Understanding Help-Seeking Behavior in Premenstrual Symptoms
Many individuals with premenstrual symptoms do not seek professional help despite significant daily life impacts. Recent research sheds light on the factors influencing help-seeking behavior and highlights the need for improved healthcare support and education.
Premenstrual symptoms are a common experience affecting millions, yet many individuals do not seek professional medical help. Recent research from Cambridge highlights the reasons behind this gap, emphasizing how social and work-related impairments, personal perceptions of symptom severity, and previous healthcare experiences influence whether someone decides to pursue treatment. The study, published in PLOS Mental Health, surveyed 592 adults in the UK who experienced premenstrual symptoms. It found that nearly 43% had never consulted a healthcare professional, despite severe symptoms disrupting their daily lives.
The study identified key factors motivating help-seeking: significant impact on social life or work, belief in the severity of symptoms, and prior negative healthcare encounters. Interestingly, while supportive previous experiences encourage further help-seeking, poor experiences do not necessarily deter individuals, indicating the importance of improving healthcare quality and patient support.
Applying these findings on a national scale, it is estimated that up to 13 million women and girls in England and Wales manage premenstrual symptoms without professional aid. This underserved population faces risks of prolonged distress and missed opportunities for effective treatment, especially for high-risk symptoms like suicidality.
The authors advocate for better public education, clearer clinical guidelines, and the use of digital tools like symptom tracking and psychoeducation to empower individuals. These strategies could facilitate early recognition of severe symptoms and improve healthcare engagement. As Erin Funnell states, many suffer in silence not due to lack of need, but because of dismissal or lack of information. Improving healthcare training and awareness campaigns are essential steps forward.
The study’s insights aim to assist primary care providers in identifying those at risk and designing targeted interventions. It also underscores the need for ongoing research into premenstrual mental health, which remains under-recognized. Addressing these issues promises to enhance care and outcomes for those affected.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-behaviors-premenstrual-symptoms.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Music as a Therapeutic Tool for Enhancing Mental Health and Reducing Stigma
Guided musical experiences can encourage help-seeking and reduce self-stigma related to mental health, offering a new approach to mental wellbeing support. Learn how music therapy is making a difference.
Age-Related Brain Changes Reduce Social Behaviors, New Study Finds
New research reveals how aging impacts brain connectivity, leading to decreased social engagement and increased risk of isolation in older adults. Understanding these changes can aid in developing strategies to promote social well-being among seniors.
New Theory Suggests Psychedelics Promote Right-Brain Dominance and Alter Brain Connectivity
A new theory suggests that psychedelics may induce a dominance of the right brain hemisphere, leading to enhanced empathy, insight, and holistic perception. Researchers explore how these substances alter brain connectivity and promote mental flexibility.