• Marijke S Labots-Vogelesang, Rachel Kooiman-Andringa, Theodora A M Teunissen, and Lagro-JanssenAntoine L MALM0000-0003-2339-3743Gender and Women's Health Unit, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands..
• Gender and Women's Health Unit, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
• Eur J Gen Pract. 2023 Dec 1; 29 (1): 21660332166033.

BackgroundWomen presenting with Premenstrual Disorder (PMD) to general practitioners (GPs) experience problems with their biopsychosocial functioning. PMD is a disorder consisting of physical and/or mood-based symptoms cyclically occurring with a significant impairment of daily life. Little is known about the symptoms and coping strategies of women with PMD and their experiences with their GPs.ObjectivesThis present study aimed to improve understanding of the perspectives of women with PMD, their coping strategies and their expectations of the GP.DesignQualitative study with semi-structured interviews.SettingIn 2017, Dutch women with symptoms of premenstrual disorder were recruited through local newspapers in the town of Nijmegen and the North-Holland region and via social media. After checking the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we interviewed 20 women (between 27 and 49 years of age). The interviews took place at a location of the interviewees' preference.ResultsPMD symptoms can strongly influence the quality of women's lives. Three themes emerged from our analysis: feelings of having two separate female identities, PMD as a life-controlling condition and different coping strategies. Most women used an active coping strategy. Women with PMD need recognition from their GPs and knowledge of proper treatment.ConclusionPMD symptoms can have a high impact on daily life. Women with PMD expressed their need for acknowledgement and a personalised approach from their GP. Greater awareness and knowledge among GPs may be helpful in this.

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