The Prevalence and Academic Impact of Dysmenorrhea in 21,573 Young Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Armour, Mike; Parry, Kelly; Manohar, Narendar; Holmes, Kathryn; Ferfolja, Tania; Curry, Christina; MacMillan, Freya; Smith, Caroline

doi:10.1089/jwh.2018.7615

Cited by 170 publications

(193 citation statements)

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“…The high rate of absenteeism identified during menstruation among female university students in this study is in line with previous reports conducted in other countries (although slightly higher), as analyzed in a systematic review and meta-analysis by Armour et al [10]. Absenteeism rates were higher when associated with greater scores on the VAS scale for dysmenorrhea, these data are in agreement with former studies conducted in the Netherlands by Schoep et al, Femi Agboola et al in Nigeria, and in Sri Lanka by Hapuarachchige et al [24][25][26].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Among the most frequent experiences or symptoms related with menstruation, we identified dysmenorrhea, bloating, irritability, and fatigue; these results are coherent with former studies [10,34,35]. Multiple previous studies already identified dysmenorrhea as being one of the most common menstrual problems among teenagers and young women, worldwide [36][37][38] and, more specifically, among Spanish university students [3].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Multiple previous studies already identified dysmenorrhea as being one of the most common menstrual problems among teenagers and young women, worldwide [36][37][38] and, more specifically, among Spanish university students [3]. However, bloating, irritability, and fatigue during menstruation have been less studied to date and are largely unexplored in the Spanish population, although a high prevalence of the same is found in the few studies available [10]. Nonetheless, the studies on dysmenorrhea should standardize the definition of this menstrual symptom.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, most previous studies are based on studying dysmenorrhea alone, while few studies have focused on analyzing other menstrual experiences in depth, such as fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, feeling depressed, sleep disorders, or irritability. Even in these cases, studies have tended to concentrate on the teenage age group [7][8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Absenteeism during Menstruation among Nursing Students in Spain

Fernández‐Martínez

Onieva-Zafra

Abreu-Sánchez

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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Absenteeism can clearly have a negative impact on academic performance among university students. Certain experiences or symptoms such as menstrual pain are very common in women and can lead to absenteeism. The current study was aimed at examining the presence of menstrual experiences or symptoms and their impact upon absenteeism among healthy (illness-free) female university nursing students in Spain. A total of 299 students participated in this research, which was a descriptive cross-sectional, observational study. An ad hoc online questionnaire was used based on sociodemographic and gynecological data, together with the noted menstrual experiences; the most prevalent of which were bloating, which affected 87.3% of students; dysmenorrhea and irritability, which affected 76.3%; and fatigue, which affected 70.6%. Students with dysmenorrhea had a 6.95 higher (odds ratio (OR) 6.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.39–14.25) odds of absenteeism; in those who reported dizziness, the odds of absenteeism was 4.82 times higher (OR 4.82; 1.76–13.23); in those who manifested nausea and vomiting, the percentage of absenteeism was 3.51 higher (OR 3.51; 95% CI 1.51–8.15); in those who presented sleep alterations, the odds were 2.95 higher (OR 2.95; 95% CI 1.39–6.25); and for those who felt depressed the odds were 2.18 times higher (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.21–3.94) Absenteeism was found to be more likely in women with dysmenorrhea. However, in addition, higher odds of absenteeism were also found in women with nausea and vomiting, dizziness, sleep disorders, and those who feel depressed. These menstrual experiences can be considered a relevant problem among young women, leading to absenteeism, and a negative influence on academic performance. It is essential to raise awareness of the socioeconomic impact of absenteeism and establish new strategies for improving menstrual experiences.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Absenteeism during Menstruation among Nursing Students in Spain

Fernández‐Martínez

Onieva-Zafra

Abreu-Sánchez

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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“…Dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain is a women’s health issue which affects a large percentage of women of university age [ 1 ]. Pain is commonly located in the pelvic region or lower abdomen and is generally chronic and recurrent, coinciding with menstruation, and can often be accompanied by other symptoms, the most frequent being irritability, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and dizziness [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interference and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on the Life of Spanish Nursing Students

Abreu-Sánchez

Ruiz‐Castillo

Onieva-Zafra

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Dysmenorrhea is a cause of absenteeism in universities which, in the context of nursing studies, may affect mandatory attendance. Moreover, presenteeism is associated with medication errors, patient falls, and a reduced quality of patient care. This study sought to identify the degree of interference of dysmenorrhea on daily life and its impact on academic performance among Spanish nursing students, and to explore the reasons for presenteeism. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 261 nursing students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The chi square tests, chi-square linear trend, Student’s t-test, one-way analysis of variance of polynomial contrasts, and post hoc tests for the bi-variate analysis were used to compare the participants’ responses regarding their type of dysmenorrhea and pain intensity. In addition, a multivariate regression was performed to predict absenteeism. The answers to the open questions were analyzed using thematic content analysis techniques. We observed 62.8% of absenteeism and 92.7% of presenteeism due to dysmenorrhea. Absenteeism was observed to be 3.079 (confidence interval (CI): 95%1.724–5.499; p < 0.001) times more likely among women with severe menstrual pain, 2.513 (CI 95%1.314–4.807; p = 0.005) times more in those suffering from menstrual nausea and 1.936 (CI 95%1.098–3.411; p = 0.022) times more frequent in those suffering from diarrhea. The reasons for presenteeism were grouped into five categories: the pain was bearable, it is not a reason to be absent, others don’t consider it a reason to be absent, responsibility and guilt, and academic consequences. Dysmenorrhea can have a significant impact on academic performance. The concern among students about the academic repercussions and even feelings of guilt and incomprehension from others leads to high rates of presenteeism with potentially negative consequences for patient care.

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Underrecognition of Dysmenorrhea Is an Iatrogenic Harm

Doleeb

McCoy

Dada

et al. 2022

AMA Journal of Ethics

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Many patients face years of recurrent and debilitating menstrual pain that affects their ability to work and study. Patients often normalize their severe pain as an expected part of menses. Both underrecognition and lack of awareness of available therapies for this remediable condition serve as a quintessential example of hermeneutic injustice. Hermeneutic injustice describes a structural lack of access to epistemic resources, such as shared concepts and knowledge. Pervasive menstrual stigma further discourages people with dysmenorrhea from discussing their symptoms and seeking health care. A lack of respect for women's experiences of pain in clinical encounters acts to worsen these issues and should be considered a source of iatrogenic harm. Health care workers can promote hermeneutic justice by preemptively destigmatizing discussions about menstruation and validating patients' concerns. On a systemic level, there should be greater awareness of dysmenorrhea and the various treatments available for it.The American Medical Association designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ available through the AMA Ed Hub TM . Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. CaseWhile taking a contraceptive history in clinic, Dr G's 55-year-old patient, JJ, remarks, "I wish I could have had an IUD when I menstruated." Dr G then uncovers a long history of JJ's painful menses with severe nausea, crippling cramps, and occasional fainting. JJ regularly missed at least a day of school or work each month."Did you see a physician when you had pain?" asks Dr G."No," said JJ. "Women didn't see physicians for that. I thought every woman had pain like me." CommentaryCountless people who menstruate have spent many days of their lives curled in bed unable to partake in their normal activities while they unnecessarily suffer from a

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The Prevalence and Academic Impact of Dysmenorrhea in 21,573 Young Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cited by 170 publications

References 50 publications

Absenteeism during Menstruation among Nursing Students in Spain

Absenteeism during Menstruation among Nursing Students in Spain

Interference and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on the Life of Spanish Nursing Students

Underrecognition of Dysmenorrhea Is an Iatrogenic Harm

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