Menstrual symptoms in college students: a controlled study.

Thirty-five male and thirty-five female subjects completed daily a checklist consisting of 15 symptoms commonly associated with menstrual distress. Premenstrual, menstrual, and midcycle days' ratings were compared within and across groups. Males and females did not differ in symptom ratings during the premenstrual and midcycle periods. Females reported experiencing more sharp cramps, dull cramps, stomach pain, and bloating during the menstrual period. Females reported these symptoms to be only modestly distressing.