Premenstrual syndrome in university students: an investigation in terms of somatization and some variables

Objective: This research was conducted to investigate the premenstrual syndrome symptoms in university students, the factors affecting premenstrual syndrome and the relation between premenstrual syndrome and somatization. Methods: The research was performed on 890 students who study at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University and accepted to take part in the research. Data were collected by a Descriptive Information Form developed by the researchers, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PSS) and the Somatization Scale. In the analysis of the data Student t test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis was used. Results: Premenstrual syndrome was detected in 57.2% of the students. Somatization score significantly higher in students with premenstrual syndrome. There were significant relations between the subscale scores of PSS (pain, sleep changes, fatigue, depressive thoughts, anxiety, depressed mood, irritability, and bloating and appetite changes) and somatization score of the students. PSS total mean scores were significantly higher in students who smoke and drink alcohol, who have long menstruation process and menstrual cycles, who have pain in menstruation process, who affect daily life, school attendance and school performance because of menstrual problems, who have a negative perception about menstruation, who have problems related to menstruation in other women in their families and who have admit to doctor because of menstrual problems. Conclusion: Our study shows that PMS is common among university students. Somatization tendency of students with premenstrual syndrome was higher than non-premenstrual syndrome students. Premenstrual syndrome should be addressed through a holistic approach. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2012;13:32-38)