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The relationship between menstruation and psychiatric admissions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Jane O'Dwyer ,
Trevor Friedman  and
Elizabeth Clifford
Jane O'Dwyer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU, England
Trevor Friedman
Affiliation:
Mental Illness Unit, General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, England
Elizabeth Clifford
Affiliation:
Mental Illness Unit, General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, England
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Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the previously reported relationship between menstruation and emergency psychiatric admissions still pertains.

Method: All females admitted on an emergency basis to a general psychiatric unit of a DGH, were interviewed and data regarding menstrual function was collected on those fitting the inclusion criteria who consented to inclusion in the study.

Results: Ninety three people were included in the study, of whom significantly more were admitted in the late luteal and menstrual phases of the cycle. Symptoms suggestive of premenstrual syndrome were significantly commoner in those admitted in the late luteal and menstrual phases.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that the premenstrual syndrome is either a risk factor for psychiatric admission or is important in determining the time of admission. Adequate detection and treatment of premenstrual syndrome, could in theory, reduce some psychiatric admissions. The methodology and limitations of the study are discussed.

Keywords

AdmissionsMenstruationPremenstrual syndrome
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , June 1997 , pp. 46 - 48
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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