Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in 15–49 age women in the province of Erzurum.
Method: The study included 589 women between 15 years and 49 years old from the region of 32 family practitioners selected randomly among 113 family physicians in the provincial center. Prevalence of PMS was determined by Premenstrual Assessment Form (PAF). The form filled with face to face interview by an experienced psychiatric resident. In the analysis of the data, sample is divided into three clusters with K-means cluster analysis according to the severity of symptoms. Cluster analysis of the sample according to the PAF with severe symptoms, the third group was considered to be at risk group that meet the criteria for PMS.
Results: In this study, 14.1 % (n=83) of the women had severe symptoms and meet criteria for PMS-risk groups were adopted, 26.7 % were determined with only mild symptoms according to cluster analysis of PAF. The prevalence of PMS was higher in single and illiterate women, in women who had history of a mental disorder and who were undergoing treatment for a mental disorder. The most prevalent symptoms were having decreased energy or tend to fatigue easily (77.8 %), having tired legs (75.7 %), tend to have backaches, joint and muscle pain or stiffness (68.4 %), feeling jittery or restless (68.4 %), feeling anxious or more anxious (66.9 %), having intermittent pain or cramps in the abdomen (66.0 %).
Conclusion: PMS symptoms are common among women 15–49 years of age. Women should be given training on the symptoms of PMS, awareness should be increased and should be given advice on ways to deal with.