Interset relationships between the eight state questionnaire and the menstrual distress questionnaire

A preliminary study of hormone replacement therapy and psychological mood states in perimenopausal women

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for perimenopausal women has been suggested to minimize the physical symptoms of menopause and improve mood and psychological functioning; however, the therapy remains controversial. In this study the effects of such therapy (comprising tablets, patches, and implants) on mood states was investigated within a sample of 70 perimenopausal women who were attending a family planning clinic within the Brisbane metropolitan area. On a battery of standardized questionnaires, including the General Health Questionnaire, the Profile of Mood States, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, those 35 women who were using hormone replacement therapy prescribed by the clinic physician reported significantly lower scores on anxiety, insomnia, and somatic symptoms than did a comparable group of 35 untreated perimenopausal women. These findings provide some tentative support for the beneficial effects of the therapy on physical symptoms and psychological mood states related to the onset of menopause. Given increased life expectancy, there is a growing need for research into issues of aging.

Aerobic exercise, mood states and menstrual cycle symptoms

This study examined the effects of regular, moderate exercise on mood states and menstrual cycle symptoms. A group of female regular exercisers (N = 97), and a second group of female nonexercisers (N = 159), completed the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) and the Differential Emotions Scale (DES-IV) premenstrually, menstrually and intermenstrually. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVAs) revealed significant effects for exercise on negative mood states and physical symptoms, and significant effects on all measures across menstrual cycle phase. The regular exercisers obtained significantly lower scores on impaired concentration, negative affect, behaviour change and pain. No differences were found between groups on positive affect and other physical symptoms.