MBSR for Premenstrual Syndrome and Childbirth Fear

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common cyclical condition characterized by a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that occur during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. These symptoms, which include depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, pain, and somatic discomfort, can significantly impair daily functioning, interpersonal relationships, academic and occupational performance, and overall quality of life. Beyond its somatic manifestations, PMS is increasingly recognized as a condition with substantial psychological and emotional consequences. Elevated stress reactivity, emotional dysregulation, and negative cognitive appraisals commonly observed in women with PMS may also contribute to heightened vulnerability to anxiety-related conditions, including fear of pregnancy and childbirth during the preconception period.

Fear of childbirth is a multidimensional construct encompassing cognitive, emotional, and physiological components, including catastrophic thinking, loss of control, bodily hypervigilance, and intolerance of uncertainty. Although most studies focus on fear of childbirth during pregnancy, emerging evidence suggests that such fear can develop long before conception, particularly among women experiencing high levels of anxiety, stress, and mood instability. Given the emotional and neuroendocrine fluctuations associated with PMS, women with severe premenstrual symptoms may be at increased risk for elevated fear related to pregnancy and childbirth. PMS has also been shown to negatively affect psychological well-being by reducing individuals' perceived sense of competence, life satisfaction, and capacity to cope with stress.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a structured psychosocial intervention designed to enhance present-moment awareness, emotional regulation, and adaptive coping through mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and cognitive decentering. MBSR has demonstrated beneficial effects on stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological well-being in diverse clinical and non-clinical populations. By fostering nonjudgmental awareness of bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts, MBSR may reduce the intensity of premenstrual symptoms, weaken maladaptive cognitive responses to discomfort, and improve overall psychological functioning. Furthermore, by promoting acceptance, self-regulation, and resilience, mindfulness-based approaches may reduce fear-related cognitive and emotional reactions associated with childbirth.

This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of an MBSR program on premenstrual symptom severity, fear of childbirth, and psychological well-being in women experiencing PMS. The trial was conducted between June 2023 and November 2025. Eligible participants were women aged 18 years or older with regular menstrual cycles who met the diagnostic threshold for PMS based on a Premenstrual Syndrome Scale score of 110 or higher. Women with gynecological disorders or those using hormonal contraceptives were excluded.

After providing informed consent and completing baseline assessments, participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the MBSR intervention group or a control group using computer-generated randomization. The intervention group received an eight-session MBSR program delivered online via Zoom. Sessions were conducted twice weekly, each lasting 40 minutes, and were facilitated by a certified mindfulness instructor. The program included structured mindfulness practices such as body scan, breath awareness, raisin exercise, attention to thoughts and emotions, and mindfulness-based coping strategies. Participants were encouraged to engage in regular home practice through assigned exercises. The control group did not receive any active intervention during the study period but completed the same assessment schedule.

Primary and secondary outcome measures were administered at baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention. Premenstrual symptom severity was assessed using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), which evaluates emotional, cognitive, and somatic symptoms. Fear of childbirth was measured with the Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale (CF-PPS), a validated instrument assessing fear related to pregnancy and birth before conception. Psychological well-being was evaluated using the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), which captures individuals' psychological resources, positive functioning, and overall mental well-being.

The primary objective of the study is to determine whether the MBSR intervention results in a greater reduction in PMS symptom severity compared with a control condition. Secondary objectives include assessing whether MBSR reduces fear of childbirth and enhances psychological well-being. Statistical analyses compare post-intervention outcomes between groups while controlling for baseline scores to estimate the effect of the intervention.

This trial aims to provide evidence for the role of mindfulness-based interventions as safe, feasible, and effective non-pharmacological strategies for improving women's mental health and reproductive well-being during the premenstrual period.