Dysmenorrhea is a form of chronic pain associated with menstruation that affects a high percentage of young people. This study sought to determine the prevalence of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea among female nursing students in southern Spain and to compare their menstrual characteristics and symptoms. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a self-report questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables, menstrual characteristics and related symptoms. Descriptive bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were performed in which the dependent variable was secondary dysmenorrhea. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 73.8% (of which 63.3% had primary dysmenorrhea and 10.5% had secondary dysmenorrhea), and was more likely in women with longer periods, heavier bleeding and those not using oral hormonal contraception (OCP). Secondary dysmenorrhea was 31.75, (confidence interval (CI)95% = 4.44-238.59; p < 0.01) times more likely among those with menstrual headache, 8.37 (CI95% = 2.35-19.80; p < 0.01), times greater among those suffering nausea during menstruation, 6.60 (CI95% = 1.42-30.67; p < 0.01), times greater among those suffering from menstrual vomiting, it was also 1.17 (CI95% = 1.08-1.26; p < 0.01) times more likely for each day that the period was prolonged and 6.63 (CI95% = 1.47-30.01; p = 0.014) times more likely in women with a heavy menstrual flow. These findings may help guide professionals towards the prescription of additional tests in certain cases in which secondary dysmenorrhea is suspected.
Keywords: dysmenorrhea; menstrual pain; symptom.