. Back pain and weakness were found to be related with disability.
For impaired sexuality, headache and sentimentalism were found to be significant predictors. One hundred and thirty-three
(77.3 %) subjects reported that they have been using some medication; however, 99 (57.6 %) students have never sought help.
The most common medications reported were analgesics (n = 117, 68 %). Overall, we found comparable distribution of complaints
and coping strategies in adolescent and adult students. A majority of women experience mild to severe physical and psychological
discomfort during the perimenstrual period, which may affect their life quality. There is a need for a program to increase
awareness about PMS and menstrual complaints and suitable coping strategies for its symptomatology in the university settings
to improve quality of life and school performance of the students.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11195-012-9264-6
- Authors
- Tolga Guler, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Near East University School of Medicine, Mersin 10, Lefkosa, Turkey
- Ulaş Yavuz, Department of Sports Medicine, Near East University School of Medicine, Mersin 10, Lefkosa, Turkey
- Dudu Özkum, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy, Mersin 10, Lefkosa, Turkey
- Rumeysa Demirdamar, Department of Pharmacology, Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy, Mersin 10, Lefkosa, Turkey
- Journal Sexuality and Disability
- Online ISSN 1573-6717
- Print ISSN 0146-1044