Perspectives of Dutch women on premenstrual disorder. A qualitative study exploring women's experiences.

Autor: Labots-Vogelesang MS; Gender and Women's Health Unit, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands., Kooiman-Andringa R; Gender and Women's Health Unit, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands., Teunissen TAM; Gender and Women's Health Unit, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands., Lagro-Janssen ALM; Gender and Women's Health Unit, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: The European journal of general practice [Eur J Gen Pract] 2023 Dec; Vol. 29 (1), pp. 2166033.
DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2023.2166033
Abstrakt: Background: Women presenting with Premenstrual Disorder (PMD) to general practitioners (GPs) experience problems with their biopsychosocial functioning. PMD is a disorder consisting of physical and/or mood-based symptoms cyclically occurring with a significant impairment of daily life. Little is known about the symptoms and coping strategies of women with PMD and their experiences with their GPs.
Objectives: This present study aimed to improve understanding of the perspectives of women with PMD, their coping strategies and their expectations of the GP.
Design: Qualitative study with semi-structured interviews.
Setting: In 2017, Dutch women with symptoms of premenstrual disorder were recruited through local newspapers in the town of Nijmegen and the North-Holland region and via social media. After checking the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we interviewed 20 women (between 27 and 49 years of age). The interviews took place at a location of the interviewees' preference.
Results: PMD symptoms can strongly influence the quality of women's lives. Three themes emerged from our analysis: feelings of having two separate female identities, PMD as a life-controlling condition and different coping strategies. Most women used an active coping strategy. Women with PMD need recognition from their GPs and knowledge of proper treatment.
Conclusion: PMD symptoms can have a high impact on daily life. Women with PMD expressed their need for acknowledgement and a personalised approach from their GP. Greater awareness and knowledge among GPs may be helpful in this.
Databáze: MEDLINE