title: Prevalence of perimenstrual symptoms in employed women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of perimenstrual symptoms in professionally employed women. Questionnaires were administered to all female nurses working at least 32 hr/wk in 7 different hospitals on the West Coast between October, 1987 and June, 1988. Of the 760 respondents, 594 were currently menstruating and met inclusion criteria. Symptoms frequently experienced by a majority of women included weight gain/swelling, anxiety/tension/irritability, fatigue, cramps, breast pain, mood swings, and food cravings. Symptoms were more prevalent in women under 30 years. Compared to white women, fewer Asians reported cramps and weight gain/swelling. More single women reported food cravings and depression/crying. Parity, cycle regularity, menses duration, and endometriosis were associated with perimenstrual cramps. Fewer women over 30 yrs experienced skin disorders and depression/crying. The only symptom experienced by more than 60% of women in all age groups was weight gain/swelling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rittenhouse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage; D008598:Menstruation / Q000523:psychology; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010298:Parity; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral