Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2008 Nov;51(11):1322-1329.

Premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in Korean adolescent girls

• Kim HO
• Lim SW
• Woo HY
• Kim KH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To analyze menstrual problems, as well as various factors that affect the PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and dysmenorrhea on Korean female teenagers.
METHODS
We analyzed menstrual problems, PMS, and dysmenorrhea based on the survey answered by 400 high school girls (17~18 years old) from randomly chosen schools in Seoul. Final respondents to a questionnaire were 327 students.
RESULTS
The prevalence of PMS was reported by 63.0 % (206 people), and dysmenorrhea by 78.3 % (256 people). PMS was strongly linked to dysmenorrhea (P=0.000). The severity of PMS was correlated with normality of menstrual duration (P=0.034) and familial history (P=0.012). In the case of dysmenorrhea, the presence of dysmenorrhea was significantly high among the group with two years after menarche (P=0.003). Also the severity was positively correlated with normality of menstrual duration (P=0.017) and familial history (P=0.000). PMS and dysmenorrhea have no correlation with body mass index. Although PMS had a correlation with depression (P=0.020), it was not related to dysmenorrhea.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a correlation between PMS and dysmenorrhea. For PMS, it had a correlation with menstrual duration, familial history and depression. Dysmenorrhea was highly frequent among the group with two years after menarche. Though it was correlated with normal menstrual duration and familial history, it did not have any correlation with depression.

Keyword

Premenstrual syndrome; Dysmenorrhea; Menstrual problems in adolescent girls

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Body Mass Index
Surveys and Questionnaires
Depression
Dysmenorrhea
Female
Humans
Menarche
Premenstrual Syndrome
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaire