Manual lymphatic drainage for premenstrual syndrome symptoms: a pilot study

Abstract

Premenstrual syndrome is a symptomatology - including premenstrual edema - that affects women between the 10th and 14th days prior to menstruation and ends at the onset of menstrual flux. The technique of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) draws off accumulated fluid excess, acts on edema and might help relieve such symptoms. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effect of MLD on premenstrual symptoms and on health-related quality of life of four young women. The study was carried out along two menstrual cycles, the first with no intervention; MLD was applied along the second cycle. Participants were assessed, at the beginning of the first cycle and after treatment, as to height and weight, body composition estimate, daily symptoms by means of a diary, and quality of life by the WHOQoL-bref. After treatment results showed the sole significant decreases in abdomen xyphoid and navel level diameters; mean total and individual symptom scores decreased, but with no significant differences, the same happening to the higher WHOQoL-bref mean scores. Manual lymphatic drainage was thus able to reduce one premenstrual symptom, namely the upper abdomen edema, and didn't affect these young women's quality of life.