Research on differences between heterosexual and lesbian relationships has reported that lesbian relationships are more satisfying, more egalitarian, more empathic, and facilitate more effective conflict resolution. These differences are of key relevance in terms of the construction and experience of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome), as is illustrated through interviews with 15 lesbian women who experience PMS and 10 of their partners. While experiences of premenstrual distress were similar to those previously reported by heterosexual women, the lesbian relationship context and positioning of PMS were markedly different. In contrast to the lack of understanding or support, rejection, and pathologization commonly found in heterosexual women's accounts, lesbian interviewees reported awareness and recognition of premenstrual change, responsiveness to needs, open communication, and responsibility sharing. This had significant consequences for the construction and experience of premenstrual change, facilitating open expression of needs, self-care, and avoidance of guilt and self-blame, reinforcing the view that PMS needs to be understood within a framework of inter-subjectivity.
Bailey, J.M. and Zucker, K.J. (1995) `Childhood Sex-typed Behavior and Sexual Orientation: A Conceptual Analysis and Quantitative Review', Developmental Psychology31: 43—55.
2.
Bancroft, J. (1993) `The Premenstrual Syndrome: A Reappraisal of the Concept and the Evidence', Psychological Medicine241 (supplement): 1—47.
3.
Caplan, P.J., McCurdy Myers, J. and Gans, M. (1992) `Should “Premenstrual Syndrome” be called a Psychiatric Abnormality?', Feminism & Psychology2(1): 27—44.
4.
Chang, A.M., Holroyd, E. and Chau, J.P. (1995) `Premenstrual Syndrome in Employed Chinese Women in Hong Kong', Health Care for Women International16(6): 551—61.
5.
Chrisler, J.C. and Caplan, P. (2002) `The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde: How PMS Became a Cultural Phenomenon and a Psychiatric Disorder', Annual Review of Sex Research13: 274—306.
6.
Connolly, C.M. (2005) `A Qualitative Exploration of Resilience in Long-term Lesbian Couples', The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families13(3): 266—80.
7.
Connolly, C.M. and Sicola, M.K. (2006) `Listening to Lesbian Couples: Communication Competence in Long Term Relationships', in J.J. Bigner (ed.) An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies, pp. 271—96. New York: Howarth Press.
8.
Cosgrove, L. and Riddle, B. (2003) `Constructions of Femininity and Experiences of Menstrual Distress', Women & Health38(3): 37—58.
9.
Coughlin, P.C. (1990) `Premenstrual Syndrome: How Marital Satisfaction and Role Choice Affect Symptom Severity', Social Work35(4): 351—5.
10.
Davies, B. and Harré, R. (1990) `Positioning: The Discursive Production of Selves', Journal of the Theory ofSocial Behaviour20: 43—65.
11.
Duncombe, J. and Marsden, D. (1998) `Stepford Wives and Hollow Men? Doing Emotion Work, Doing Gender and Authenticity in Heterosexual Relationships', in G. Bendelow and S. Williams (eds) Emotions in Social Life: Critical Themes and Contemporary Issues, pp. 34—47. London: Routledge .
12.
Eldridge, N.S. and Gilbert, L.A. (1990) `Correlates of Relationship Satisfaction in Lesbian Couples', Psychology of Women Quarterly14: 43—62.
13.
Elson, J. (2002) `Menarche, Menstruation, and Gender Identity: Retrospective Accounts from Women who have Undergone Premenopausal Hysterectomy', Sex Roles46: 37—48.
14.
Fontana, A.M. and Palfaib, T.G. (1994) `Psychosocial Factors in Premenstrual Dysphoria: Stressors, Appraisal, and Coping Processes. Journal of Psychosomatic Research38(6): 557—67.
15.
Frank, B., Dixon, D.N. and Grosz, H.J. (1993) `Conjoint Monitoring of Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome: Impact on Marital Satisfaction', Journal of Counseling Psychology40(1): 109—14.
16.
Frank, R. (1931) `The Hormonal Causes of Premenstrual Tension', Archives of NeurologicalPsychiatry26: 1053.
17.
Gottman, J.M., Levenson, R.W., Gross, J., Frederickson, B.L., McCoy, K., Rosenthal, L., Ruef, A. and Yoshimoto, D. (2003) `Correlates of Gay and Lesbian Couples' Relationship Satisfaction and Relationship Dissolution', Journal of Homosexuality45(1): 23—43.
18.
Green, R.-J., Bettinger, M. and Zacks, E. (1996) `Are Lesbian Couples Fused and Gay Male Couples Disengaged? Questioning Gender Straightjackets', in J. Laird and R.-J. Green (eds) Lesbians and Gays in Couples and Families: A Handbook for Therapists, pp. 185—230. San Fancisco, CA: Jossey Bass.
19.
Harré, R. and van Langenhov, L. (1999) Positioning Theory. London: Blackwell.
20.
Jack, D.C. (1991) Silencing the Self: Women and Depression. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
21.
Jones, A., Theodos, V., Canar, W.J., Sher, T.G. and Young, M. (2000) `Couples and Premenstrual Syndrome: Partners as Moderators of Symptoms?', in K.B. Schmaling (ed.) The Psychology of Couples and Illness: Theory, Research and Practice, pp. 217—39. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
22.
Jordan, J.V. (1991) `The Meaning of Mutuality', in A.G. Kaplan, J.B. Miller, I.P. Stiver and J.L. Surrey (eds) Women's Growth in Connection: Writings from theStone Center, pp. 81—96. New York: Guilford.
23.
Julien, D., Chartrand, E., Simard, M.C., Bouthillier, D. and Begin, J. (2003) `Conflict, Social Support, and Relationship Quality: An Observational Study of Heterosexual, Gay Male, and Lesbian Couples' Communication ', Journal of Family Psychology17(3): 419—28.
24.
Koepke, L., Hare, J. and Moran, P. (1992) `Relationship Quality in a Sample of Lesbian Couples with Children and Child-free Couples', Family Relations41: 224—29.
25.
Krestan, J. and Bepko, C.S. (1980) `The Problem of Fusion in Lesbian Relationships ', Family Process19: 277—89.
26.
Kuczmierczyka, A.R., Labrumb, A.H. and Johnson, C.C. (1992) `Perception of Family and Work Environments in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome', Journal of Psychosomatic Research36(8): 787—95.
27.
Kurdek, L.A. (1987) `Sex-role Self Schema and Psychological Adjustment in Coupled Homosexual and Heterosexual Men and Women', Sex Roles17: 549—62.
28.
Kurdek, L.A. (2003) `Differences between Gay and Lesbian Cohabiting Couples', Journal of Social and Personal Relationships20: 411—36.
29.
Kurdek, L.A. (2004a) `Are Gay and Lesbian Cohabiting Couples Really Different from Heterosexual Married Couples?', Journal of Marriage and Family66: 880—900.
30.
Kurdek, L.A. (2004b) `Gay Men and Lesbians: The Family Context', in M. Coleman and L.H. Ganong (eds) Handbook of Contemporary Families: Considering the Past, Contemplating the Future, pp. 96—105. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
31.
Kurdek, L.A. (2005) `What Do We Know about Gay and Lesbian Couples? ' Current Directions in Psychological Science14: 251—4.
32.
Laird, J. (2000) `Gender in Lesbian Relationships: Cultural, Feminist, and Constructionist Reflections', Journal of Marital and Family Therapy26(4): 455—67.
33.
Lee, S. (2002) `Health and Sickness: The Meaning of Menstruation and Premenstrual Syndrome in Women's Lives', Sex Roles46(1—2): 25—35.
34.
Mackey, R.A., Diemer, M.A. and O'Brien, B.A. (2004) `Relational Factors in Understanding Satisfaction in the Lasting Relationships of Same-Sex and Heterosexual Couples ', Journal of Homosexuality47(1): 111—36.
35.
Matthews, A.K., Tartaro, J. and Hughes, T.L. (2003) `A Comparative Study of Lesbian and Heterosexual Women in Committed Reationships', Journal of Lesbian Studies7(1): 101—14.
36.
McDaniel, S.H. (1988) `The Interpersonal Politics of Premenstrual Syndrome ', Family Systems Medicine6(2): 134—49.
37.
Mencher, J. (1990) Intimacy in Lesbian Relationships: A Critical Re-examination of Fusion, Work in Progress No 42. Wellesley, MA: Wellesley College, Stone Center for Women's Development.
38.
Metz, M.E., Rosser, B.R.R. and Strapko, N. (1994) `Differences in Conflict-resolution Styles among Heterosexual, Gay, and Lesbian Couples. The Journal of Sex Research31(4): 293—308.
39.
Nash, H.C. and Chrisler, J.C. (1997) `Is a Little (Psychiatric) Knowledge a Dangerous Thing? The Impact of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder on Perceptions of Premenstrual Women', Psychology of Women Quarterly21(2): 315—22.
40.
O'Brien, S.M. (2003) `Intrusiveness, Closeness-caregiving, and Relationship Adjustment in Lesbian Cohabiting Couples', Dissertation Abstracts International, Section B: The Sciences & Engineering64(6-B): 2933.
41.
O'Grady, H. (2005) Woman's Relationship with Herself: Gender, Foucault, Therapy. London: Routledge.
42.
Parlee, M. (1991) `The Social Construction of PMS: A Case Study of Scientific Discourse as Cultural Contestation', paper presented at The Good Body: Asceticism in Contemporary Culture Conference , Institute for the Medical Humanities, Texan University , Galveston, USA.
43.
Perz, J. and Ussher, J.M. (2006) `Women's Experience of Premenstrual Change: A Case of Silencing the Self', Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology24(4): 289—303.
44.
Rittenhouse, C.A. (1991) `The Emergence of Premenstrual Syndrome as a Social Problem', Social Problems38(3): 412—25.
45.
Ross, L.E. (2005) `Perinatal Mental Health in Lesbian Mothers: A Review of Potential Risk and Protective Factors', Women and Health41(3): 113—28.
46.
Roth, S. (1989) `Psychotherapy with Lesbian Couples: Individual Issues, Female Socialization and the Social Context', in M. McGoldrick, C.M. Anderson and E. Walsh (eds) Women in Families: A Framework for Family Therapy, pp. 286—307. New York: Norton.
47.
Ryser, R. and Feinauer, L.L. (1992) `Premenstrual Syndrome and the Marital Relationship ', American Journal of Family Therapy20(2): 179—90.
48.
Schneider, M.S. (1986) `The Relationships of the Cohabiting Lesbian and Heterosexual Couples: A Comparison', Psychology of Women Quarterly10: 234—9.
49.
Schreurs, K.M.G. and Buunk, B.P. (1996) `Closeness, Autonomy, Equity, and Relationship Satisfaction in Lesbian Couples', Psychology of Women Quarterly20: 577—92.
50.
Schwartz, C.B. (2001) `The Relationship between Partner Social Support and Premenstrual Symptoms', Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences & Engineering61(10-B): 5580.
51.
Slater, S. and Mencher, J. (1991) `The lesbian family life cycle. Journal of American Orthopsychiatry, 61, 372—382.
52.
Smith-Martinez, K.L. (1995) `Premenstrual symptomatology and its impact on marital communication', Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences & Engineering, 56(6-B): 2887.
53.
Stenner, P. (1993) `Discoursing Jealousy', in E. Burman and I. Parker (ed.) Discourse Analytic Research, pp. 114—34. London: Routledge.
54.
Sveinsdottir, H., Lundman, B. and Norberg, A. (2002) `Whose Voice? Whose Experiences? Women's Qualitative Accounts of General and Private Discussion of Premenstrual Syndrome', Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences16(4): 414—23.
55.
Ussher, J.M. (1992) `Reproductive Rhetoric and the Blaming of the Body ', in P.U. Nicolson, J.M. Ussher and J. Campling (eds) The Psychology of Women's Health and Health Care , pp. 31—61. London: McMillan .
56.
Ussher, J.M. (1996) `Premenstrual Syndrome: Reconciling Disciplinary Divides through the Adoption of a Material-discursive Epistemological Standpoint ', Annual Review of Sex Research7: 218—51.
57.
Ussher, J.M. (1999) `Premenstrual Syndrome: Reconciling Disciplinary Divides through the Adoption of a Material-discursive-intrapsychic Approach ', in A. Kolk, M. Bekker and K. Van Vliet (eds) Advances in Women and Health Research, pp. 47—64. Amsterdam : Tilberg University Press.
58.
Ussher, J.M. (2002) `Processes of Appraisal and Coping in the Development and Maintenance of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder', Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology12: 1—14.
59.
Ussher, J.M. (2003a) `The Ongoing Silencing of Women in Families: An Analysis and Rethinking of Premenstrual Syndrome and Therapy', Journal of Family Therapy25: 388—405.
60.
Ussher, J.M. (2003b) `The Role of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in the Subjectification of Women', Journal ofMedical Humanities24(1/2): 131—46.
61.
Ussher, J.M. (2004a) `Blaming the Body for Distress: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and the Subjectification of Women', in A. Potts, N. Gavey and A. Wetherall (eds) Sex and The Body, pp. 183—202. Palmerstone North, NZ: Dunmore Press.
62.
Ussher, J.M. (2004b) `Premenstrual Syndrome and Self-policing: Ruptures in Self-Silencing Leading to Increased Self-Surveillance and Blaming of the Body', Social Theory &Health2(3): 254—72.
63.
Ussher, J.M. (2006) Managing the Monstrous Feminine: Regulating the Reproductive Body. London: Routledge .
64.
Ussher, J.M. (in press) `Challenging the Positioning of Premenstrual Change as PMS: The Impact of a Psychological Intervention on Women's Self-Policing', Qualitative Research in Psychology.
65.
Ussher, J.M. and Perz, J. (2006) `Evaluating the Relative Efficacy of a Self-help and Minimal Psycho-educational Intervention for Moderate Premenstrual Distress Conducted from a Critical Realist Standpoint', Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology24(2): 347—62.
66.
Ussher, J.M. and Perz, J. (in press) `Disruption of the Silenced-Self: The Case of PreMenstrual Syndrome', in D.C. Jack (ed.) The Depression Epidemic: International Perspectives on Women's Self-silencing and Psychological Distress. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
67.
Ussher, J.M. and Wilding, J.M. (1991) `Performance and State Changes during the Menstrual Cycle, Conceptualised within a Broad Band Testing Framework', Social Science and Medicine32(5): 525—34.
68.
Ussher, J.M., Hunter, M. and Browne, S.J. (2000) `Good, Bad or Dangerous to Know: Representations of Femininity in Narrative Accounts of PMS', in C. Squire (ed.) Culture and Psychology, pp. 87—99. Falmer and New York: Routledge .
69.
Ussher, J.M., Hunter, M. and Cariss, M. (2002) `A Woman-centred Psychological Intervention for Premenstrual Symptoms, Drawing on Cognitive-behavioural and Narrative Therapy', Clinical Psychology andPsychotherapy9: 319—31.
70.
Ussher, J.M., Perz, J. and Mooney-Somers, J. (2007) `The Experience and Positioning of Affect in the Context of Intersubjectivity: The Case of Premenstrual Syndrome', International Journal of CriticalPsychology21: 145—65.
71.
Welthagen, N. (1995) `The Influence of Premenstrual Symptoms on MaritalCommunication', unpublished PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
72.
Winter, E.J., Ashton, D.J. and Moore, D.L. (1991) `Dispelling Myths: A Study of PMS and Relationship Satisfaction', The Nurse Practitioner16(5): 37—40.
73.
Winterich, J.A. (2003) `Sex, Menopause and Culture: Sexual Orientation and the Meaning of Menopause for Women's Lives', Gender and Society17(4): 627—42.
74.
Woods, N.F., Lentz, M.J., Mitchell, E.S., Heitkemper, M., Shaver, J. and Henker, R. (1998) `Perceived Stress, Physiologic Stress Arousal, and Premenstrual Symptoms: Group Differences and Intra-individual Patterns ', Research in Nursing and Health21(6): 511—23.
