Problem‐Solving Appraisal, Oral Contraceptive Use, and Menstrual Pain¹

The effects of self‐appraisal problem‐solving ability and oral contraceptive use on ratings of menstrual pain were studied among 130 undergraduate women. Participants completed the Problem‐Solving Inventory (Heppner, 1988) and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (Moos, 1984). Regression analyses indicated that oral contraceptives–which are often prescribed to relieve menstrual pain among college women–were not predictive of lower pain ratings. Problem‐solving appraisal, however, was significantly predictive of pain. Ratings of effective personal control during problem solving were associated with lower ratings of premenstrual and menstrual pain. Results are discussed as they pertain to the study of psychological factors in menstruation, and to the study of problem solving and behavioral health.