Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influences of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on daily psychological states and salivary cortisol level. First, 42 women recorded their PMS symptoms and basal body temperatures every day for approximately two menstrual cycles. Based on these prospective records of PMS symptoms, participants were divided into two groups: Normal group (n=22) and PMS group (n=17). There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, height, weight, age at menarche, menstrual cycle length, menstrual period, depression score, and stressor score. Next, 14 women (7 Normal group, 7 PMS group) were selected and they were measured twice, once during the premenstrual phase and once during the postmenstrual phase of their cycles. Each day, they took saliva samples and recorded their psychological states six times (from waking to going to bed) per day at their homes. Results showed that the fear score in PMS group was high in the premenstrual phase, whereas salivary cortisol level in PMS group was low in the same phase compared to the Normal group. These results suggested the possibility of dysregulation of the stress system in women with PMS.
