[Menstrual cycle perception and psychological distress in a sample of Mexican women].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between psychological distress and menstrual bleeding perception, in order to design a psychological intervention for women in reproductive age.


METHODS
Ex post facto and retrospective study in a random sample of women living in Mexico City with ages between 15 to 35 years. The following instruments were administered after reading the informed consent form: demographic and social questionnaire, gyneco-obstetric clinical history, menstrual bleeding diagnostic scale, menstrual bleeding analogical scale and the Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire.


RESULTS
909 women were interviewed and 776 completed the study. A significant statistic association existed between the presence of menorrhagia and the symptoms of psychological distress.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest a temporary interaction between physiological and psychological symptoms that produce an intense sense of distress in the women.
Morales-Carmona
Francisco
F
Departamento de Psicología, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, México DF. fmoralesc@servidor.inper.edu.mx
Pimentel-Nieto
Diana
D
Bustos-López
Hugo
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation / Q000523:psychology*; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D017584:Reproductive History; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult