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Minor psychiatric morbidity and menstruation.
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Women aged 16-44 experiencing psychiatric distress showed higher rates of menstrual cycle symptoms. This study links mental health to premenstrual and menstrual flow distress patterns.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Gynecology
- Public Health
Background:
- Minor psychiatric morbidity is prevalent in women of reproductive age.
- Menstrual distress is a common experience, but its link to psychiatric health requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of minor psychiatric morbidity in a community sample of women aged 16-44.
- To examine the relationship between psychiatric ill health and menstrual distress across different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) to assess psychiatric morbidity.
- Employed a modified Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MMDQ) to measure menstrual distress.
- Analyzed data across three menstrual cycle phases: premenstruum, menstrual flow, and remainder of the cycle.
Main Results:
- A positive association was identified between psychiatric ill health and the reporting of distress.
- Distinctive patterns of distress were reported in the premenstruum and during menstrual flow among women with psychiatric morbidity.
- These findings suggest a link between mental health status and specific menstrual cycle-related symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Psychiatric morbidity in women is associated with increased reporting of menstrual distress, particularly during the premenstruum and menstrual flow.
- Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential interventions for this association.
- Community-based mental health support may benefit women experiencing significant menstrual distress.