The Difference Between Subjective Symptoms and Objective Symptom of Edema During the Menstrual Cycle

Background This study aimed to elucidate the differences between subjective and objective symptoms of edema during the menstrual cycle in female university students with normal menstruation. Methods The study included 29 female university students with normal menstrual cycles. The menstrual cycle was categorized into the early follicular, mid-luteal, and late-luteal phases, and measurements were taken during each phase. Subjective symptoms were evaluated using body charts and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) to assess the presence of edema. Objective symptoms were measured using a body composition analyzer to assess body weight, body water content, and regional water content. Results In the evaluation of subjective symptoms of edema using the body chart, no significant differences were observed across cycles. However, when body regions were compared, there were significantly fewer subjective symptoms in the upper arm (Rt/Lt) than in the face and trunk across all phases, while the lower leg (Rt/Lt) had significantly more subjective symptoms. The MDQ (water retention item) showed no marked differences across cycles. For objective evaluations of edema, including body weight and total body water, no significant differences were observed across cycles; however, regional water content was significantly higher in the trunk and right arm during the mid-luteal and late-luteal phases than in the early follicular phase. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the location and timing of subjective edema symptoms may differ from those of objective symptoms.