Afsane Bahrami1, Hamidreza Sadeghnia2, Amir Avan3, Seyed Jamal Mirmousavi4, Alireza Moslem5, Saeed Eslami6, Masoud Heshmati7, Hamidreza Bahrami-Taghanaki8, Gordon A Ferns9, Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan10. 1. Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 2. Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 3. Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 4. Traditional Medicine Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran. 5. Department of Anestheiology,Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran. 6. Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 7. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. 8. Complementary and Chinese Medicine, Persian and Complementary Medicine Faculty, Mashhad University of Medical sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: BahramiHR@mums.ac.ir. 9. Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9PH, UK. 10. Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: ghayourm@mums.ac.ir.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle may affect emotional regulation. We aimed to investigate the association between dysmenorrhea (the severe abdominal pain and cramps associated with menstruation) and cognitive abilities, emotional function and sleep patterns in adolescent girls. Moreover, we evaluated the frequency of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in our population and then divided them into 4 groups: subjects with only PMS; subjects with only dysmenorrhea; individuals with both PMS and dysmenorrhea and normal subjects. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross sectional study, 897 adolescent girls who had entered menarche were recruited. Of these, 35.9% had only dysmenorrhea, 14.9% had only PMS, 32.7% had both PMS and dysmenorrhea while 16.5% had no PMS and/or dysmenorrhea (Normal). We assessed the tests for cognitive, emotional function and sleep patterns were compared for these groups. RESULTS: Individuals in the dysmenorrhea group had significantly higher depression, aggression, insomnia, daytime sleepiness and sleep apnea scores compared to normal controls and the PMS group, but did not have significantly different cognitive ability (P value <0.05). These differences were strongly correlated to pain intensity (P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences between those with only PMS and control subjects with regard to cognitive ability, emotional function and sleep pattern tests. CONCLUSIONS: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescents and appears to be associated with depressive mood, a tendency to aggressive behavior and sleep disorders among adolescent girls.
OBJECTIVE: Hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle may affect emotional regulation. We aimed to investigate the association between dysmenorrhea (the severe abdominal pain and cramps associated with menstruation) and cognitive abilities, emotional function and sleep patterns in adolescent girls. Moreover, we evaluated the frequency of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in our population and then divided them into 4 groups: subjects with only PMS; subjects with only dysmenorrhea; individuals with both PMS and dysmenorrhea and normal subjects. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross sectional study, 897 adolescent girls who had entered menarche were recruited. Of these, 35.9% had only dysmenorrhea, 14.9% had only PMS, 32.7% had both PMS and dysmenorrhea while 16.5% had no PMS and/or dysmenorrhea (Normal). We assessed the tests for cognitive, emotional function and sleep patterns were compared for these groups. RESULTS: Individuals in the dysmenorrhea group had significantly higher depression, aggression, insomnia, daytime sleepiness and sleep apnea scores compared to normal controls and the PMS group, but did not have significantly different cognitive ability (P value <0.05). These differences were strongly correlated to pain intensity (P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences between those with only PMS and control subjects with regard to cognitive ability, emotional function and sleep pattern tests. CONCLUSIONS:Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescents and appears to be associated with depressive mood, a tendency to aggressive behavior and sleep disorders among adolescent girls.