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Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the symptoms and zinc, magnesium and calcium levels of females with the diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) with those of the healthy volunteers.
Method: The subjects of the study are 29 university student females with the diagnosis of PMDD according to DSM-IV diagnosis criteria and 27 female volunteers matched in terms of age and education, who are not suffering from PMDD despite showing some premenstrual syndrome symptoms. A survey involving premenstrual syndrome symptoms and diet type was conducted on the participants. Serum zinc, plasma magnesium and calcium levels of menstrual cycles of every participant were analyzed at luteal phase.
Results: In the patient group, the most frequent psychological symptom was nervousness (irritation) (86%) while physiological symptoms were stomach ache (96%) and breast tenderness (76%). In the control group, the most frequent psychological symptom was nervousness (63%), while physiological symptom was breast tenderness (48%). In terms of methods to deal with PMDD symptoms, in both the patient and the control groups, analgesic + heat application was preferred. No significant difference was found between the plasma calcium and magnesium levels and serum zinc levels taken from the groups during luteal period.
Conclusion: Although various theories have been put forward in the etiology of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, there isn’t a universally accepted theory yet. Among these theories, more research is needed for the clarification of the relation between mineral changes.