Table 3.
Menstrual symptoms by phase and group.
| Follicular | Ovulation | Luteal | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOC | OC | NOC | OC | NOC | OC | |
| I feel more irritable than normal* | 33% | 21% | 5% | 0% | 10% | 4% |
| I am experiencing menstrual cramps* | 38% | 54% | 0% | 8% | 0% | 4% |
| I am feeling more depressed than normal | 10% | 4% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| I am experiencing more stomach pain than normal* | 33% | 21% | 5% | 0% | 10% | 13% |
| I get tired more easily* | 57% | 33% | 10% | 4% | 10% | 21% |
| I am taking a prescription for menstrual pain | 0% | 4% | 0% | 4% | 0% | 4% |
| I am feeling weak or dizzy | 0% | 8% | 0% | 0% | 10% | 0% |
| I am feeling tense or nervous | 5% | 13% | 5% | 8% | 19% | 8% |
| I am experiencing diarrhea | 14% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 5% | 0% |
| I am experiencing backaches or lower back pain* | 33% | 33% | 19% | 8% | 19% | 8% |
| I am taking OTC medication for pain* | 10% | 13% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| I am experiencing pain in my breasts | 5% | 13% | 0% | 0% | 10% | 0% |
| I am using heat to treat my abdominal or back pain | 0% | 8% | 0% | 4% | 0% | 0% |
| I am experiencing constipation | 0% | 0% | 5% | 0% | 5% | 4% |
| I am experiencing muscle spasms in my legs | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| I am feeling more bloated than normal* | 53% | 38% | 5% | 0% | 19% | 17% |
| I am feeling more nauseous than normal | 14% | 4% | 0% | 0% | 5% | 8% |
| I am having more headaches than normal | 19% | 8% | 0% | 4% | 10% | 8% |
Data shown are the percentage of participants who responded “Yes” to each statement. NOC = No oral contraception. OC = Oral contraception. Chi2 analysis revealed no between-group differences for any of the variables at any phase.
*
Indicates differences in the proportion of menstrual symptoms experienced among phases (chi2, p<0.05).