Abstract
An intervention program designed to alleviate the effects of perimenstrual symptoms has been developed and its effectiveness assessed. The subjects in the present study included 12 women with severe perimenstrual syndrome and 13 women with mild perimenstrual symptoms. Daily measures included prospective assessment of the perception of perimenstrual symptoms and basal body temperature. Before, during and three months after the intervention program, the perimenstrual symptoms, self-care behavior, self-efficacy, mental image of menstruation, stress reaction, personal resources, and self-esteem were assessed. The intervention program was effective in increasing self-care behavior and improving the subjects' mental image of menstruation. Furthermore, in women with perimenstrual syndrome, perimenstrual symptoms decreased and self-esteem and personal resources improved. In women with mild perimenstrual symptoms, stress reactions decreased and self-esteem improved. These results demonstrated that the intervention program could decrease perimenstrual symptoms in women with perimenstrual syndrome. In future studies, it will be necessary to investigate the effects of continuous support based on the medical interventions and cognitive therapy.
