Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology

Menstruation and premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology 2014; 24: Supplement S23-S23
Read: 606 Published: 18 February 2021

Since Hippocrates, it was defined that premenstrual changes such as sense of weight, headache, tinnitus, and be seen as small spots in front of eyes. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a term that is commonly used to describe a group of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that occur for several days before menstrual bleeding and calm during the menstruation. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is severe form of PMS. PMS occurs in 20–32 % of premenopausal women, and PMDD affects 3–8 % of premenopausal women. Modern studies related with PMS started with Robert Frank in 1931. Various biological and psychological factors have been proposed to cause PMDD, including the absence of progesterone, abnormal serotonin function, altered endorphin modulation of gonadotropin secretion, lack of exercise, and poor dietary habits. Recently, it has been suggested that the cyclical course of PMS could be the result of a complex chain of psycho-neuroendocrine events triggered by normal ovulation rather than hormonal imbalance. PMDD described in the chapter of depressive disorders in DSM-V. We have two studies related with PMDD and PMS published in recent years; firstly, we scanned to the prevalence, clinical features and functionality in PMS within population of Atatürk University Medical Faculty. Severe PMS was found in 5.5% of the participants. According to our results, level of higher carbohydrate and junk food consumption and dysmenorrhea were related to higher premenstrual symptom scores. The presence of dysmenorrhea was significantly correlated with poorer school performance, including class attendance and/or concentration difficulties during class and exam performance/exam attendance. In our second study, participants diagnosed as PMDD with two prospective assessments of consecutive menstrual periods had significantly higher luteal serum BDNF and HSP70 levels compared with controls, and there was a significant positive correlation between serum BDNF and HSP70 levels. Premenstrual symptoms are one of the most common problem areas and PMDD is one of the depressive disorders of young women that adversely affect their academic performance and emotional status.

EISSN 2475-0581