Assessment of starch dietary regimen regarding pre-menstrual syndrome among high school students in Sari during 2007

Background and Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the abnormalities associated with pre-menstrual cycles. Approximately 85% to 97% of women are suffering from psycho-somatic of physiological and behavioral symptoms from PMS, prior to menstruation. The most common PMS symptoms include: flatulence, stress anxiety, breast tenderness, depression, fatigue, unknown irritability, anger, poor concentration, and some degree in extremities edema. There are several therapeutic methods for PMS such as: oral contraceptive pills, GnRH antagonisms, diazole, use of Calcium and vitamin supplements, and dietary modification in which there is a controversy regarding type of diet. We assessed the effect of third- hour starch dietary regimen on pre-menstrual syndrome among high school students. This randomized quasi- experimental study was performed on students in grade 2 and 3 in Private and Governmental high schools in Sari. The sample size was calculated using randomize numbers table (478 participants). A questionnaire composed of two parts was prepared. The first part included demographic characteristics, while the second part consisted of data related to history of menstrual cycle, pervious diseases and use of drugs. The symptoms of PMS were assessed at the beginning of the study and also at the end of the first, second and third month after beginning of the third-hours starch regimen. Data was gathered by self-reporting technique, analyzed by descriptive and comprehensive statistical techniques. The age range of participants was 14 to 19 years of age (16.89±1.12). The mean of menstrual cycle was 28.87±2.1 days, and the mean of menstrual duration was 6.32±1.8. PMS symptoms score was 12.85±8.01 prior to dietary regimen, and at the end of one, two and three months, following dietary regimen in-take were 11.03±7.59, 12.47±7.79 and 11.13±6.71 respectively. This study indicated that there was significant differences among the groups. The results of this study revealed that carbohydrate-rich diet in-take can improve PMS symptoms. Therefore, it appears that codified teaching programs via medical health service and instruction to the students, is beneficial about the effects of diet on relieving PMS symptoms, and can reduce the usage of drugs during menstrual cycle.