Sometimes more feared than period pain, premenstrual syndromes (PMS) bring people to hell. A study recently showed the correlation between reduced PMS and proximity to green spaces.
Premenstrual syndromes are a lot of pain and discomfort more or less violent (sometimes unnoticed as sometimes completely immobilizing). They occur a week to three days before menstruation and sometimes manifest themselves in the form of a one-off depression, oily hair, pimples, dysmorphohobia, stomach or chest pain, etc. They vary according to individuals, lifestyles and social situations.
A study conducted by the Barcelona Institute of Global Health in partnership with the University of Bergen, published in November 2021 and relayed by the magazine NEON, studied the correlation between the intensity of PMS and the proximity of individuals to green spaces. This study is based on a panel of 1069 menstruating people, aged between 18 and 49, living in Sweden and Norway. The people questioned had to answer a questionnaire allowing them to clearly establish the nature of their syndromes as well as their intensity. The researchers, themselves, studied their body mass index (which can, potentially, be correlated with pain), their physical activity, the level of pollution of their place of life as well as the size of the area covered. green near their residence.
Living near green spaces lowers cortisol levels
What emerges is that people living near green spaces – such as large parks, forests, mountains or beaches – experience much less violent PMS than those living in large cities. Indeed, the researchers noted a decrease in their level of anxiety and tension of 18%. They also saw a 16% drop in their feelings of PMS. According to the study’s lead author, Kai Triebner, the impacts on mental health are particularly noticeable. Such a result can be explained by the fact that the presence of strong vegetation around individuals makes it possible to drastically reduce their cortisol level. This hormone responsible for stress is also associated with the release of progesterone, a hormone linked to the onset of PMS.
However, this correlation is only valid if the person has been exposed to such proximity for a long time. In other words, if you experience severe physical and mental pain before your period, heading to a park won’t alleviate it all at once (although getting fresh air and walking can still do you good).
There is still little research on PMS
Research on premenstrual syndromes is often neglected by scientists. The sexism present in the research community means that subjects relating to menstruation are still covered with a halo of taboos, disinterest and false beliefs. The media The Independent relates, moreover, that 70 to 80% of regulated people suffer from PMS while only 19% of people with a penis experience erectile dysfunction. Yet 5 times more research is done on this area.
If you want to know more about PMS and the impact it can have on the lives of regulated people, you can follow Instagram accounts. @ SPMtamer, @ elementary rules or @cenestquedusang who campaign for a better knowledge of this period of the month.