FRAMINGHAM, Mass., June 12 /PRNewswire/ via Individual Inc. -- A newly released survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation reveals that the vast majority of women hold misconceptions about premenstrual syndrome (PMS), its disturbances and timing. The results of the survey indicate that the general public needs more education about PMS in order to enable women to properly diagnose and treat their PMS.
The majority of women do not realize that PMS can occur up to two weeks before menstruation. Almost half of the women surveyed (46 percent) believe that PMS occurs up to one week prior to menstruation; 21 percent believe that it occurs in the two to three days immediately preceding menstruation.
Survey results also indicate that almost all women are unaware of the scope of disturbances associated with PMS. Only one percent of the women surveyed knew that there are more than 100 symptoms of PMS (there are, in fact, 150 symptoms associated with PMS). Instead, the majority (61 percent) of women surveyed believe that there are only one to five symptoms of PMS.
"If the majority of women are unaware of the timeframe in which PMS happens and are also unaware of all the disturbances associated with PMS, it stands to reason that many women could be experiencing PMS and not even realize it," notes Wendy Kramer, vice president of sales and marketing, InterNutria, Inc.
For many women, the emotional and appetite disturbances of PMS such as mood swings and food cravings are worse than the physical symptoms which include cramps and bloating. Almost two-thirds (62 percent) of the women surveyed associated their PMS with emotional disturbances such as anger, depression, and mood swings. Appetite disturbances, such as cravings for sweet, salty or carbohydrate foods, were experienced by forty percent of women.
A SolutionNew research indicates that many PMS disturbances are associated with decreased levels of serotonin, a natural chemical in our brain that regulates mood and appetite. During the premenstrual timeframe, women's serotonin level is lower than normal. This new research forms the basis for a new product to help women manage the normal emotional and appetite disturbances associated with PMS -- PMS Escape.
Developed by Dr. Judith Wurtman, research scientist, Department of Brain and Cognitive Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), PMS Escape is flavored powdered drink mix made from a blend of natural carbohydrates and select vitamins and minerals that is believed to act by boosting the normal level of serotonin in the brain. PMS Escape is available in boxes of eight individually and discreetly wrapped packets, in three flavors: raspberry-lime, strawberry-kiwi and lemon. The recommended dietary intake is one to two packets daily, one in the morning and/or in the afternoon, when PMS disturbances are present. The average retail price is approximately $10 per box. PMS Escape is available at leading retail pharmacies and supermarkets throughout the East coast and via an 800 number.
SurveyThe PMS Survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation of Princeton, NJ, for InterNutria, Inc. InterNutria specializes in the development of several other dietary supplements and medical food products for the management of common health conditions. InterNutria's products are clinically-tested and evaluated for safety and effectiveness under the guidance of leading medical institutions and university hospitals. Survey results are based on telephone interviews with a representative national random sample of 587 women, 18 to 49 years of age, living in the United States who were surveyed between March 20 and March 29, 1997. The margin of error at the 95 confidence level is plus or minus 4%%.
SOURCE: InterNutria, Inc.
CONTACT: Diane Kehoe or Katy Gaenicke of Cone Communications, 617-227-2111