This study investigated the difference of menstrual problems according to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among North Korean woman defectors in South Korea.

The 127 North Korean women in government resettlement centers in South Korea responded to a Likert scale questionnaire of Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) on December 2012. Data was analyzed using mean and t-test.

The mean number of menstrual problem was 1.5 (SD=1.5) in the non-PTSD group. The PTSD group had more menstrual problems (Mean=2.2, SD=1.5) than non-PTSD group and this difference was statistically significant (t=-2.32, p=0.022).

This study demonstrates that psychological intervention is necessary for North Korean woman defectors who have traumatic experiences and menstrual problems.