Association of Premenstrual Syndrome with Quality of Life in Young Korean Women

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Menstruation is often regarded as a privilege for women allowing reproductive activity. However, abrupt hormonal fluctuations in menstrual cycle may cause distressing physical and psychological symptoms such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS is known to have a great impact on daily life activities and social functions, and might result in significantly decreased quality of life (QOL). In this study, we aimed to evaluate a relation between PMS and QOL in young adult Korean women. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a total of 514 women who were aged 16~35 years and who were employed in an industrial complex located in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. PMS was assessed using diagnostic criteria recommended by the American Psychiatric Association. QOL was assessed using Korean health related Quality of Life Scale. The association between PMS and QOL was examined in 440 women using the two-sample t-test after excluding 74 women who were missing for variables essential for the assessment of PMS and QOL. RESULTS: The prevalence of PMS was 7.3% (32 out of 440 women). Women with PMS had the worse QOL score in almost all domains of QOL except for spiritual health (physical function, psychological health, social function, pain, vitality, role limitation, health status perception, and health status change). CONCLUSION: There was a significant relation between PMS and QOL. The finding of significantly lower QOL in women with PMS suggests that PMS should be evaluated and treated actively in primary care.