Menstrual cycle symptoms: comparison of a non-clinical sample with a patient group

Abstract

This study compared findings of a community group of women (n=32), who claimed they did not require help for menstrual cycle complaints, with a patient group (n=75) with confirmed prementrual syndrome (PMS). Subjects completed a battery of psychological tests to identify personality characteristics, levels of depression, anxiety, stress and marital adjustment. Menstrual cycle symptoms were assessed with the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ, Moos, 1985) during follicular (day 6-8) and premenstrual phases (day 26-28) of two adjusted cycles and with daily symptom ratings. Daily 24-h urines were collected for oestradiol and pregnanediol levels for one cycle. After prospective assessment, th..