Menstrual cycle symptoms: comparison of a non-clinical sample with a patient group

This study compared findings of a community group of women ( n=32), who claimed they did not require help for menstrual cycle complaints, with a patient group ( n=75) with confirmed prementrual syndrome (PMS). Subjects completed a battery of psychological tests to identify personality characteristics, levels of depression, anxiety, stress and marital adjustment. Menstrual cycle symptoms were assessed with the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ, Moos, 1985) during follicular (day 6–8) and premenstrual phases (day 26–28) of two adjusted cycles and with daily symptom ratings. Daily 24-h urines were collected for oestradiol and pregnanediol levels for one cycle. After prospective assessment, the non-clinical sample were differentiated into those with pronounced cyclical symptom changes (Hi-volunteers, n=13) and others with minimal cyclical changes (Lo-volunteers, n=19). The total non-clinical sample could be distinguished from the patient group on depression, stress, and self-esteem scores. The non-clinical subgroup with pronounced cyclical symptoms is proposed as an ‘at-risk’ group for future treatment seeking.