Prevalence of depressive symptoms among Turkish women experiencing premenstrual symptoms and correlated factors

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of depressive symptoms among Turkish women experiencing premenstrual symptoms and correlated factors.

Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study. The data were collected with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Premenstruel Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and questionnaire form. A total of 121 married and literate women who agreed to participate were included in the study.

Results: The proportions depressive symptoms among women with severe premenstrual symptoms and without severe premenstrual symptoms were 51% and 13.5% respectively. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between the BDI score; the total PMSS score (r = 0.403) and its subscales scores including depressive feelings (r = 0.439); anxiety (r = 0.412); fatigue (r = 0.280); irritability (r = 0.253); depressive thoughts (r = 0.456); pain (r = 0.204); and the changes in appetite (r = 0.418). A negative correlation was found in the swelling subscale score of PMSS (r = -0.079), but there was no correlation with the changes in the sleeping habits subscale score (r = 0.024). There was correlation between BDI scores and occupation, education, perception of outcome, domicile, and a history of psychiatric disorders of the women. There was correlation between PMSS scores a history of psychiatric disorders and complaint of dysmenorrhea in the women.

Conclusions: In conclusion, women who experienced premenstrual syndrome had higher depressive symptoms than women without premenstrual syndrome. Women with premenstrual syndrom should be assessed for depression by health professionals.

Keywords: Premenstrual syndrome, Depressive symptom, Women, Correlated factors