• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2011

This study was designed to compare the incidence and severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) between normal (N = 85) and overweight or obese (N = 28) college female students and investigated correlation between PMS, nutrient intake, hematological index and psychological index (depression, anxiety, stress). Each subject was asked a Menstrual Discomfort Questionnaire (MDQ) for PMS by 5 Likert scale. The PMS scores of women in the normal weight subjects ranked in order of severity were water retention (2.71), followed by behavioral change (2.58), negative affect (2.46), pain (2.31), autonomic reaction (2.27), decreased concentration (2.16). The symptoms of 'pain' and 'behavioral change' of overweight or obese subject were significantly higher than those of normal subject (p < 0.05). And total cholesterol concentration of overweight or obese subjects was significantly higher than in normal subject (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the symptoms of 'negative effect' and BMI. And the triglyceride concentration was positively related with 'water retention (p < 0.01)'. The symptoms of 'decreased concentration' were negatively correlated with calcium (p < 0.01) and vitamin B6 intake (p < 0.05). The depression score were positively related with symptoms of 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)', 'negative affect' (p < 0.01), and the anxiety score was positively correlated with 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)' and 'decreased concentration (p < 0.05)'. The stress score was positively correlated with 'decreased concentration (p < 0.01)', 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)' and 'negative affect (p < 0.05)'. This suggests that PMS represents the clinical manifestation of a calcium, vitamin $B_6$ deficiency and psychological disorder. Therefore we concluded that nutrient supplementation, depression and stress management may help to relieve PMS symptoms.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.204-209
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• 2019

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) encompasses a vast array of physical and psychological symptoms. Of the herbal supplements mentioned for remedy PMS symptoms, chamomile used as an effective herbal medicine. The overall purpose of this review was to determine the efficacy of chamomile on the treatment PMS. An extensive research review using Web of Science, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register database, PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Psych INFO, Social Science Research Network, SID, Google Scholar, Iran Doc, Magiran and Iran Medex. Eligible studies were identified from English and Persian databases, published between 1990 and 2019. Studies were screened independently by two researchers who performed the data extraction. Of Twenty-seven studies identified, Eight RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Chamomile has been used to treat PMS relief because of therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory effects (Chamazulene and α-Bisabolol); anti-spasmodic effects (Apigenin, Quercetin, and Luteolin, Metoxicomarin, Matrisin, and Phytoestrogens); anti-anxiety effects (Glycine, Flavonoid). The results of this review show that Chamomile is effective for the treatment of PMS. Based on these results, we believe that Chamomile can be used as good herbal medicine to treat in women with PMS.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.123-123
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• 2018

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder affecting the emotional and physical health of women during certain periods of the menstrual cycle. Many researchers who have previously studied PMS have believed that PMS is associated with changes in sex hormones and serotonin levels at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. However, recent studies suggest that progesterone/estrogen imbalance and elevation of prolactin-induced by dopamine low-secretion play a crucial role in increasing PMS symptoms. Because of this, we have focused on mitigating PMS symptoms through the mechanism of prolactin secretion inhibition by dopamine receptor activation. The inhibition of prolactin secretion by 61-kinds of medicinal herb extracts was investigated in GH3 pituitary cells. Among them, Inula heleniun L. root extract (IHE) showed excellent prolactin secretion inhibitory effect. IHEs were prepared using 30, 50, and 70% ethanol. And the yield, cytotoxicity, dopamine receptor activity and inhibition of prolactin secretion of each extract were measured. Through a series of experiments, we found that prolactin secretion was significantly reduced (P<0.01) by the components present in IHE and that dopamine receptor regulation was possible (P<0.05). Considering yield and safety, we suggest the use of 30% ethanol IHE in the development of PMS symptom relief products.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.320-332
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to examine premenstrual symptoms (PMS) according to physical activity of high school girls. Method: Data were collected from 323 high school girls using structured questionnaires, Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and AVOVA. Results: The mean score of PMS was low (2.200.81). Among the subcategories, negative feeling (2.491.26) was the highest. Physical activity levels were coded as inactive, minimal activity and health enhancing physical activity, among which minimal activity (53.0%) was the highest. Significant differences in PMS were observed according to subjective health condition (F=10.83, p<.001), alcohol intake (t=-1.99, p=.048), caffeine intake (F=3.04, p=.029), dietary habit (F=4.78, p=.009), amount of menstruation (F=4.57, p=.011), discomfort in daily life (F=28.94, p<.001), degree of menstrual pain (F=41.23, p<.001), method of menstrual pain relief (F=4.29, p=.015), and family history (F=11.45, p<.001). Significant difference in PMS was observed according to the physical activity level (F=3.12, p=.046), and health enhancing physical activity (2.540.87) was the highest. Conclusion: These findings suggest that PMS intervention programs would be considered factors related to PMS. Conduct of further studies is recommended for evaluation of the relationship between physical activity and PMS.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.103-115
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• 1999

Objectives : A large of studies have found an association between premenstrual syndrome and affective disorder, in particular, depression. Some studies have reported that women with depressive disorders may experience menstrual cycle-associated changes in the severity of their symptoms. This study was designed to compare the characteristics of premenstrual changes between control group and affective patient group, and to assess possible risk factors for premenstrual changes in patients. Methods : Eighty normal controls and eighty outpatients given maintenance therapy with fixed dose for at least more than four weeks were asked to complete questionnaires on menstrual history, obstetric-gynecological history, and functional impairment. In addition, to compare the characteristics of premenstrual changes, 16 items based on DSM-IV criteria A for premenstrual dysphoric disorder were rated on the following scale : 0(no change), 1(mild), 2(moderate), 3(severe). Moderate or severe change in each item was considered as premenstrual change and the subjects who reported more than one premenstrual change were defined as premenstrual change group. Results : The results were as follows : 1) The percentage of premenstrual change group was 32.6% in patient group and 50% in control group. 2) Frequently reported premenstrual changes were as follows in control group : breast tenderness; anger ; affective liability ; lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy ; abdominal pain or discomfort. In patients, the mood or behavioral changes were frequently reported. The changes were as follows : lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy ; change in appetite; affective liability ; sense of difficulty in concentrating : hypersomnia or insomnia. 3) In the premenstrual change group, the patients with only mood or behavioral changes were significantly more than those with only physical changes or both changes. 4) The severity of functional impairment was significantly correlated with the frequency of mood or behavioral changes in patients. 5) There were no significant differences in menstrual characteristics between patients with premenstrual changes and patients without them except the severity of dysmenorrhea. And the severity of dysmenorrhea was correlated with the frequency of premenstrual change. Conclusion : The proportion of patients with affective disorder, who reported moderate-to-severe premenstrual changes, experiencing mood or behavioral changes larger than those experiencing physical changes during premenstrual period. It is possible that some patients with affective disorder, who reported premenstrual mood or behavioral changes, suffer from coexisting premenstrual syndrome with affective disorder or premenstrual exacerbation of affective disorder. Since the more premenstrual changes, the severer functional impairment, the patients reporting mood or behavioral disturbance in premenstrual period should be carefully evaluated, and appropriate therapeutic stategies might be considered.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 1995

Reports about the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms state that occurs in 20 to 100% of most reproductive-age women. There is a close association between premenstrual syndrome and affective disorders as well as same some other psychiatric disorders. Late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (LLPDD) is a premenstrual condition defined in DSM-III-R by severe mood changes and other symptoms that repeatedly occur only in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. However, DSM-III-R does not specify how to compute the change from the follicular to the luteal phase or how to determine when the amount of change is great enough to warrant the diagnosis nor how to determine occupational or social functional impairment. This study was conducted to evaluate the nature, severity and magnitude of premenstrual syndrome in women with current psychiatric disorders by using prospective Daily Rating Form(DRF), and to measure symptom changes according to three scoring methods for diagnosing LLPDD. Our study obtains the data about premenstrual changes estimated by DRF from 22 women with psychiatric disorders who had met criteria for major depressive syndrome on the Premenstrual Assessment Form (PAF). The data was scored by each three methods and was determined to meet criteria A for LLPDD. The results are as follows: 1) the subjects, when scored according to the percent change method, effect size method and absolute severity method, met the DSM-III-R criteria A for LLPDD in 36.4% (8 subjects), 14% (3 subjects) and 4.5% (1 subject) of the cases respectively. 2) The items of irritability, anger and impatience were occurred most frequently on the DRF, when it was scored according to the three scoring methods. And the item of breast pain was next frequent according to the effect size method and the percent change method but according to the absolute severity method. 3) The PAF item of impaired social functioning was reported by 16 (73%) of the subjects. 4) 4 (18%) of the subjects met criteria A for LLPDD and reported impaired social functioning. The prevalency of LLPDD according to each method varied. The percent change method yielded the greatest (36.4%), and the absolute seventy method yielded the laest (4.5%), The effect size method yielded an intermediate frequency (14%). Therefore, for maximizing the diagnostic accuracy of LLPDD, a diagnostic procedure including a measure of change (e.q., effect size method, percent change method) as well as confirmed diagnosis by DRF, will be needed. Also, an accurate tool to evaluate impaired social functioning will be required.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2008

Objectives : Premenstrual syndrome(PMS) is known to occur in more than 80% of reproductive women. Since PMS is closely related to changes in sex hormones, biological factors are suspected to be associated with the syndrome, but there have been no consistent reports regarding biological causes. In that sense, it is postulated that the occurrence of PMS is much dependent on the biological aspects, but that the severity or characteristics of the syndrome is more dependent on the psychological factors. Studies focusing on psychological factors are based on the theory that symptoms of PMS and previous psychologically traumatic events are closely related. If the theory is valid, it can be further postulated that symptom severity of PMS is associated with dissociative symptoms, since traumatic events are known to be related to dissociative symptoms. In this study, we tried to find out the association of PMS symptom severity with previous abuse history and dissociative symptoms. Methods : Subjects for the study were 377 nurses working in Seoul, Kyung-gi, and Kyung-book. 183 subjects who submitted valid data entered the study. The presence and the symptom severity of PMS were rated using Daily Records of Severity of Problems(DRSP) and Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form(SPAF). Dissociative symptoms were evaluated with Dissociation Experience Scale Korean version(DES-K). Previous physical/verbal abuse, sexual abuse, and parental spouse abuse experience were rated with correspondent abuse scales. Results : Subjects were divided into 3 groups as No PMS group, mild to moderate PMS group, and severe PMS group according to SPAF total score. There was a statistically significant difference in DES-K total score among 3 groups($x^2=14.966$, df=2, p=0.001). Physical/verbal abuse scale($x^2=14.397$, df=2, p=0.001), sexual abuse scale($x^2=8.376$, df=2, p=0.015), and parental spouse abuse scale($x^2=9.322$, df=2, p=0.009) also revealed a significant difference among 3 groups. Symptom severity of PMS using SPAF total score showed a positive correlation both with degree of dissociative experience and previous abuse experience. There was a statistically significant difference in both dissociative experience and previous abuse experience among 3 groups. Conclusion : These results show that there can be a possible association among PMS symptoms, dissociative symptoms, and previous psychologically traumatic experience.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.603-614
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the correlation between Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and nutritional intake, blood composition of female students. One hundred and one female students were selected as the experimental subjects at Gyeongsang National University. To assess the PMS symptoms of the subjects, a questionnaire (PAP) score based on the methods of Halbreich, Endicor and Nee was prepared with 34 different items. Dietary survey was conducted by 24­hour recall method for 3 days and nutrient intakes were analyzed by the CAN-Pro. Blood composition of WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, Ca and Mg was measured. The average height, weight and BMI of subjects were $160.7\pm4.6cm,\;54.1\pm5.7kg\;and\;21.2\pm1.9$, respectively. Average intakes of energy, calcium, iron, zinc, vit $B_2$, and folic acid per day were $1810.2\pm344.9kcal(90.5\%\;of\;RDA),\;621.1\;197.3mg(88.7\%\;of\;RDA),\;15.9\;pm4.9mg\;(99.3\%\;of\;RDA),\;8.1\pm3.4mg(80.5\%\;of\;RDA),\;1.1\pm0.6mg(88.3\%\;of\;RDA)\;and\;234.3\pm78.6{\mu}g(93.7\%\;of\;RDA)$, respectively. Score of the behavioral symptoms, psychologic symptoms, physical symptoms and other symptoms were recorded $1.79\pm0.86,\;2.11\pm1.08,\;2.31\pm1.11\;and\;1.58\pm0.86$, respectively. The relation between PMS and menstrual cramps was significant. A significant difference was observed for menstruation amount in physical symptoms (p<0.05) and other scores (p<0.05). The group who drinks alcohol over 30g per day showed higher scores at total PAP (p<0.05), psychologic symptoms (p<0.05), physical symptoms (p<0.05), and other scores (p<0.05) than those who don't drink alcohol. Calcium in the blood showed a negative correlation with total PAF score (p<0.05), behavioral symptoms (p<0.05), physical symptoms (p<0.05) and other scores (p<0.01). Magnesium in the blood showed a negative correlation with physical symptoms (p<0.05), other score (p<0.05). WBC was negatively associated with psychologic scores (p<0.05). Hb and Hct were negatively associated with other scores (p<0.05). In conclusion, calcium intake showed a level of $88.7\%$ of RDA and this study revealed that there is a correlation between PMS and blood composition in female college students. Therefore, calcium and magnesium supplements can be beneficial to relieve PMS symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.577-587
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• 2013

This study aimed to elicit the variability of appetite and food intake patterns in female college students during different menstrual phases. The craving for certain foods and physiological and psychological symptoms of menstrual phase (pre- and post-menstrual) were investigated by self-administered questionnaire. Three hundred and sixty six students who were 20.9 years old and had $19.8kg/m^2$ of BMI volunteered to participate in this study. Most of the subjects (89.5%) experienced the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) such as irritation, bodily fatigue, nervosity. Symptoms such as tiredness, stomachache, changes in taste and increased appetite were pointed out to be experienced at the onset of the menstrual cycle. The variability of food intake in premenstrual phase, 11.0% of subjects had decreased food intake where as 68.8% had experienced increased intake. The postmenstrual phase, 20.1% had decreased food intake while 45.2% had experienced increased intake due to changes in the appetite. Before starting menstruation, most of the subjects craved for sweets. The group who had experienced abnormal appetite during menstrual phase was significantly high ratio in overweight and obese students (p<0.05). We also observed an association between the PMS score and the variability of eating patterns during the menstrual phase. The students who experienced changing appetite and food intake had significantly high PMS score in the premenstrual phase (p<0.01) and postmenstrual phase (p<0.05). These results suggested a need for future study related to changes in the actual nutrient intake and activity level during the menstrual phase.

• 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.