Help-seeking behaviours and experiences for mental health symptoms related to the menstrual cycle: a UK-wide exploratory survey

Abstract

Abstract Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are menstrual cycle-related disorders characterised by psychological and physical symptoms which impact functioning. Little is known about avenues for help-seeking for these disorders. Therefore, we sought to examine help-seeking behaviors and experiences, and investigate differences between identified PMS and PMDD groups. An online survey was delivered and data from 530 participants were analysed. All participants endorsed at least one PMS symptom, with 97.17% experiencing functional impairment. Help was sought by 64.91% (online: 45.93%; formal: 11.34%; online and formal: 42.73%), with 78.49% perceiving their symptoms were not taken seriously when seeking formal help. Most sought help online to look up symptoms (85.57%) and treatment options (39.67%). The study revealed the high frequency of PMS symptoms and the impact on wellbeing, as well as the significant proportion of online help-seekers, emphasizing the need for high-quality, evidence-based online resources and improvement of formal care interactions.