[The premenstrual syndrome in adolescents]

The premenstrual syndrome is associated with the appearance of distressing somatic, physiological and behavioural symptoms at a certain phase of the menstrual cycle and has not been sufficiently studies with adolescents. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency, severity and period of appearance of the more important somatic and psychological symptoms characteristic of adolescents with PMS. The study includes 186 girls at an age between 16 and 18 years monitored for the period of one year and four months. The most frequently met somatic symptom is headache (39%), the most frequent psychological one--irritability (46%). Sufficient attention is paid to the influence of the menarche and cigarette smoking in adolescents with PMS.