Menstruation; A cause of recurrent emotional stress in young females

Abstract

The event in the early & late proliferative period of the menstrual cycle can be experienced as physical, psychological, physiological & emotional indicators, sometimes it is well observed as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among reproductive aged women, specifically characterized by emotional & physical symptoms that consistently occur during the leutal phase of the menstrual cycle. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency and severity of occurrence of these characterizing symptoms as well as to compare these with PMS in young girls. We also investigated about the impact of these conditions on the quality of life. Women aged 17-35 years with pre-menstrual pain were recruited in the study. PMS related data was collected on record of severity of pain while emotional stress score were calculated by using Sadaf Stress Scale (SSS). According to our results 48% of these women reported sharp pain with 39% having pain in abdomen back and thigh region. According to SSS 26% lies in moderate emotional stress, 30% in mild and 11% in severe emotional stress. Those women having severe intensity of pain reported 80% moodiness, 60% irritability and 40% abnormal laughter. The present results showed consistent and strong relationship between PMS symptoms and level of interference in all domain of women’s quality of life. We can conclude that PMS is the most common problem in women that distresses their educational performance and emotional well-being. There should be modified strategies for the detection and management of PMS on women for better quality of life.