Common Menstrual Disorders in Adolescence: Nursing Interventions

Abstract

Menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea, excessive uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome are common reasons for visits to healthcare providers by adolescent girls. Although menstrual irregularity can be normal during the first few years after menarche, other menstrual signs and symptoms may indicate a pathological condition that requires prompt attention and referral. This article discusses four common menstrual disorders seen in adolescent girls and focuses on specific nursing interventions aimed at eliciting an accurate menstrual history, providing confidentiality and communicating therapeutically, administering culturally sensitive care, and promoting independence and self-care.

The Self-Care Strategies of Girls with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Focus Group Study in Taiwan

“…Nursing efforts toward empowering the adolescent to assume responsibility for her body are likely to be more effective than efforts aimed at compliance (McEvoy et al, 2004). Partially consistent with some earlier reports in the West (Banikarim et al, 2000;Helms, 1987;Hewison & Akker, 1996;Klein & Litt, 1981), it appears that Taiwanese adolescents may not always use medications effectively and would benefit from additional information on period pain management.…”

“…Within the Chinese paradigm, liver-qi stagnation causes women's blood to stagnate in the uterus, leading to periods of pain (Maciocia & Kaptchuk, 1998). Primary dysmenorrhea is the leading cause of recurrent short-term school absenteeism among American (Klein & Litt, 1981;McEvoy, Chang, & Coupey, 2004) and Taiwanese (Chen, 1982) adolescent girls. Jarrett, Heitkemper, and Shaver (1995) found that the most commonly reported strategy for cramping pain was the use of medication among American women with dysmenorrhea between 21 and 44 years of age.…”

Menstrual Disorders and Menstrual Hygiene Practices in Higher Secondary School Girls

“…Menstrual disorders form the commonest gynecological complaint (45-58%) among adolescents, yet are often overlooked [1,2] Though the onset of menstruation is part of the normal maturation process, variability in menstrual cycle characteristics and menstrual disorders are common. The common menstrual disorders reported in adolescents are amenorrhea, abnormal/excessive uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome which can be effectively diagnosed and treated in the adolescent population [3].…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Consequences of Menstrual Health in Urban Adolescent Females

“…3,6e8 Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to symptoms such as acne, fatigue, bloating, anger, and moodiness. 9 PMS affects between 14% and 89% of adolescents. 10,11 Scott et al reported that twice as many AfricanAmerican adolescents felt unprepared and did not receive information about menarche when compared with Caucasian teens.…”