Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea, Associated Factors and its Pain Intensity among Female Students

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue I, January 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea, Associated Factors and its Pain Intensity among Female Students

Fazila¹, Dua Rehmatullah¹, Samreen Yasmeen¹, Farhan Ishaque^1*, Saba Mughal¹, Abid Kamal^2
1Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
²College of Physiotherapy Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, JPMC Karachi
*Corresponding Author

Abstract:
Background: Dysmenorrhea is broadly defined as pain during menstruation nearly frequent symptoms is lower abdominal cramps, back pain, nausea, headache and depression. Dysmenorrhea is categorized into two subtypes that are Primary Dysmenorrhea and Secondary Dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is most commonly found in adolescent and young adult group with no underlying pelvic pathology. Symptoms usually subside within three days of menstrual cycle. Affected Females extremely restrict their physical activities in these days. Dysmenorrhea induces negative impact on quality of life of affected females. This may have now the major reason behind absentees of female students in academics and working women in their work places.
Objective The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of primary dysmenorrhea in sample of under graduated female students of Dow University of Health Sciences and evaluate pain intensity with its associated factors that provoke dysmenorrhea.
Materials and Methods: The Frequency of primary dysmenorrhea was 92% (n=381) out of total respondents (n=414) participated in this study. The pain score of dysmenorrhea categorized in varying intensities, 5.6% of the participants were experiencing no pain, 14.0 % of the total participants were experiencing mild pain, and 61% moderate pain and 18.6% were having severe pain. According to Dysmenorrhea Severity Scale (VMSS) scores 8 % of the participant reported no pain, 33.6 % individuals complained of having mild pain, while, 41.8 % and 16.7 % of the recruits reported moderate and severe pain. Dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with daily life style habits consumption of Coke (p = 0.040) and Coffee (P = 0.022), further significant association were between dysmenorrhea and moderate to severe pattern of menstrual flow (p = <0.001). Those with Regular menstrual cycle having dysmenorrhea 90% (n=271) whereas, 113 female participants of irregular menstrual cycle were mentioned out of these 97.3% (n=110) reported dysmenorrhea.
Results: The Frequency of primary dysmenorrhea was 92% (n=381) out of total respondents (n=414) participated in this study. The pain score of dysmenorrhea categorized in varying intensities, 5.6% of the participants were experiencing no pain, 14.0 % of the total participants were experiencing mild pain, and 61% moderate pain and 18.6% were having severe pain. According to Dysmenorrhea Severity Scale (VMSS) scores 8 % of the participant reported no pain, 33.6 % individuals complained of having mild pain, while, 41.8 % and 16.7 % of the recruits reported moderate and severe pain. Dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with daily life style habits consumption of Coke (p = 0.040) and Coffee (P = 0.022), further significant association were between dysmenorrhea and moderate to severe pattern of menstrual flow (p = <0.001). Those with Regular menstrual cycle having dysmenorrhea 90% (n=271) whereas, 113 female participants of irregular menstrual cycle were mentioned out of these 97.3% (n=110) reported dysmenorrhea.
Conclusion: There is high a proportion of primary dysmenorrhea among female medical students of Dow University of Health and Sciences. Excessive consumption of coke and coffee in daily routine intake were the associated factors that provoked dysmenorrhea. , where as moderate to severe menstrual flow and irregular menstrual cycle were seen as dominant predictors that significantly contributed to the intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Promote awareness regarding factors that might influence the occurrence of primary dysmenorrhea in early adult age-group females.

Keywords: Dysmenorrhea, Primary Dysmenorrhea Secondary Dysmenorrhea, Cramps, Pre-menstrual Syndrome, VAS, Menarche, student.

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