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Introduction: A variety of maladies, sometimes disabling, beset many ovulatory women in a recurrent manner during the luteal phase of each ovarian cycle. These problems can deteriorate interpersonal relationships and/or interfere with normal activities of life. Present research was performed to evaluate effects of hypericum perforatum for treatment of physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group compassion study performed over two menstrual cycles on student of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Tehran University. Volunteers underwent a preliminary screening interview, completed Beck questionnaire as a screening test for depression and attended a medical screening visit before being diagnosed as having premenstrual syndrome. Participants administrated hypericum or placebo, 30 drops BD, for two complete cycles. Premenstrual symptoms were evaluated by a daily symptom report form. Data analysis performed by Chi square, Fisher exact, Wilcoxon and t tests.

Results: Premenstrual daily hypericum caused a significant improvement in mean daily score of severity of premenstrual problems compared to placebo (p<0.05). Premenstrual administration of hypericum, 30 drop BD, showed significant advantage over placebo for physical disorders (%49, p=000).

Conclusion: Daily premenstrual administration of hypericum perforatum treats physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. It seems that hypericum perforatum can improve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

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Background & Aim: Several factors have been reported to be influential in development of the premenstrual syndrome. There are no studies available on relationship between premenstrual syndrome with body mass index in Iran. This study aimed to determine this relationship among university students.

Methods & Materials: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a random sample of 500 students living in the dorms of Arak University of Medical Sciences. The participants had not stress, anxiety and severe depression on the basis of the DASS21. Data were gathered using Social Status Questionnaire, including demographic, menstrual status, reproductive and eating habits and body mass index measurement items. The participants completed the abbreviated form of premenstrual syndrome evaluation within seven days of bleeding up to two days after onset of bleeding for one cycle. Using logistic regression analysis, the association was assessed by adjusting for confounding variables.

Results: A majority of the students had normal BMI (<25) (90.8%). The results showed that the risk of premenstrual syndrome in the participants with high BMI was 2.43 times more than the participants with normal BMI (OR=2.43 CI=8.33-1.66).

Conclusion: High BMI increased the risk of premenstrual syndrome. Interventions to decrease the BMI should be designed and implemented in overweight and obese patients with premenstrual syndrome.

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  Background & Aim: The aim of present study was to assess psychometric properties of premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST) to provide a fast and appropriate screening tool for women who suffer from severe PMS/PMDD and their clinicians .

  Methods & Materials: It was a cross-sectional study. The study included 404 female students studying at Semnan University who were randomly selected using stratified method. In order to assess psychometric properties, we used the exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity (evaluated by symptom checklist-90-Revised), criterion-related validity (calculated by comparing psychiatrist diagnosis and PSST). Sensitivity and specificity coefficients of optimal cutoff points were calculated by the ROC Curve and construct validity was evaluated by the PSST ability to separate PMS and PMDD groups from healthy group. Reliability was evaluated using the cronbach’s alpha and test-retest method . 

  Results: The p rinciple component analysis revealed that the PSST consists of four factors: interest reduction, interference in functions, physical and neurotic symptoms, and eating and sleep patterns. As an evidence of convergent validity, PSST scores showed significant correlations with the SCL-90-R’s dimensions. Agreement coefficient between psychiatrists and the PSST diagnosis was 0.314 for the PMS and 0.80 for the PMDD. This tool separated the PMS and PMDD groups from healthy group well. Optimal Cutoff point for separating females suffering from PMDD was 2.22. The sensitivity and specificity coefficients were 0.9 and 0.77, respectively. The cronbach’s alpha was 0.91 and the test-retest reliability was 0.56 for the total tool .

  Conclusion: The translated version of the premenstrual symptoms screening tool can be used as a valid tool for Iranian females. This instrument can be useful for rapid screening and identifying women who suffer from severe PMS/PMDD, especially in clinical settings .

  

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  Background & Aim: Premenopausal syndrome affects daily activities of many women. This study aimed to compare the effects of Vitexagnus and Flaxseed on premenstrual symptoms in women referred to health centers of Tabriz from October 2013 to September 2014 .

  Methods & Materials: This randomized controlled trial was conducted among 159 women suffered from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The PMS was measured using the premenstrual assessment form (PAF) . The participants were allocated into three groups (n=53 per group) using block randomization. The group I received 25 grams/d Flaxseed powder and placebo of the Vitexagnus group II received 3.2-4.8 mg/d Vitexagnus tablets and placebo of the Flaxseed and the control group received both placeboes. The PAF was completed at baseline and 1 and 2 month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the general linear model . 

  Results: The PMS improved significantly in both intervention groups during the first and the second month after the intervention. In the Vitexagnus and Flaxseed groups, the mean total PMS score were significantly lower than that in the control group at the first months after the intervention (adjusted mean difference: -3.3 (95% CI: -4.0 to -2.1) -4.3 (-5.5 to -3.0), respectively). In the second month after the intervention, the mean total PMS score was -5.8 (-7.0 to -4.7) in the Vitexagnus group and -6.6 (-8.1 to -5.7) in the Flaxseed group. There was no significant difference between the Vitexagnus and Flaxseed groups in terms of the PMS score .

  Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Flaxseed and Vitexagnus are effective in improving PMS .

  

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Background & Aim: The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of physical and psychological symptoms that occurs periodically and affects women’s social and individual functionings. This study aimed to investigate the effect of stress management group counseling on the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Methods & Materials: This semi-experimental study (IRCT2016052127994N1) was conducted on 44 students with PMS (22 in the intervention group and 22 in the control group) from Zanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form and premenstrual symptoms screening test (PSST). Descriptive and inferential statistics including independent t-test, Chi-square, ANCOVA and repeated measurement test were used for data analysis via the SPSS software version 21.
Results: Before treatment, the mean scores of mood-behavioral symptoms, physical symptoms and the impact of symptoms on life had not any significant differences between the two groups. At the first month after treatment, mood-behavioral symptoms (P<0.001) and the impact of symptoms on life (P=0.007) were different between the two groups. Two months after the intervention, the mean scores of mood-behavioral symptoms in the intervention group (53.2±4.84) were significantly different from those in the control group (70.2±4.81). There was a significant difference in the mean score of physical symptoms between the intervention group (36.7±5.87) and control group (64.9±7.84). Also, the mean score of the impact of symptoms on life had a significant difference between the intervention group (36±4.73) and control group (58.3±2.73) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Stress management group counseling is effective in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and it can be used as a non-pharmacological method with no side effects.