• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.96-120
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reports the findings that support the efficacy of herbal medicine (HM) for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: We conducted meta-analysis of findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for PMS treated with HM. The articles were published before July 2022, located using 9 databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, CiNii, SCIENCE ON, KoreaMed, OASIS). Results: We observed 2,034 studies, of which 23 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. The risk of bias in the included studies was relatively unclear or high. Meta-analysis of 3 RCTs showed that HM group had a significantly higher total effective rate than the western medicine group (RR 1.20 [95% CI 1.06, 1.36, p=0.004]). Meta-analysis of 1 RCT showed that HM group had a significantly lower symptom score (MD -3.04 [95% CI -5.36, -0.72, p=0.01]), while there was no significant difference in daily record of severity of problems scale (MD -20.52 [95% CI -49.33, 8.29, p=0.16]). Conclusions: HM significantly improved PMS symptoms than general treatment and no serious adverse events were reported. However, the evidence on the effectiveness and safety of HM for PMS was not enough to provide reliable results due to the small number and low quality of included studies. We believe that rigorous RCTs will lead to more reliable evidence of the intervention.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 2015

Menstrual problem (premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea) is a common gynecological complaints among women in reproductive age. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of isoflavone and Cynanchum wilfordii for improvement of premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea. Subjects were 30 college women in Busan, divided into three groups (CG; control group, n=10; IS group; isoflavone supplement group, n=10; CS group; Cynanchum wilfordii supplement group, n=10). They showed 5.0 or higher for menstrual pain when tested by the VAS. IS group was allocated a isoflavone pill (500 mg/day) for 8 weeks, and CS group was allocated a Cynanchum wilfordii pill (6 g/day) for 8 weeks. We administered a menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ), and visual analogue scale(VAS). There were no differences among the three groups in general characteristics, nutrients intake, MDQ, or VAS. In the CG group, there were no differences in MDQ, or VAS after 8 weeks. In the IS group, negative emotions, behavioral changes, concentration, pain, autonomic nervous system response, water retention, and skin changes significantly improved (P<0.05). In the CS group, negative emotions, pain, autonomic nervous system response, and water retention significantly decreased after 8 weeks (P<0.05). Changes in negative emotion, pain, autonomic nervous system response, water retention, skin changes significantly improved in the CS group compared to the control group (P<0.05). VAS significantly decreased in the IS and CS groups (P<0.05). The decrease in VAS differed among three groups, with the CS group showing a larger decrease than the control group and IS group (P<0.001).

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-60
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture therapy on the premenstrual syndrome. Methods : Volunteers of twenty subjects were employed using DRSP questionnaire. Subjects were divided into two groups including active-acupuncture treatment group, placebo acupuncture treatment group. In the control group, subjects were needled at $SI_5$, $ST_{40}$ points and in the acupuncture group, subjects were stimulated at two basic points, $SP_6$ and $CV_6$, and several points were inserted additionally depending the symptoms including $LR_2$, $LR_3$, $SP_10$, $LI_4$, and $ST_3$. A total of 13 acupuncture sessions were performed for each patient depending on the individual menstruation cycle over 8 weeks. Concentration of blood progesterone was examined and Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) was taken before and after acupuncture treatment.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.188-192
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• 1994

The author reports a 32 years old female patient with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder who received evening bright light treatment for 7 consecutive days during the late luteal phase of menstrual cycle. After the treatment, beneficial clinical effects were observed. This result suggests that bright light can be an alternative treatment for LLPDD. However, the placebo effects should be ruled out completely. Further controlled studies with more patients will be needed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.38-47
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• 2001

L-theanine is a unique amino acid, found almost solely in tea plants. It is the main component responsible for the exotic taste of green tea. In our studies of L-theanine, we have found a variety of biological activities including relaxation and the alleviation of PMS. In general, animals generate very weak electric pulses on the surface of the brain, called brain waves. Brain waves are classified into four types, namely $\alpha$, $\beta$, $\delta$ and $\theta$-waves, based on their frequency. Brain waves correlate with individual mental conditions. For example, generation of $\alpha$-waves is considered an index of relaxation. In human volunteers, $\alpha$-waves were generated on the occipital and parietal regions of the brain surface within 40 minutes after the oral administration of 50 or 200 mg Suntheanine$^{TM}$ without causing drowsiness. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a symptom unique to women which appears in the luteal phase from the ovulation period through the first day of menstruation. It possesses characteristics of having a peak just prior to menstruation and disappearing 1 - 2 days following the start of menstruation. Symptoms of PMS are generally categorized as mental, physical and social symptoms. When comparing the reported Symptoms of PMS by the methods of MDQ score, the Suntheanine$^{TM}$ group was found to have a lower incidence of PMS symptoms, including physical, mental and social symptoms. Overall, a significant alleviation of PMS symptoms by the administration of 200 mg Suntheanine$^{TM}$ was observed. With the successful industrial production of L-theanine, we are now able to supply Suntheanine$^{TM}$, offering a tremendous opportunity for designing functional foods targeting relaxation and the alleviation of PMS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.223-237
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• 1996

This study was conducted in order to contribute to female student health by providing fundamental data for health instruction and health counsel. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of PMS by a menstrual distress questionnaire, and determine sex-identity factors related to PMS. The data were collected by a questionaire conducted from December 1,1995 to December 20, 1995. The subjects of research were 1,102 high school students in Seoul. The data analyzed was done using the SPSS PC+, and the results were as follows; 1. The perceived subjective symptoms were clusted behavioral change, negative affects, pain, impaired concentration, water retention and autonomic reactions. The most common symtoms during the period of 2 to 10 days before menses were vaginal discharge(79%), back pain(70.4%), nervous tension(60.8%), fatigue(56.2%), abdominal bloating(54.5%), mood change(52.8), pelvic pain(46.8%), resistance to study(45.9) and talking(43.3). 2. There was a significant correlation between the clusters symptoms; negative affects and behavioral changes(r=.9326, p=.000), behavioral changes and impaired concentration (r=.8572, p=.000), negative affects and impaired concentration(r=.8411, p=.000) and autonomic reaction and pain(r=.7267, p=.000). 3. Sex-identity factors were related to PMS ; perception of the female(F=5.1811, p=.006) and pregnancy concerns (T=3.54, p=.000).

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was performed to identity the relationship between PMS and menstrual attitudes. Method: Data were collected from 417 female college students in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do area during the period from the 6th of September to the 15th of October in 2004. Collected data were analysed using the SPSS WIN 11.0. Result: The results of this study were as follows: 1) Perceived subjective symptoms were clustered endogenous depressive feature($2.76{\pm}.97$), anxiety($2.76{\pm}1.09$), and impulsivity($2.72{\pm}1.02$). 2) PMS was significantly different according to the general characteristics of grade(F=3.414, p=.018), major(F=2.755, P=.004), menarche age(F=5.910, p=.003), pain(F=7.886, p=.000), family history(F=5.366, p=.005). 3) Menstrual attitudes was significantly different according to the general characteristics of grade(F=3.315, p=.020), major(F=3.813, P=.000), religion(F=6.313, p=.000), interval of menstruation(F=2.834, p=.016), pain(F=3.059, p=.048), family history(F=3.062, p=.048). 4) Menstrual attitudes and PMS were in a positive correlation with each other (r=.112, p=.002). Conclusion: This results showed that there is a significant correlation between PMS and menstrual attitudes. For further research, it is recommended to identity major factors affecting PMS and the relationships between them and various subjects.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.546-559
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• 2020

This study examined the effects of manipulative therapy interventions applied to alleviate menstrual discomfort caused by premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea. To identify all relevant articles, a search of the articles published from inception up to May 31, 2018 revealed 1,808 studies in eleven databases. Two researchers independently evaluated the quality assessment of theses for 30 studies (31 reports) that satisfied the inclusion criteria using RoB (Ris of Bias) and RoBANS (Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies). The data were analyzed by meta-analysis. The effect sizes of the intervention applied to alleviate PMS were -1.20 (95% confidence intervals (CI): -1.55 to -0.86) for foot reflexology, -0.44 (95% CI: -0.68 to -0.20) for auricular acupressure therapy, and -0.56 (95% CI: -0.80 to -0.32) for acupressure therapy. The effect sizes of the intervention applied to alleviate dysmenorrhea were -0.64 (95% CI: -1.07 to -0.20) for foot reflexology, -1.09 (95% CI: -1.46 to -0.71) for auricular acupressure therapy, and -0.75 (95% CI: -1.00 to -0.50) for acupressure therapy, -0.68 (95% CI: -1.08 to -0.27) for massage. This study suggests that the manipulative therapy is effective in alleviating the menstrual discomfort caused by dysmenorrhea and PMS.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.267-280
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• 2013

Objective : One of the unique syndromes in Asian traditional medicine named 'heat entering the blood chamber(熱入血室, HEBC)' first appeared in Shanghanlun(傷寒論) and Jinguiyaolue(金匱要略) written by Zhangzhongjing(張仲景) who is the most famous doctor in ancient China. Method : Through comparison between Huangdineijing(黃帝內經), Shanghanlun(傷寒論), Jinguiyaolue(金匱要略) and other medical texts, the correct meaning, causes and mechanisms of HEBC can be analysed and organized to suggest new view of HEBC in modern society. Result : This syndrome is usually occurred in women during catching cold and menstruation, accompanying alternation of chillness and fever, pseudo-malaria, delirium, raveled chest(結胸), uterine hemorrhage, etc. The main sign of this syndrome, delirium belongs to the category of liver disease and fever in Huangdineijing(黃帝內經) which is a document more early published than Shanghanlun. Although there are still many other comprehensions about what blood chamber is, it could be the same as uterus according to Huangdineijing, it is relevant to the control of menstruation and emotions, and the function of liver and thoroughfare vessel(衝脈). Conclusion : HEBC is a syndrome exclusive to women, caused by their unique physical and psychological characteristics. It's beginning can be found in Huangdineijing, and by Shanghanlun and Jinguiyaolue, its concept as a single disease pattern becomes established. In other words, HEBC is a complex disease related to menstruation and its related hormonal dysfunctions, closely related to PMS, menopausal syndrome of today. Physical symptoms accompanied by psychological anxiety and fear is characteristic of this condition. Therefore gynecological approaches as well as socio-cultural issues related to women in modern society must be adopted when dealing with HEBC.