Biological, social, and behavioral factors associated with premenstrual syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of various biological, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors on premenstrual syndrome (PMS).


METHODS
Random-digit dialing technique. Of 7900 calls from all area codes, exchanges, and 2 digits known to be open in Virginia, with a pair of random digits, 1700 women were eligible for telephone interviews. A total of 874 women completed interviews, for a response rate of 67%.


METHODS
State of Virginia.


METHODS
All women between the ages of 18 and 44 years and living in Virginia between August 1 and September 15, 1994, were eligible.


METHODS
Scores on Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, biological variables, lifestyle behaviors, socioeconomic status, and menstrual and reproductive history.


RESULTS
Of the 874 women, 8.3% (95% confidence interval, 6.4%-10.2%) experienced PMS. Adjusted prevalence odds ratios for perceived stress and alcohol intake were 3.7 and 2.5, respectively, in women with PMS. Women with PMS were 2.9 times more likely to be physically active than women without PMS. Younger women, black women, and women with longer menses were more likely to have PMS.


CONCLUSIONS
Scores on the stress scale and alcohol intake support the concept that PMS is stress related; intervention strategies to cope with stress may be effective. Further study will be required to determine the influence of race on PMS and whether women with PMS exercise more regularly than women without PMS because they believe exercise is effective in attenuating their symptoms.
Deuster
P A
PA
Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md., USA. pdeuster@usuhs.mil
Adera
T
T
South-Paul
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D014768:Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology