Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Premenstrual Syndrome

Abstract

Aim: It is known that adverse experiences in childhood are associated with various mental and physical illnesses. In some studies, it is stated that it also affects women’s reproductive health. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between childhood adverse experiences and the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome.Material and Method: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional and relationship seeker at a public university on young girls aged between 18 and 25 years. The sample size was calculated to be at least 623 students with 0.05 error level, 80% representation power and 99% confidence interval, and the study was conducted with 754 participants. To collect data; “Personal Introduction Form”, “Childhood Adverse Experiences Scale (ACES)” and “Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSÖ)” were used. In statistical evaluation; arithmetic mean, percentage distribution, standard deviation, linear regression analysis were used. Results: 60.5% of the students had at least one ACE, the average age was 20.68±1.98, 52% studied at the faculty of health sciences, 40.3% studied in the first year, 73.2% had PMS, the average age of menarche was found to be 14.84±28.82. In addition, the mean score of ACES is 1.50±1.75, and the average of PMSÖ is 132.36±36.22. As a result of the linear regression analysis, it has been determined that ACES affects the total and all sub-dimensions of PMSÖ.Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be said that adverse childhood experiences affect PMS symptoms and PMS symptoms increase as the number of ACES increases.