Blog of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research
Not only does PMS not turn women into Vikings, heavyweight boxers, or Mexican wrestlers (see yesterday’s post about ads for Kitadol), it does not affect every woman who menstruates. Research using daily surveys to examine patterns of depression and anxiety symptoms in young women found that some women experience symptoms mid-cycle, others pre-menstrually, and still others do not experience mood changes in association with their menstrual cycle.
It’s always fascinating to look at perceptions of menstruation in societies other than one’s own, but I’d really like to see the questionnaire used in this study of attitudes toward menstruation among young Pakistani women.
Results: Out of 500 participants, 438 (87.6%) regarded menstruation as a natural process; whereas, 62 (12.4%) perceived it as a disease and curse from God. Out of 500, 415 (83%) of the participants responded that the menstruation process is good for health; however, 85 (17%) felt this process not healthy for themselves.
Do you suppose that the questions were multiple choice? Because ‘natural process’, ‘disease’, and ‘curse from God’ aren’t mutually exclusive.
[via Leslie Botha]
