Menstrual characteristics and prevalence of dysmenorrhea in college going girls

TLDR

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition characterized by painful uterine cramps. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea among young college girls in central India and to assess associated clinical markers. A cross‑sectional survey of 310 girls aged 18–25 collected menstrual history, pain severity via visual analogue scale, and clinical factors through a semi‑structured questionnaire. Dysmenorrhea was reported by 84.2% of participants, with 34.2% experiencing severe pain; bleeding duration >5 days, presence of clots, and family history were significant risk factors, raising odds by 1.9, 2.07, and 3.0 respectively.

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition with painful menstrual cramps of uterine origin. Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea is not yet clearly studied in central India.To study prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea in young girls and to evaluate associated clinical markers of dysmenorrhea.In a cross-sectional study, data was collected among 310 girls (18-25 years) on age at menarche, presence and absence of dysmenorrhea, dysmenorrhea duration, pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS), family history, menses irregularities, menstrual history, severity grading using visual analogue scale (VAS) using a semi-structured questionnaire.Dysmenorrhea was reported in 84.2% (261) girls and 15.8% (49) reported no dysmenorrhea. Using VAS, 34.2% of girls experienced severe pain, 36.6% moderate and 29.2% had mild pain. Bleeding duration was found to be significantly associated with dysmenorrhea (χ(2) = 10.5; P < 0.05), girls with bleeding duration more than 5 days had 1.9 times more chance of getting dysmenorrhea (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.7-3). Moreover, girls with the presence of clots had 2.07 times higher chance of having dysmenorrhea (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.04-4.1) (P < 0.05). Almost 53.7% girls who had some family history of dysmenorrhea, 90.9% experience the condition themselves (χ(2) = 11.5; P < 0.001). Girls with family history of dysmenorrhea had three times greater chance of having the same problem (OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.5-5.8; P = 0.001).Dysmenorrhea is found to be highly prevalent among college going girls. Family history, bleeding duration and presence of clots were significant risk factors for dysmenorrhea.