A Cross-Sectional Study on Clinical Proile and Factors Associated with Premenstrual Syndrome among Adolescent Girls in Goa

Abstract

Introduction: : Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of physical and psychological symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Objective: To determine the proportion of adolescent girls suffering Premenstrual Syndrome using ACOG criteria, to describe the clinical presentations of PMS and to identify the factors associated with PMS among them. Method: A cross-sectional study included adolescent girls in XI and XII standards from selected Higher Secondary Schools in Goa. A sample size of 210 was calculated with a 95% confidence interval, p=0.73, and an absolute error of 0.06. A pre-tested questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, menstrual history, PMS symptoms, and lifestyle factors was distributed before a health talk to girls who had attained menarche, experienced at least three menstrual cycles, and were willing to participate. BMI was calculated and classified per Asian Pacific guidelines. Regular menstruation was defined as cycles averaging 28 ± 7 days and 3–5 days of bleeding. PMS was assessed using ACOG criteria. Data were analyzed using Jamovi Software version 2.3.28, employing descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test to study associations between variables and PMS. Results: In a cross-sectional study among 228 adolescent girls, more than half (59.2%) of the girls reported to have PMS. The mean BMI of the participants was 20.1 ± 4.31 kg/m . Irritability was reported to be the most frequent symptom in as high as 41.7% girls.Nearly two-thirds of the adolescent girls (64%) reported to have heavy low, while the majority of the girls (91.7%) suffered from dysmenorrhea. PMS was found to be associated with age at menarche, amount of blood low during menstruation and presence of dysmenorrhea (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that 59.2% of adolescent girls reported to have PMS. Schools should foster an environment where students feel comfortable discussing PMS and other women's health issues.

Keywords

• adolescent girls
• dysmenorrhea
• menstrual cycle
• premenstrual syndrome