Masoomeh Cheraghbirjandi, Ahmad Nasiri Foorg,
Volume 33, Issue 1 (Articles In Press 2026)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common hormonal and psychological disorders among women that can significantly affect their quality of life. It typically occurs during the second half of the menstrual cycle and is associated with a range of physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms, including abdominal pain, breast tenderness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, mood swings, and disturbances in sleep and appetite. Married women with PMS often face numerous challenges in their personal and social relationships. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of married women with PMS.
Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using Van Manen’s phenomenological approach. In total, 10married women diagnosed with PMS were selected through purposive sampling based on the following inclusion criteria: age between 20 and 50 years, at least two years of marital life, absence of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause, confirmed diagnosis of PMS by a gynecologist, and willingness to participate in the study. Data were collected through open, unstructured interviews and analyzed using Van Manen’s six-step method. The MAXQDA10 software was used for data coding and categorization.
Results: Data analysis led to the emergence of four main themes, namely "The Heavy Shadow of PMS on Daily Life," "Marriage as a Double-Edged Sword: The Dual Role of the Husband in Adaptation to the Illness," "Disruption in Marital Relationships: An Unintended Consequence of the Disorder," and "Resorting to Various Strategies to Alleviate the Burden of the Illness".
Conclusion: The findings revealed that married women with PMS experience considerable distress and challenges in their marital lives, many of which remain unexpressed. In addition to coping with the distressing symptoms of the disorder, they may also encounter neglect and lack of understanding from their spouses and others around them. Understanding the lived experiences of these women can enhance awareness among family members and healthcare providers, improve social support, and help reduce the burden associated with the disorder.
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