Coping with premenstrual symptoms among women with irregular menstrual cycles: a qualitative study from Turkey
- 1Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Midwifery, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
- 2School of Health, Department of Midwifery Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract
Aim: This study was conducted to examine how women with irregular menstrual cycles experience premenstrual symptoms, the methods they use to cope with these symptoms, and how this process is reflected in daily life.
Materials and methods: The study was designed using a phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods. The sample consisted of 14 women of reproductive age who reported experiencing premenstrual symptoms and were selected through maximum variation sampling, a purposive sampling method. Data were collected through individual interviews using a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers in line with the literature. The interviews lasted an average of 20–30 min and, with participants’ permission, were recorded and transcribed. The data were evaluated using thematic analysis.
Results: The participants’ mean age was 23.21 ± 2.54 years, and most were single. Five themes were identified through the analysis: multidimensional symptom experience in the premenstrual period, inadequate coping and loss of control, individual and mostly unstructured coping strategies, variable effectiveness of coping methods, and functional impairment in daily life. Participants reported mood changes, irritability, pain, breast tenderness, bloating, skin problems, changes in eating behavior, and social withdrawal. They used methods such as analgesics, hormonal medication, herbal tea, warm showers, heat application, and being alone; however, most of these methods provided only partial and temporary relief.
Conclusion: Irregular menstrual cycles may reduce the predictability of premenstrual symptoms and create loss of control, psychosocial burden, and functional impairment among women. Individualized, evidence-based approaches that include psychosocial support are needed in PMS management.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04748-w.
Related
- Statistical insights into premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder: understanding menstrual health challenges in pre-university students
- Association of coping pathways with anxiety symptoms in children with hematological cancers: a cross-sectional study using regression and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.
- Short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation improves premenstrual symptoms, reaction time, and perceived exertion in female taekwondo athletes: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
- Glycemic patterns from continuous glucose monitoring devices among women with regular and irregular menstrual cycles
- A Kampo medicine, kamishoyosan, ameliorates menstruation-associated symptoms in patients with premenstrual syndrome: An exploratory open-label, randomized controlled trial
BibTeX
@article{ozdemir2026coping,
title = {{Coping with premenstrual symptoms among women with irregular menstrual cycles: a qualitative study from Turkey}},
author = {İclal İlknur Özdemir and Emine Avcu and Seçil Topaloğlu Eti},
journal = {BMC Women's Health},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12905-026-04748-w},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04748-w},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Coping with premenstrual symptoms among women with irregular menstrual cycles: a qualitative study from Turkey
AU - İclal İlknur Özdemir
AU - Emine Avcu
AU - Seçil Topaloğlu Eti
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/11
JO - BMC Women's Health
DO - 10.1186/s12905-026-04748-w
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04748-w
AB - Aim: This study was conducted to examine how women with irregular menstrual cycles experience premenstrual symptoms, the methods they use to cope with these symptoms, and how this process is reflected in daily life. Materials and methods: The study was designed using a phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods. The sample consisted of 14 women of reproductive age who reported experiencing premenstrual symptoms and were selected through maximum variation sampling, a purposive sampling method. Data were collected through individual interviews using a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers in line with the literature. The interviews lasted an average of 20–30 min and, with participants’ permission, were recorded and transcribed. The data were evaluated using thematic analysis. Results: The participants’ mean age was 23.21 ± 2.54 years, and most were single. Five themes were identified through the analysis: multidimensional symptom experience in the premenstrual period, inadequate coping and loss of control, individual and mostly unstructured coping strategies, variable effectiveness of coping methods, and functional impairment in daily life. Participants reported mood changes, irritability, pain, breast tenderness, bloating, skin problems, changes in eating behavior, and social withdrawal. They used methods such as analgesics, hormonal medication, herbal tea, warm showers, heat application, and being alone; however, most of these methods provided only partial and temporary relief. Conclusion: Irregular menstrual cycles may reduce the predictability of premenstrual symptoms and create loss of control, psychosocial burden, and functional impairment among women. Individualized, evidence-based approaches that include psychosocial support are needed in PMS management. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04748-w.
SN - 1472-6874
ER -