A population-based survey of Asian women's experience of premenstrual symptoms

Abstract

Objective

This paper aims to explore women's experiences of premenstrual symptoms in three Asian countries and the factors affecting the prevalence of these symptoms.

Study design

Cross-sectional survey. A sample of 1202 women aged 15–49 years were recruited by random sampling in Hong Kong, Pakistan and Thailand.

Main outcome measures

The interviewer used a questionnaire with a checklist of 23 premenstrual symptoms, sociodemographic and lifestyle variables.

Results

The most prevalent symptoms were joint, muscle and back pain, cramps, abdominal pain and breast tenderness. The severity of symptoms was directly proportional to duration (months affected) (R = 0.85). Significant effects on symptom duration, severity, index of age (linear and quadratic effects), educational level and parity were found by multiple regression. There were also differences between countries for certain symptoms.

Conclusions

Physical symptoms are an important component of premenstrual syndromes. These have been shown to be psychobiological in nature. Further analysis will examine the impact on the quality of life and the relationship with existing classificatory systems.