Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in perimenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) of perimenopausal women at a university hospital along with their menstrual characters.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey regarding premenstrual symptoms was carried out in 100 perimenopausal women (43 to 53, years). The pattern of menstruation and, the intensity of dysmenorrhea were assessed; and further, the symptoms were classified according to their number, intensity, and persistence. The PMS criteria of American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and PMDD criteria by American Psychiatric Association (APA) were evaluated.


RESULTS
The approximate prevalence of PMS criteria was 95% and that of PMDD criteria was 23%. The most dominant symptoms were 'breast tenderness', 'abdominal bloating', 'and headache'. PMDD was significantly associated with the severity of dysmenorrhea (P = 0.020). There was no significant relation with age, height, weight, body mass index and the cycle of menstruation.


CONCLUSIONS
Most women experience PMS and PMDD, which and have a significant impact on the activity of perimenopause women. However in most women that do not know well about PMS and PMDD. We should educate and inform women of PMS and PMDD, thus helping them increase their quality of life.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Soo-Ho
SH
Chung
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Tae-Hee
TH
Kim
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Hae-Hyeog
HH
Lee
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Arum
A
Lee
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Dong-Su
DS
Jeon
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Junsik
J
Park
Departement of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Soonchunhyang University College of Medical Sciences, Asan, Korea.
Yesol
Y
Kim
Perimenopause; Premenstrual syndrome; Prevalence; Severity of illness index