Prevalence Of Dysmenorrhea And Factors Associated With Its Intensity And Duration Among Female Students

Abstract

Introduction: The most typical gynecological issue affecting women is dysmenorrhea, which is characterized by lower abdominal cramping that happens either before or during menstruation. Nearly half of women who experience dysmenorrhea skip work or school at least once each cycle. In the north-eastern region of India, the prevalence of dysmenorrhea has not yet been thoroughly examined. Dysmenorrhea affects 16.8 to 81% of women, according to the WHO.

Aims/Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and the factors asssicated with it among female students. We also looked for correlations between the intensity and duration of the menstrual period and its association with socio-demographic data and menstrual characteristics.

Methods and Materials: In 2022, 202 healthy females between the ages of 18 and 26 who were selected through purposive sampling technique from the female hostel, Sikkim, for the study. To gather pertinent information, standardized self-reporting questionnaires were used. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (VAS) was used to measure the severity of the pain and a five-point menstrual symptoms scale was used to measure the duration of the symptoms. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data.

Results: The findings indicated that dysmenorrhea was 77% prevalent. Additionally, it was discovered that there were more students with dysmenorrhea in the 18–23 year age group than in any other, but this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) across all age groups. Back pain and abdominal pain both showed a significant positive connection between pain severity and the length of menstrual symptoms (P <0.001 and P <0.05, respectively). Both the age at which dysmenorrhea first appeared (P< 0.001) and the use of anti-dysmenorrhea medication (P< 0.001) were associated to the condition.

Conclusion: Female students in the research area had a significant prevalence of dysmenorrhea. Younger age, prolonged menstrual flow, age of onset of dysmenorrhea, and usage of painkillers were associated with dysmenorrhea.