Table 1 Original item pool for the premenstrual coping measure

Looking after the body

I make more of an effort to eat healthy food

I eat less sugary foods

I eat more sugary foods

I increase my alcohol consumption

I decrease my alcohol consumption

I increase my sexual activity

I decrease my sexual activity

I exercise more

I exercise less

I take vitamins or minerals

I use alternative forms of treatment e.g. naturopathy, acupuncture,

I take prescribed medication

I take over the counter medicine for pain relief e.g. paracetamol

Planning

I refer to a calendar or diary to know when I will be premenstrual

I use a mobile app or online tool to track when I will be premenstrual

Self-care

I allow myself extra time to rest

I do things to make myself more comfortable

I take time to focus on my own needs

I focus less on the needs of others

I make time to do things that I enjoy

I spend time doing things that help me relax e.g. have a bath, massage, read a book

I take time out from my usual responsibilities

I give myself permission to let go of the usual demands I place on myself

Social support and communication

I tell others about how I am feeling

I ask for help from others

I feel confident to tell people how I feel

I feel confident to tell people what I need

Avoiding harm to self

I avoid thinking about things that I know annoy me

I avoid having conversations that are liable to upset me

I avoid raising topics that have the potential to create conflict

I raise issues that I usually keep to myself

I try to avoid dealing with difficult family issues

I avoid people that have the potential to provoke me

I avoid situations that have the potential to provoke me

I avoid situations where I know I will feel vulnerable

I remove myself from a situation if it starts to provoke me

Acceptance

I believe that my premenstrual changes are a normal part of a woman’s experience

I know that other women go through this

I see positive aspects to my premenstrual change

I think it is okay to be feeling differently when I am premenstrual

I think it is okay to be more emotional or sensitive when I am premenstrual

I think it is okay that my physical needs may be different when I am premenstrual

I think that what I feel like doing shouldn’t change when I am premenstrual

I accept my changeable moods

Awareness

I am aware of my bodily changes

I am aware of my emotional changes

I am aware that my premenstrual changes are only temporary.

I am aware of things that ‘trigger’ me when I am premenstrual

I know what I need to do to support myself

I know when I am beginning to feel ‘premenstrual’

Emotional regulation

I try to keep my emotions under control

I openly express increased feelings of anger, frustration or irritability

I vent my feelings through emotional outbursts

I try not to express how I am feeling

I don’t express my feelings in the heat of the moment but talk about my feelings later when I feel calmer

I am able to express my anger or irritation without blaming others

I use positive self-talk

I challenge my negative thoughts

Desire to be alone

I take time to be on my own

I enjoy doing things on my own

I withdraw from others

I communicate with others about my need to be on my own

I decrease my social activities

I increase my social activities