Menstruation: symptoms, management and attitudes in university students

Abstract

The aim of the study was documentation of the attitude towards and management of menstruation in Afrikaans speaking university students. Of 130 questionnaires issued, 102 (78.5%) were analysed. Severe symptoms occurred in 23% of the women. Premenstrually, the major symptoms were irritability, moodiness, breast tenderness, skin changes and increased appetite. During menstruation, dysmenorrhea was the most important symptom. Although only 17.6% of the women consulted a physician during the 2 years preceding the study, 47.1% used medication for symptoms. Seventy-six (74.5%) of the women accepted menstruation as an integral part of a woman's life whereas 19.6% preferred not to menstruate. In this latter group, the majority reported severe symptoms. Fear of consulting a physician for menstrual symptoms was documented.