title: Premenstrual symptomatology, alcohol consumption, and family history of alcoholism in women with premenstrual syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among family history of alcoholism (FH), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, and alcohol consumption in women with a PMS diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N = 46) were predominantly white (73%) women, of whom 17 (37%) reported multigenerational alcoholism on the paternal side (FH positive [FH+]) using the Family Alcohol and Drug Survey. Subjects recorded alcohol consumption and PMS symptoms using a daily record form for 3 consecutive months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographics and alcohol consumption during the follicular phase (FOL) and premenstrual phase (PREM) of the menstrual cycle did not differ by FH; however, change in drinking from FOL to PREM was greater in FH+ (mean change = 2.78 drinks/week) versus FH negative (FH-; mean change = -0.72 drinks/week) women. During PREM, FH- women reported more PMS symptomatology compared with FH+ women, and alcohol consumption during PREM was positively correlated with ratings of bloating, craving for alcohol, craving for food, and low energy in FH- but not FH+ women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although FH+ women increased their drinking premenstrually, such use was unrelated to PMS symptom severity.
authors.affiliation: The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. dssvikis@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Dace S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Svikis
authors.forename: Donna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hoehn-Saric
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McLeod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies