The prevalence of menstrual disorders and their association with psychological stress in Syrian students enrolled at health‐related schools: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesMenstrual disorders are among the most prevalent health issues among young female students studying in health science faculties. This study aimed to provide insights into the menstrual patterns among medical faculty students and determine whether stress can be a risk factor for its various disorders.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted in the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy at the Syrian Private University, Damascus, Syria, between October and November 2022. A total of 980 female students anonymously completed the identification of menstrual problems and the perceived stress scale (PSS) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS‐25.ResultsThe mean age of students was 21.52 ± 2.06 years. The most common menstrual disorders in this study were dysmenorrhea (88%), and premenstrual syndrome (87%). A total of 82% had mild to moderate stress, 10% had high stress, and 8% had low stress. Moderate to high perceived stress was associated with an increased risk of PMS (OR = 1.79, P = 0.0037).ConclusionThese findings stress the importance of universities, especially health science faculties, establishing protocols for early detection and intervention in students with stress and menstrual disorders. Implementing stress reduction education and timely counseling, along with preventive measures, is crucial for students' well‐being. Further research is needed to refine interventions for this group.

Menstruation-Related Symptoms and Associated Factors among Female University Students in Vietnam

“…Regarding the associated factors, in the current study, we found a correlation between overall stress and different types of stress and menstrual symptoms in both the pre-and intra-menstrual phases. These findings support the premise that stress is associated with menstrual distress, which has been reported in a previous systematic review of medical students [24] and in Japan [25,26], among students in Korea [27,28], among international students in China [29], and among Syrian students [30]. A study conducted among college students in Nigeria revealed that those who experienced academic stress were approximately twice as likely to develop menstrual disorders [31].…”