Premenstrual Complaints. I. Prevalence of Premenstrual Symptoms in a Swedish Urban Population

Abstract

The prevalence of premenstrual discomfort was studied in a random sample of 1083 Swedish women. Data were collected by questionnaire and assessments were made by the use of a quantitative scoring system. Mental symptoms in combination with feelings of body-swelling were common, noted in two-thirds (70%) of the women. The prevalence of certain target symptoms of premenstrual discomfort was studied. The mental symptoms were irritability, sadness and anxiety, and the physical symptoms were swelling in 3 areas of the body. Premenstrual anxiety was the only mental symptom shown to increase with age (P < 0.01). The severity of the complaints was neither affected by parity nor by abnormal cycle lengths. Absence from work during the premenstruum was reported by a small number of women and was related to the severity of the premenstrual discomfort.