Investigation of the Relationship between Premenstrual Syndrome, and Childhood Trauma and Mental State in Adolescents with Premenstrual Syndrome

Impact of childhood trauma history on premenstrual syndrome in women of reproductive age: A cross-sectional study

AIM

Premenstrual syndrome is a women's health problem affecting women of reproductive age. Early traumas may have negative effects on women's health. Childhood traumas are thought to be an important risk factor for the emergence of premenstrual syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between premenstrual syndrome and childhood traumas in women.

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional study. This study was conducted online between September 2023 and January 2024. The sample of the study consisted of 437 women of reproductive age, between the ages of 18-49, who did not have any obstacles to participating in the study. Personal Information Form, Premenstrual Syndrome Scale and Childhood Trauma Scale were used to collect the data. SPSS statistical program was used to analyze the data. [Correction added on 28 December 2024, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, 'SPPS' has been corrected to SPSS.] RESULTS: The prevalence of premenstrual syndrome was 55.6%. Emotional neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual abuse levels were found to be higher in women with premenstrual syndrome (p < 0.05). It was determined that childhood traumas increased the level of premenstrual syndrome in women (ß = 0.266). Childhood trauma explained 6.8% of the total change in premenstrual syndrome level (R2 = 0.068). Emotional neglect (ß = 0.163) and physical abuse (ß = 0.121) increased the level of premenstrual syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Childhood traumas were found to be an important factor affecting the occurrence of premenstrual syndrome and exacerbating its symptoms. Early detection of childhood traumas may prevent long-term problems that may occur in individuals.

Early Life Trauma, Emotion Dysregulation and Hormonal Sensitivity Across Female Reproductive Life Events

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To explore the relationship between early life trauma, hormonal sensitivity, and psychiatric disorders across female-reproductive life events, with a focus on the neurobiological mechanisms.

RECENT FINDINGS

Childhood trauma significantly increases the risk of subsequent mood disorders during periods of intense hormonal fluctuation such as premenstrual, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. Neurobiological changes resulting from early trauma influence emotion regulation, which emerges as a key predisposing, exacerbating, and perpetuating factor to hormonal sensitivity and subsequent psychiatric symptoms. We identified altered stress response and allopregnanolone imbalance, bias in cognitive processing of emotions, neuroimage correlates and sleep disturbances as potential underlying neurobiological mechanisms. This review integrates cumulative findings supporting a theoretical framework linking early life trauma to hormonal sensitivity and mood disorders. We propose that some women might be more susceptible to such hormonal fluctuations because of emotion dysregulation following significant early life trauma.

Mediating effect of suicidal ideation in the association between child abuse and premenstrual syndrome among female adults

INTRODUCTION

Premenstrual symptoms encompass a range of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that cyclically occur before menstruation. Childhood abuse has been associated with subsequent mental health challenges, yet its relationship with exacerbating premenstrual symptoms remains an understudied area. Furthermore, suicidal ideation often emerges from traumatic backgrounds such as child abuse, creating another layer of complexity. Given the rising suicide rates in Lebanon, and the concurrent increase in reported child abuse cases, this research focuses on the role of suicidal ideation as a mediator between child abuse and premenstrual syndrome.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 915 female university students in Lebanon. Participants completed an online questionnaire encompassing demographic details, health lifestyle, the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and Child Abuse Self Report Scale (CASRS-12). The mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS MACRO v3.4 model 4; three pathways derived from this analysis: pathway A from the independent variable to the mediator, pathway B from the mediator to the dependent variable, Pathway C indicating the direct effect from the independent to the dependent variable.

RESULTS

The results of the mediation analysis showed that suicidal ideation mediated the association between all types of child abuse and the presence of PMS. Higher psychological (Beta = 0.21; p < 0.001), neglect (Beta = 0.02; p = 0.017), physical (Beta = 0.19; p < 0.001) and sexual (Beta = 0.20, p < 0.001) child abuse were significantly associated with higher suicidal ideation, which was significantly associated with the presence of PMS (Beta = 0.38, p = 0.001; Beta = 0.57, p < 0.001; Beta = 0.45, p < 0.001; and Beta = 0.50, p < 0.001) respectively. Finally, higher psychological (Beta = 0.17, p < 0.001), physical (Beta = 0.11, p = 0.024), but not sexual (Beta = 0.07, p = 0.198) child abuse was directly and significantly associated with the presence of PMS, whereas higher neglect (Beta = -0.06, p = 0.007) was significantly associated lower odds of having PMS.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the mediating role of suicidal ideation in the complex association between different types of childhood abuse and premenstrual symptoms. The findings emphasize the need for trauma-informed care and tailored interventions to address the diverse impact of these factors. Recognizing the intricate relationships between child abuse, suicidal ideation, and PMS can aid healthcare providers in comprehensively addressing young women's mental and reproductive well-being. Trauma-informed care, tailored interventions and awareness of potential connections between childhood maltreatment are essential in managing these complex challenges.

Perception of benefits-barriers of exercise, physical activity level, and body awareness in women with premenstrual syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The study aims to investigate the relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and physical activity, body awareness, and the benefits/barriers to exercise (a), as well as to compare women with and without PMS in relation to these parameters (b).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were administered The Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Body Awareness Questionnaire, and The Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale.

RESULTS

The age range of the participants included in the study was 19-48, with a mean age of 26.45 ± 7.14. A statistically significant difference was found between the women with and without PMS in terms of PMSS score, exercise benefits subscale score, and exercise barriers subscale score (p < 0.05). The results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between PMSS score and exercise barriers subscale score (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between IPAQ score and body awareness questionnaire, exercise benefits subscale score, total score of exercise benefits and barriers of scale (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between IPAQ score and exercise barriers subscale score (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between body awareness questionnaire score and exercise benefits subscale score, total score of exercise benefits and barriers of scale (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between body awareness questionnaire score and exercise barriers subscale score (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study provide valuable insights into the relationship between PMS, physical activity, body awareness, and exercise benefits/barriers among women. By addressing the barriers and benefits to exercise and enhancing body awareness, healthcare professionals can potentially improve women's with PMS overall well-being and encourage them to adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle.

Is there a relationship between internalized misogyny and premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in young women? A descriptive-relational study

AIM

This study utilized a descriptive and relational design to determine the relationship between young women's experiences of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea with internalized misogyny.

METHODS

A total of 487 individuals were accessed. Data were collected through the "Personal Information Form" prepared by the researchers, the "Functional and Emotional Measure of Dysmenorrhea" the "Premenstrual Syndrome Scale," and the "Internalized Misogyny Scale."

RESULTS

The internalized misogyny scale mean score had significant effects on the functional and emotional measure of dysmenorrhea mean score (p < 0.05). The internalized misogyny scale mean score was found to have a statistically significant effect on the premenstrual syndrome scale (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that young women's internalized misogyny was highly correlated with PMS and dysmenorrhea, and increased internalized misogyny also increased the severity of PMS and dysmenorrhea in young women.

The prevalence of early life trauma in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Early life trauma is a risk factor for many mental disorders; however, there is a lack of research exploring early life trauma in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a debilitating form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). This descriptive study aimed to determine the prevalence of early life trauma in women with PMDD and characterise type and age of trauma experience. Data for 100 women diagnosed with PMDD was extracted from the Monash Alfred Women's Mental Health Clinic Database. Experience of early life trauma was subclassified into four types (Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and/or neglect) and four age groups (0-5, 6-10, 11-14 and/or 15-18 years old). Prevalence of early life trauma was calculated and compared with Australian population estimates. Eighty-three percent of women with PMDD had experienced early life trauma, with emotional abuse being the most common (71%). All types of trauma were more common amongst PMDD women than the general Australian population. Trauma prevalence was similar across the four age groups, ranging from 59 to 66%. Of note, 51.8% women experienced trauma across all age groups. Our results suggest a strong association between early life trauma and PMDD. Emotional abuse and/or chronic trauma across childhood may be most strongly associated with PMDD.