• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2007

Premenstural dysphoric disorder(PMDD) imposing 4-5% of women is possibly caused by an enhanced responsiveness to the changes of sex steroid hormones and the decrease of serotonin, melatonin and GABA. The common clinical features between PMDD and depression, seasonal affective disorder, panic disorder and anorexia nervosa suggest a relatedness between PMDD and each of them. The diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV-Tr for PMDD requires psychological symptoms, that commonly include irritability, anger, depression, mood swing, affect lability, tension, anxiety, fatigue and food craving. As of today, the best pharmacological treatment for PMDD is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibiter, and leuprolide, danazol, estradiol, spironolactone and bromocriptine are possible alternatives. Nonpharmacological treatments for patients with mild to moderate symptom severity are diet, exercise, light therapy, psychotherapy and keeping a diary.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2006

Objectives: The study was intended to explore the relationships between temperament and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, to understand symptomatology of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and associated personality trait and to suggest therapeutic availability. Method : Twenty eight women, diagnosed as premenstrual dysphoric disorder by DSM-IV, were asked to complete the Korean version of Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire, and Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form. The correlations between the severity of premenstrual symptoms and the scores of Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire were calculated. Results : The severity of symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder was best explained by the harm-avoidance factor of the four dimensions of temperament. Conclusion : The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder are well explained by the harmavoidance factor and the reward-dependence factor of four dimensions of the temperament.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.314-321
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• 2002

Women with the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) report increased cravings for certain foods and altered taste preferences ding the premenstrual period. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association of PMDD with luteal phase food cravings, appetite, and taste preferences in 1,078 nurses. Among the 626 nurses who gave valid responses, the prevalence of PMDD and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was 4.6% (N = 29) and 78.3% (N = 490), respectively. A highly significant increase was observed in the preference for sweet tasting foods during the luteal phase, compared to the follicular phase. Desire for sweet foods during the premenstrual period was significantly different among the three groups, being highest in the PMDD group, lower in the PMS group, and lowest in women with no symptoms. Both the PMDD and PMS groups showed significant increases in preferences for pungent tasting foods during the luteal phase. A repeated measures of analysis of variance on the taste preference data revealed that the desire for sweet tasting foods was significantly greater than for others such as salty, sour, and pungent tastes. A greater proportion of the subjects in the PMDD and PMS groups reported an increase in their total food intake during the luteal phase, compared to those women without premenstrual symptoms. Compared to the PMS group or the women with no symptoms, the PMDD group reported increased intakes of high carbohydrate foods during the luteal phase. The most commonly reported food cravings were for sauteed spicy rice cakes (ddukbokki), or for cold buckwheat noodles mixed in chili pepper sauce. These results indicate that the luteal phase food cravings, appetite and taste preferences change in accordance with the severity of the premenstrual symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2013

Objectives : To investigate the frequency and clinical characteristics of premenstrual syndrome(PMS)/premenstrual dysphoric disorder(PMDD) in high school students, and determine the correlates of PMS/PMDD in association with comorbid depression and anxiety. Methods : A total of 1688 students were recruited from 5 high schools in Seoul, Korea. Subjects completed the questionnaire composed of scales to measure premenstrual symptoms, depression, and anxiety, as well as sociodemographic and reproductive variables. Subjects were categorized into 3 groups by using the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool(PSST) to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of PMS/PMDD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the correlates of PMS/PMDD. Results : The frequency of moderate to severe PMS and PMDD was 20.1% and 6.4%, respectively. Irritability(78.8%), fatigue(76.4%), and emotional sensitivity(69.8%) were common premenstrual symptoms, and functional impairment in academic performance(67.1%) was dominant. Dysmenorrhea[odd ratio(OR)=3.68, 95% confidence interval(CI) 2.45-5.55], family history of PMS(OR=1.91, 95% CI 1.35-2.71), and use of oral contraceptive (OR=1.85, 95% CI 1.16-2.94) were associated with the increased risk of PMS/PMDD after adjustment for depression and anxiety. Negative attitude to menses(OR=15.60, 95% CI 3.61-67.42) was associated with the increased risk of PMS/PMDD, particularly in subjects without depression and anxiety. Conclusions : PMS was common, as the frequency of PMS more than moderate severity including PMDD exceeded 25%, and disrupted daily functioning in adolescents. PMS is associated with various sociodemographic and menstrual characteristics, and these associations are affected by comorbid depression and anxiety.

• 건강소식
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.24-25
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• 2012

월경전증후군은 여성만이 경험할 수 있는 생리 전 불편감을 치료가 필요할 정도로 심각하게 느끼는 병을 말한다. 여성의 65%가 가벼운 우울감과 같은 생리 전 불편 증상을 호소하고, 20~40%는 월경 때마다 반복되는 치료가 필요한 정도의 다양한 증상으로 월경전증후군을 앓고 있다. 또한, 이들 중 2~9%는 사회적, 직업적으로 더욱 심각한 증상 때문에 치료를 받게 되는데 이를 월경 전 불쾌장애라고 부른다.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 1999

Objectives: Patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder(or PMDD) have impairments of the social, occupational or academic function due to psychological or somatic symptoms, which have the characteristic pattern of symptom exacerbation in the week before menses begin and remission shortly after the onset of menses. In the chronobiological view, many researchers have assumed that the etiology of PMDD is the advanced circadian rhythm. It has been suggested that light has a therapeutic effect on PMDD, because evening light results in phase delay of circadian rhythm through the biochemical changes including melatonin. Methods: The authors investigated the therapeutic effect of light therapy on four patients with prospectively diagnosed PMDD by DSM-IV criteria using clinical psychiatric interview, Premenstrual Assessment Form(PAF) and Daily Rating Form(or DRF). In the evening(6:30pm-8:00pm), the 2,500 lux light administered for seven consecutive days during the symptomatic late luteal phase of menstrual cycle. Beck Depression Inventory(or BDI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(or HAM-D), Spielberg State Anxiety Inventory(or SA), and DRF were evaluated before and after seven days of light therapy. Results: Premenstrual symptoms of PMDD could be effectively treated with the evening bright light therapy, especially in PMDD patients with atypical symptoms. In addition, the light therapy seemed to more effective on the psychologic symptoms than the somatic symptoms of PMDD. There was no significant side-effect of light therapy, except the transient and mild eye-strain in one case. Conclusions: In spite of the results of limited data from our clinical trial, the authors suggest that the potential use of light therapy as an alternative to the pharmacological management of patients with PMDD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2015

Objectives:Within the normal reproductive cycles of women, dramatic fluctuations of sexual hormones occur in the premenstrual and menopausal periods. In both periods, women are vulnerable to mood disturbances and show several somatic complaints. Based on these common clinical profiles and physiological changes, a relationship between vasomotor symptoms and the premenstrual syndrome has been suggested. However, attempts to establish such a link have yielded inconclusive results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between histories of premenstrual syndrome and menopausal vasomotor symptoms within different menopausal stages. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited Korean women aged 45-64 years who were perimenopausal and postmenopausal from 16 branch offices of the Korean Association of Health Promotion. All subjects completed self-report questionnaires that asked about a history of premenstrual syndromes, vasomotor symptoms, and several other variables. Results:A total of 1054 participants(361 perimenopausal women and 693 postmenopausal women) completed the study. Severity of premenstrual symptoms significantly correlated with postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms, only in late perimenopausal(r=0.213, p=0.010) and early postmenopausal women(r=0.246, p<0.001). After adjusting for several factors related to vasomotor symptoms, a history of premenstrual syndrome was a significant predictor of moderate to very severe vasomotor symptoms in late perimenopausal(OR=5.197, p=0.005) and early postmenopausal women(OR=3.017, p=0.010). Conclusions:This study suggests that a history of premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder is differentially associated with vasomotor symptoms in the menopausal stage. Prospective studies with larger population are needed to confirm these findings

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2012

Objectives : We investigated the prevalence and functional impairment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome(PMS) in young women. Methods : A total of 1063 female college students were recruited from two urban areas(Seoul and Suwon) of Korea. Questionnaires for sociodemographic data and risk factors of PMDD, attitude about menstruation, and the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool(PSST) were applied. Results : The prevalence of severe moderate to severe PMS and PMDD were 16.9% and 11.7%, respectively. There were differences in the alcohol and coffee consumption, severity of menstrual cramp, and family history of PMS among the moderate to severe PMS, PMDD, and no/mild PMS groups. Although some participants did not fulfill diagnostic criteria for PMDD, they showed significant functional impairment. Participants with negative attitude about menstruation reported premenstrual symptoms more frequently than those with positive or ambivalent attitude about menstruation. Conclusion : These results suggest that PMS and PMDD were prevalent and associated with functional impairment in young females. Some participants reported significant functional impairments although they did not meet the full DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for PMDD. Negative attitude about menstruation was associated with more premenstrual symptoms experiences.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2006

Objectives : Objectives of this study was to explore the relationships between anger, alexithymia and premenstrual syndrome(PMS). Methods The subjects included 125 women with PMS and 58 women with non-PMS assessed by Daily record of Severity of Problems(DRSP) and Shortened Premestrual Assessment Form(SPAE). Anger level was assessed by anger expression scale. The level of alexithymia was assessed by Toronto alexithymia scale. We compared the scores of anger, alexithymia between PMS group and no-PMS group. Results : The mean scores of anger in(p=0.04), anger total(p=0.01) were significantly higher in women with PMS compared to control subjects. and the mean scores of alexithymia(p=0.04) were also significantly higher in women with PMS compared to control subjects. Conclusions : This study showed that the level of anger and alexithymia could be higher in women with PMS compared to control subjects, and that symptoms of PMS could be associated with anger and alexithymia. therefore, It would be better to consider the level of anger and alexithymia in treating and evaluating women with PMS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.190-195
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to identify the change of energy intake, blood sugar and body composition in accordance with menstrual cycle among the women with the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) group and women with no premenstrual symptoms (NPS) group. Energy and carbohydrate intake were significantly increased in luteal and menstrual phases than follicular phase in both groups. Protein intake was significantly increased in luteal phase than follicular phase in both of groups. Fat intake was not difference in according to the menstrual phases in both groups. Weight and body water were significantly increased in luteal and menstrual phases than follicular phase in both groups. Fat mass was significantly increased in luteal phase than follicular phase in both groups. However, the differences in energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intake, weight, body water and fat mass between groups were not significant. Above finding of this study showed that women's energy intake and body composition have connection with change of menstrual cycle and implied that more systematic study which affects menstrual cycle is requested.