title: Premenstrual disorders: prevalence and associated factors in a sample of Iranian adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premenstrual disorders usually refer to Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). This study was designed to find out the frequency of premenstrual disorders and evaluate the associated factors in a sample of Iranian adolescents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to investigate the frequency of premenstrual disorders (PMS and PMDD) based on Premenstrual Assessment Scale (PAS) and also to determine the association of some demographic and menstrual characteristics with these disorders in adolescent girls.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross sectional study. A sample of adolescent school girls aged between 14 and 19 years were included in the study. Diagnostic assessments were based on Premenstrual Assessment Scale (PAS). The data were analyzed in a descriptive fashion and were compared among subgroups of the study sample. In addition, demographic and menstrual factors associations with premenstrual disorders were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 1379 female students were included in the study. About 99.5 % of the students reported at least one premenstrual symptom. Of these, 66.3% was mild, 31.4% moderate and 2.3% severe. A total of 814 girls (59%) met the diagnostic criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Most frequently reported symptoms were back pain, lethargy, fatigue and anxiety. Early menarche, lower education was associated with higher scores on PAS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Premenstrual disorders are common in adolescent girls. Preventive and treatment strategies are highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delara
authors.affiliation: Research Development Center, Crez Co., Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Borzuei
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Centre, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montazeri
keywords: Depressive Disorder; Premenstrual Syndrome; Prevalence, Dysmenorrhea