Note:
Below you will find a few suggestions for searching this topic. These suggestions aren't the only way to find materials, but they may help to get you started.
Premenstural syndrome (PMS)
I. Find Background Information
Reference Sources:
- International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences
Search premenstrual syndrome. Note: An article titled "Gynecological Health: Psychosocial Aspects has a section on Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder" - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
OpenSection II: Diagnostic Criteria and Codes, Depressive Disorders, to read description of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. - Previous Editions of the DSM
It can also be useful to search the previous editionsof the DSM to find out when Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder first appeared in the manual and how it progressed over the subsequent manuals. When did the term menstruation or menstrual first appear in the DSM and in what context? Note: These are pdfs. Openthe links and useCtrl Fto search for the term “Menstru” in the manual.
II. Search the library catalog
To find scientific (medical or psychiatric) texts, histories, and “popular” materials (written for non-specialists) along with some primary sources (memoirs, autobiographies) :
- Open the Library Catalog
- Start with these terms and phrases and use the pull-down menu to select "Subject:"
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Premenstrual Syndrome >Treatment
- Women > Health and hygiene
- Women > Diseases Popular Works
- Menstruation Disorders
Note: For more precise searching, you can also Limit Your Search (left-hand menu) by Subject and clickmoreto see all the subheadings
III. Find current Scholarly Journal Articles(secondary sources)
- Studies on women and gender abstracts online
Suggested search terms: PMS OR Premenstrual Syndrome - Historical Abstracts
Suggested search terms to start: On the first line enter "PMS OR Premenstrual Syndrome." On the second line, enter the term "history"
IV. Find current “popular” (i.e. written for the general public, rather than for specialists) articles about PMS.
- Database: Proquest Research Library
Add your search terms: PMS OR Premenstrual Syndrome'
Under Source type, select Magazines.
Under Publication Titles, select "more" to select specific magazines.
If you wish, use the date limits on the right to restrict to a particular date range.
V. Find more articles about the history of PMS
Including some historical articles that may be considered primary sources. It may be helpful to include alternate search terms that were used in the past to describe the syndrome like: "female trouble" OR menstruation