Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its effect on quality of life among a group of female university students

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and determine its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among a group of female university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 March and 15 April 2009 at Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, Health High School, Western Turkey. The study group included 623 female students. The severity of dysmenorrhea was determined with a 10-point visual analog scale. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) form was used to determinate HRQoL. Chi-square test, Student's t test, and logistic regression and variance analyses (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses. The average age of the study group was 20.8 ± 1.8 years (range 17–30). Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was found to be 72.7% and was significantly higher in coffee consumers, females with menstrual bleeding duration ≥7 days, and those who had a positive family history of dysmenorrhea when compared to the others (P < 0.05, for each one). By multivariate analysis, coffee consumption (OR 2.084), menstrual bleeding duration ≥7 days (OR 1.590), and positive family history of dysmenorrhea (OR 3.043) were important risk factors for dysmenorrhea. Except for social functioning, role–emotional, and mental health domains, the SF-36 points received from the other domains were higher in females with dysmenorrhea (for each one P < 0.05). With the exception of the scores received from physical functioning and role–emotional domains, the scores received from the other domains of the SF-36 scale showed a decrease with increasing severity of dysmenorrhea (P < 0.05, for each one). Dysmenorrhea is a common health problem, having negative effects on the HRQoL among university female students.

Dismenoresi olan kadınlarda menstruasyona yönelik tutum ve stres algısı değişiklikleri

“…kadın üniversite öğrencilerinde dismenore prevelansını araştırdıkla-rı bir çalışmada 623 kadın öğrenciyi sorgulamışlar ve % 72.7'sinin dismenoresi olduğunu bildirmişler-dir. Aynı çalışmada dismenoreli bireylerin menarş yaşı ortalamalarını 13.38 yıl olduğunu ve menarş yaşının dismenoresi olan ve olmayan bireylerde değişiklik göstermediğini bulunmuştur (40). Çalışma-mızda yer alan 100 olgunun menarş yaşı ortalaması 13.45±1.35 olarak tespit edilmiştir.…”

“…Dismenoreli ve normal menstruasyon geçiren kadınların menarş yaşı ortalamaları ve siklus düzenleri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır. Bu bulgu menarş yaşının toplumumuzda dismenoreyi etkileyen bir faktör olmadığını göstermektedir ve önceki çalışmalar ile uyumlu bir bulgudur (12,40).…”

Presenting complaints in Gynecology Outpatient Department (OPD) and Prevalence and Assessment of Dysmenorrhea

“…Emotional and behavioral problems like anxiety, s t r e s s , a n d d e p r e s s i o n m a y e x a c e r b a t e dysmenorrhea. 3,11 Though dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological problem, enough hospital-based studies have not been done in Nepal to know the true extent of this problem. The aim of this study is to describe the presenting complaints in the Gynecological OPD in a tertiary hospital of Kathmandu and to describe the prevalence and assess the extent of dysmenorrhea and its impact on daily activities in the women visiting the OPD.…”

“…2 Primary dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation without any underlying pathology while secondary dysmenorrhea is the one associated with underlying pathology. 3,4 Dysmenorrhea is commonest problem of menstruation affecting adolescent age females with prevalence ranging from 40-91%. 3,5 A study in Virginia, USA showed that primary dysmenorrhea was present in 40-50% of menstruating females and caused significant disruption in quality of life and absenteeism.…”

“…3,4 Dysmenorrhea is commonest problem of menstruation affecting adolescent age females with prevalence ranging from 40-91%. 3,5 A study in Virginia, USA showed that primary dysmenorrhea was present in 40-50% of menstruating females and caused significant disruption in quality of life and absenteeism. 4 Study of medical students in Iran shows prevalence of 38.3% 6 and 71% prevalence of dysmenorrhea; 15% stated it has interfered with their daily life 7 .…”