P-176: Characteristics of Premenstrual Symptoms in Medical Science Students in Tehran

Background: The nature of the premenstrual condition is based upon premenstrual symptoms, which women experience them and only in those cases where symptoms have negative influence on the physical, psychological or social functioning; we speak of a premenstrual syndrome, which reduce quality of life. The objective of this study is to assess frequency and severity of PMS in Medical Science University Students In Tehran. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 571 unmarried volunteer medical students, with age 17-34 years, who accommodated in dorms of one of Medical Sciences University in Tehran, were involved after filling in informed consent. Tools of study had three main parts of socio- demographic, 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), and visual Analog Scale (VAS) for assessing severity of premenstrual symptoms. All ethical points were considered and approved by Research Ethics Committee Of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Results: Average of age was (21.63 ± 2.63) years. 89.2% had experience of PMS. Most prevalent symptoms were, decreased interest in usual activities (85.4%), affective liability (83.8%), irritability (81.4%), lack of energy (76.3%), depressed mood or dysphoria (71.7%), concentration difficulties (68.4%), physical symptoms i.e. breast tenderness, bloating (62.3%), anxiety or tension (60.7%), marked change in appetite, overeating, or food cravings (57.5%), feeling overwhelmed (53.1%), hypersomnia (58.6%) or insomnia (39.9%). Conclusion: Due to high rate of PMS in Medical Science students, who lives in dorms, it is necessary to do a study for finding its associated factors, and also finding safe method for prevention and solving this problem as well.