Table 3.
Multivariable Adjusted Mean Levels of Blood Pressure Among Women Experiencing Specific Menstrual Symptoms; University of Massachusetts Premenstrual Syndrome Study (2006–2014)
| Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom severity | Symptom severity | ||||||||
| Symptom | Moderate or severe | None or mild | Differencea | p | Symptom | Moderate or severe | None or mild | Differencea | p |
| Hot flashes/night sweats | 117.3 | 111.2 | 6.1 | 0.04 | Palpitations | 78.5 | 71.2 | 7.3 | 0.12 |
| Dizziness | 117.5 | 112.2 | 5.3 | 0.18 | Nausea | 77.7 | 71.0 | 6.7 | 0.007 |
| Anxiety | 115.1 | 111.2 | 3.9 | 0.03 | Forgetfulness | 77.9 | 71.2 | 6.7 | 0.15 |
| Forgetfulness | 115.9 | 112.3 | 3.6 | 0.48 | Dizziness | 77.4 | 71.2 | 6.2 | 0.09 |
| Hot flashes/night sweats | 74.4 | 70.2 | 4.2 | 0.12 | |||||
| Insomnia | 74.9 | 70.8 | 4.1 | 0.10 | |||||
| Depression | 74.3 | 70.4 | 3.9 | 0.02 | |||||
| Acne | 73.5 | 70.3 | 3.2 | 0.02 | |||||
| Abdominal cramping | 72.8 | 69.7 | 3.1 | 0.02 | |||||
Adjusted for age (months, continuous), body mass index (kg/m2, continuous), age at menarche (years, continuous), current oral contraceptive use (yes vs. no), smoking status (ever vs. never), and enrollment date (three indicator variables).
a
Difference in mean blood pressure between women reporting each symptom as “moderate” or “severe” versus “none” or “mild.” Results shown for symptoms with difference ≥3.0 mm Hg.