A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health have found that the prevalence and severity of Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD) and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) share similar risk factors, and some symptoms which can be successfully self-managed.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and primary dysmenorrhea (PD) are more prevalent, causing cramps and other uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms, which are bothersome. Numerous risk factors have been identified in earlier studies looking at PD and PMS symptoms, but no definitive results have been reached.

The current investigation found that common symptoms were similar and observed both before and during menstruation. They gathered results from observational studies of healthy women that targeted PD and PMS. A more thorough analysis reduced the list of 1,479 studies to just 77 studies that met the extracting criteria. These were used to gather information on lifestyle factors, menstrual features, and physical traits.

According to experts, the results show that smoking was linked to PMS prevalence, whereas BMI, stress, sleep quality, and time in bed was linked to PD prevalence. The good news is that women have a lot of control over managing these risk factors.

To the best of the researchers′ knowledge, this is the first study to thoroughly investigate how these factors affect the prevalence and severity of PD and PMS. Intervention and management specific to individual needs and addressing the critical risk factors may help relieve the symptoms and improve women′s quality of life.

(Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230120/Better-lifestyle-habits-may-reduce-primary-dysmenorrhea-and-premenstrual-syndrome-in-women.aspx)