Suppression of Menstrual Distress Symptoms

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Abstract
The present study examined Type A and Type B women's reporting of chronic recurring symptoms of menstrual distress, which are culturally defined as interfering with daily activities. Based on previous laboratory experiments, it was expected that Type A women would be motivated to ignore symptoms during menstruation in order to carry on daily activities. Consequently, they would report less intense symptoms during menstruation relative to the intensity of the same symptoms reported when Type As would not be motivated to ignore symptoms. This hypothesis was supported and subsidiary analyses showed that both positive and negative sensations associated with menstruation were relatively underreported by Type As. Thus, it appears that Type As' suppression of acute symptoms during performance of specific tasks extends to suppression of menstrual distress.