An exploratory pilot of factors associated with premenstrual syndrome in minority women

PurposeThis investigation explored factors associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in minority women, and compared the response of minority and non-minority women supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (FA) in the form of fish oil.MethodsThis descriptive, correlational, retrospective pilot was a secondary data analysis. Participants consuming 2 g of fish oil/d (n = 15) in the larger study were included. The Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MMDQ) was assessed monthly for two months to acquire a mean baseline MMDQ score. The total sample was stratified to evaluate racial variations in PMS symptoms (non-minority, n = 7; minority, n = 8). MMDQ score at 5 months was compared to the mean baseline score within each group.ResultsFish oil supplementation significantly reduced PMS symptoms in both groups (non-minority p = 0.002; minority p = 0.046) with a large effect of 1.4 for both groups. Mean MMDQ total scores were not significantly different between groups at 5 months.ConclusionsThis pilot evidence of improved PMS symptoms in minority and non-minority groups related to fish oil supplementation supports a universal treatment approach and highlights need for a larger-scale investigation.