Gender Differences in Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment among Japanese Obstetricians and Gynecologists: A Cross-Sectional Study

Gender Differences in Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment among Japanese Obstetricians and Gynecologists: A Cross-Sectional Study

Takashi Takeda,²

¹Division of Women's Health, Research Institute of Traditional Asian Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan
²Department of Women's Health, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
³Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
⁴Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
⁵Department of Psychosomatic and Psychiatric Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University Adachi Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan

Premenstrual symptoms are characterized by unpleasant psychophysical symptoms that appear during the luteal phase before menstruation and interfere with a woman's quality of life. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a pathological condition with premenstrual symptoms, of which premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a particularly severe psychological symptom. This study aimed to examine the gender differences in the diagnosis and treatment of PMS and PMDD among obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in Japan. Data were obtained from the survey conducted by the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. We used data from 1,257 of the 1,265 OB/GYNs who are engaged in PMS/PMDD practice and reported their gender. Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for propensity scores was performed. Female OB/GYNs were more frequently engaged in treating patients with PMS/PMDD than males [odds ratio (OR) 1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36-2.21]. With regard to the diagnostic methods, more female OB/GYNs selected the two-cycle symptom diary than males (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.80-4.60). Regarding treatment, fewer female OB/GYNs selected selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as their first-line drug (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.17-0.89). Gender differences were found in the selection of PMS/PMDD diagnosis and treatment methods among Japanese OB/GYNs.

Key words —— doctor-patient relationships; gender; oral contraceptive pills; prospective symptom diary; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2023 October, 261(2), 95-101.

Correspondence: Takashi Takeda, Division of Women's Health, Research Institute of Traditional Asian Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka 589-8511, Japan.

e-mail: take@med.kindai.ac.jp