Prevalence of premenstrual symptoms: Preliminary analysis and brief review of management strategies

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of premenstrual cyclic symptoms in perimenopausal age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Women attending Bhavan's SPARC Maitreyi's Health Care Programme (HCP) for women around 40 years of age were included in the study. Last 200 women who attended from April 2002 to October 2004 are included for analysis. Out of these 107 qualified for final analysis as others were post hysterectomy or post menopausal. Thirty five symptoms listed under premenstrual tension syndrome were analysed. RESULTS: Forty one women (38.3%) had 3 or more symptoms whilst 15 (14.0%) had 5 or more cyclic symptoms. Five women (4.7%) reported that the symptoms were severe. Eleven women had seeked treatment for premenstrual tension syndrome (PMTS). The commonest symptom was mastalgia or heaviness of breasts. Next was whilst also was reported by several women. Women reported anger attacks and reported depression. CONCLUSION: PMTS was common between 36 and 55 years. About half of them have experienced 3 more symptoms and 1 in 20 may require treatment.