title: Menstrual Cycle and the Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome/Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in Adolescent Athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the menstrual cycle, menstrual disorders and premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS/PMDD) in girls and young women participating in competitive sports. The impact of PMS/PMDD symptoms on the quality of life was also analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prospective study encompassed 125 girls and young women with the aim to determine the presence of menstrual disorders and the prevalence of PMS/PMDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The studied group was composed of 75 female athletes aged 16 to 22 years. The control group included 50 healthy girls and young women who did not practice competitive sports.
  
  
  METHODS
  The studied athletes and the controls prospectively evaluated their 2 consecutive menstrual cycles by using a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research tools were a purpose-built questionnaire, a daily log of PMS symptoms according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' guidelines, and a daily log of PMDD symptoms based on the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, diagnostic criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine the impact of competitive sports on the menstrual cycle, menstrual disorders, and the prevalence of PMS/PMDD in girls and young women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intensive physical exercise delayed menarche. PMDD was diagnosed in 8% and PMS in 42.4% of all respondents. The prevalence of PMDD did not differ significantly between the groups (9.33% versus 6.00%). PMS was significantly more frequent among athletes than among controls (49.33% versus 32%, P = .045). The prevalence of PMS correlated significantly with mean age (P = .00001) and age at menarche (P = .03) in athletes. PMS was more frequent in older athletes and in girls with older age at menarche.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Competitive sports, older mean age, older age at menarche, length of sporting career, and intensity of training are conducive to PMS. The prevalence of PMS increases with the duration and intensification of competitive exercises.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Chair of Woman's Health, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariola
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czajkowska
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Chair of Woman's Health, Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: cor111@poczta.onet.pl.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drosdzol-Cop
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Chair of Woman's Health, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gałązka
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Chair of Woman's Health, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Naworska
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Chair of Woman's Health, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Violetta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Skrzypulec-Plinta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D065446:Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent athlete; Menstrual cycle; Premenstrual dysphoric disorder; Premenstrual syndrome