Prevalence, impact, and management perception of dysmenorrhea among university students: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a common condition among females that is characterized by painful cramps before or during menstruation. It is considered as a common gynecological complaint that affects the quality of women's life. The study evaluated prevalence of dysmenorrhea, its impact, associated risk factors, and the management strategies adopted by female university students in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 562 female students aged 18-30 years at the university level. The results showed a high prevalence rate of dysmenorrhea (79.4%) among the students. The most common risk factors were family history (87.4%) and length of menstruation (79%). Half (50.2%) of the respondents were absent at the university at least 1 day every month. The most widely used medications by the respondents were ibuprofen (42%) and paracetamol (40%), whereas only 3% used mefenamic acid, despite that they experienced complete pain relief with mefenamic acid. High prevalence rate of dysmenorrhea associated with risk factors such as family history and length of menstruation, was found among university students. However, pain and associated symptoms affect the quality of life.

Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea and its Management among Undergraduate Students of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…[9], 60-64% in Ile-Ife [10,11], and 69.8% in Maiduguri [12]. These studies have agreed with our study that dysmenorrhea is prevalent among women in their reproductive years though studies have also been conducted aside Nigeria, and it showed that 85.6% in Kuwait [13],79.4% in Saudi Arabia [14], 84.2% in India [15],74.8% in Spanish [16] 89.4% in Al-Asadi, [23] 84.2% in Lithuania [24], 88% in Australia [25], 85.1% in Palestine [26], 83.6% in Northern Ghana [27] and 84.1% in Italy [28], 68.7% in China [29], 74.8% in Spain [16], 94% in Oman [30], 98.4% in Iran [31] and 95% in Turkey [32], 80.9% in Lebanon [17] and 92% in Riyadh [18]. Our findings agree with the findings of these studies that dysmenorrhea abounds in women in their reproductive years.…”

“…The present study revealed that the prevalence of dysmenorrhea was higher among female students who had a family history of dysmenorrhea (74.5%). Similar results were disclosed in a study that reported inconsistent with 65.6% and 60.7% of the students had a family history of dysmenorrhea by El-Mawgod et al [33] and Ali et al [14] respectively. Though our study claims that 30% experienced mild pain, 33% had moderate pain, and 37% had severe pain.…”

“…Though studies on the prevalence of dysmenorrhea abound in our communities; 78.1% in Ogun State [7], 62% in Oyo State [8], 58% in Osun State [9], 60-64% in Ile-Ife [10,11], and 69.8% in Maiduguri [12]. Also, some studies that had been carried out in other countries have shown the prevalence of dysmenorrhea shown 85.6% in Kuwait [13],79.4% in Saudi Arabia [14], 84.2% in India [15],74.8% in Spanish [16] and the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 80.9% in Lebanon [17] and 92% in Riyadh [18]. literature review on the Prevalence of dysmenorrhea varies greatly across different populations.…”

Correlation between nutritional status and primary dysmenorrhea based on work ability, location, intensity, days of pain, and dysmenorrhea (Walidd) Score

“…Meanwhile, 194 female students had no family history of dysmenorrhea. In a study by Unsal et al [44], the prevalence of female students with a family history of dysmenorrhea was 295 (47.4%). Based on the chi-square test results, there is a relationship between family history and the incidence of primary dysmenorrhea at the Medical Faculty of UKI.…”

Current State of the Problem of Menstrual Cycle Disorders in Women of Reproductive Age With Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Dysplasia (Literature Review)

“…Dysmenorrhea is characterized by painful spasms before or during menstruation due to cyclic shedding of the inner lining of the uterus. Approximately 34 % of women rated the pain as 7-10 points on the VAS scale (visual analog scale) [35], which negatively affects the intellectual abilities and psychosocial existence of a significant number of adolescent girls and young women [36,37].…”