Relationship between anxiety and premenstrual syndrome

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Women's Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) encompasses a range of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms experienced by women during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle.
• Anxiety, particularly trait anxiety, is a common psychological state that may influence the experience and severity of PMS symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms and levels of trait anxiety in women.
• To determine if specific subtypes of PMS symptoms are more strongly associated with trait anxiety.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-eight women were assessed for premenstrual syndrome symptoms using a modified Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire.
• Trait anxiety was measured using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between the overall severity of PMS symptoms and trait anxiety.
• Trait anxiety showed significant correlations with all three PMS subtypes: behavioral, psychological, and physical.
• The strongest correlation between trait anxiety and PMS symptoms was observed for the psychological subtype.

Conclusions:

• Trait anxiety is significantly associated with the experience of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in women.
• Psychological aspects of anxiety appear particularly relevant to the manifestation of PMS.
• Stress-management training may be a beneficial component in the treatment and management of premenstrual syndrome.