Phenomenology of Perimenstrual Psychiatric Symptoms

The aim of current study was to observe, assess and screen the phenomenology of perimenstrual symptoms, & identify if any other form of psychiatric syndrome. Non experimental quantitative descriptive Research design was used to conduct the study. The study population consisted of 50 consecutive patients of Perimenstrual syndrome attending psychiatry OPD at PMCH, Patna during 2005–2008. Purposive sampling was used to collect the sample. International classification of diseases (ICD-10) and Diagnostic and Statistical manual of mental disorders-IV (DSM-IV), Structured Perimenstrual symptoms and syndrome check list diary, Perimenstrual symptoms severity rating scale & Temporal-Profile Performa of perimenstrual symptoms tools were used to collect the data. The findings analyzed by descriptive statistics. Data analysis showed that the mean age of patients was 30.7 years. The most distressing symptom was irritability (66%) in patients included in study followed by bloating in 18% and breast pain in 16% of cases. Most patients were symptomatic for 6–10 days in each menstrual cycle during premenstrual phase, and symptoms were relieved after beginning of menstrual flow.