Premenstrual Syndrome Prevalence and Related Factors in Women of Reproductive Age Living in Rural Areas: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) frequency and related factors.

Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study sample consisted of 391 women aged 15-49 who applied to family medicine outpatient clinics in a rural hospital between 15.12.2019-01.03.2020. Data were collected using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. A score above 50% of the highest possible score means that the person has PMS, while a score below 50% of the highest score means that the person does not have PMS.

Results: The prevalence of PMS was 52.7% in the current study. When the patients are categorized according to their age, 64.9% (n=37) of the patients aged 15-19, 60.9% (n=42) aged 20-24, 71.9% aged 25-29 (n=41), 47.1% (n=41) aged 30-34, 30.4% (n=14) aged 35-39, 35.9% (n=14) aged 40-44, and 47.2% (n=17) of those aged 45-49 were diagnosed with PMS. In the present study, the mean PMS scores of married women were lower than single or widowed women (p<0.001). Those who smoked had irregular menstruation, and those with a psychiatric illness in the last two years had higher PMSS scores (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p=0.010, respectively). Although the PMS score increases as the education level increases, it is not statistically significant (p= 0.517). There was no relationship between income status, residence, age at menarche, tea, coffee, chocolate, dairy products consumption and PMS.

Conclusion: PMS is identified with a frequency of 52.7% among women between the ages of 15-49. While being married is advantageous in PMS, irregular menstrual cycles, painful menstruation, and having a psychiatric illness in the last two years are disadvantages.