Comparison of the Effect of Melissa officinalis Capsule and Care Educational Programs on the Intensity of Physical, Mental and Social Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome in High School Female Students

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the psychosomatic problems related to women's reproductive function, which is associated with emotional and mood disorders such as anger, anxiety and irritability (1). PMS is a periodic event in which a combination of corporeal, neurological and psychiatric disorders cause disturbance in individual's social adaptation, interpersonal relationships and normal activities, which negatively affects the quality of her life (2). It has been revealed that this syndrome is identified with more than 150 physical and mental signs and symptoms. Its psycho-mental symptoms, including the decline in interest in doing usual activities, difficulty concentrating, nervousness, irritability, interpersonal conflicts, anxiety, feelings of pressure (stress), emotional instability, depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, and self-criticism (3). The key element of a PMS diagnosis as identified by ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) is the presence of at least one somatic and emotional symptom before menstruation, which will be diminished by menstruation occurrence without medical interventions (4). The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) places premenstrual tension as the lay term that is used for PMS under "Diseases of the genitourinary system" (5). This disorder can cause disturbance in marital relationships, maternal-child challenges, social isolation, school and work absenteeism, poor performance, attention deficits, increase in psychosomatic complaints, and even suicide and legal problems (6)