Abstract
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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brooks, J., Ruble, D., and Clark, A. (1977). College women's attitudes and expectations concerning menstrual-related changes.Psychosom. Med. 39: 288.
Cox, D. J., and Santirocco, L. (1982). Psychological and behavioral factors in dysmenorrhea. In Dawood, M. Y. (ed.),Dysmenorrhea, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.
Novak, E. R., Jones, G. S., and Jones, H. W. (1975).Novak's Textbook of Gynecology, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.
Parlee, M. D. (1974). Stereotypic beliefs about menstruation: A methodological note on the MOOS menstrual distress questionnaire and some new data.Psychosom. Med. 36: 229.
Pennebaker, J. W., Cox, D. J., Gonder-Frederick, L., Wunsch, M. G., Evans, W. S., and Pohl, S. (1981). Physical symptoms related to blood glucose in insulin dependent diabetics.Psychosom. Med. 43: 489–500.
Wilcoxon, L. A., Schrader, S. L., and Sherif, C. W. (1976). Daily self-reports on activities, life events, moods, and somatic changes during the menstrual cycle.Psychosom. Med. 38: 399.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cox, D.J. Menstrual symptoms in college students: A controlled study. J Behav Med 6, 335–338 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01315118
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01315118