Psychophysical characteristics of the premenstrual period

Staničić, Ana. (2007). Psychophysical characteristics of the premenstrual period. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Jokić-Begić, Nataša].

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Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate whether there are any psychophysical characteristics of the premenstrual period in regard to the period following menstruation. Psychophysical characteristics are defined as assessments of the physical state (fatigue, breast tenderness, bloating and lack of sleep), emotional sense (happiness, anger, sadness, irritability, anxiety and distraction) and general assessments of physical attractiveness and satisfaction with oneself. Diary of symptoms of PMS was designed for this study as well as a questionnaire containing socio-demographic questions and a menstrual cycle calendar. The study entailed keeping a diary of symptoms a week before menstruation and four days one week after the onset of menstruation, during two menstrual cycles. In the morning, afternoon and the evening participants noted in their diaries assessments of their psychophysical state on a scale of 1-5 (1-I don't feel like that at all, 5-I feel like that, markedly). The study was conducted on a convenient sample of 75 women, however 24 women were excluded from further analyses due to incorrectly kept or missing diaries; therefore data from 51 women was analyzed. The difference in assessment of physical attractiveness, happiness and satisfaction with oneself, when measured before and after menstruation, is statistically significant with lower intensities in the days preceding menstruation. Statistically significant are the differences in assessed intensities of breast tenderness, bloating, sadness, anxiety, irritability and distraction, all reaching higher intensities in the days before menstruation. Differences in assessed intensities of fatigue, lack of sleep and anger are not statistically significant. Results indicate that the premenstrual period, in regard to the period after menstruation, is characterized by higher intensities of negative emotions and certain physical states, and lower intensities of feelings of physical attractiveness and satisfaction with oneself.

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