Dysmenorrhea: Prevalence and Impact on Quality of Life among Young Adult Jordanian Females

Abstract

Study objective: To establish the prevalence and impact on quality of life of dysmenorrhea among young adult Jordanian females.

Design: Cross-sectional study based on quantitative self-reported anonymous questionnaire.

Setting: University-based study.

Participants: A total of 272 female medical students (aged 19-25 years).

Intervention: None.

Main outcome measures: Self-reports of menstruation-related pain symptoms and methods of dealing with them.

Results: Of study subjects 152/272 (55.8%) participants had moderate and severe dysmenorrhea. Of them, 55.8% had a family history of severe dysmenorrhea compared with 33.1% of those without dysmenorrhea (χ2 = 13.40, df = 1, P < .001). There was strong association between severity of dysmenorrhea and poor university attendance (χ(2) = 45.35, df = 2, P < .001), poor social activities (χ2 = 32.06, df = 2, P < .001), poor relationships with family (χ2 = 18.46, df = 2, P < .001) and friends (χ2 = 19.14, df = 2, P < .001), and poor sport activities (χ2 = 12.15, df = 2, P = .002). Dysmenorrhea worsens during examination periods in 50% of cases. The most common pain symptom was low back pain (60.2%). Body mass index, family monthly income and early age at menarche had no correlation with the occurrence of dysmenorrhea. Of those with dysmenorrhea, 69.4% were using analgesics. Mothers were the main source of information regarding menstruation.

Conclusions: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among young adult Jordanian females and seems to negatively affect quality of life, particularly as related to university attendance and performance and social relationships.

Keywords: Dysmenorrhea; Menstruation; Quality of life; School absence; Young adult females.