The Prevalence and Educational Impact of Pelvic and Menstrual Pain in Australia: A National Online Survey of 4202 Young Women Aged 13-25 Years

Mike Armour; Tania Ferfolja; Christina Curry; Mikayla S Hyman; Kelly Parry; K Jane Chalmers; Caroline A Smith; Freya MacMillan; Kathryn Holmes

doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2020.06.007

The Prevalence and Educational Impact of Pelvic and Menstrual Pain in Australia: A National Online Survey of 4202 Young Women Aged 13-25 Years

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2020 Oct;33(5):511-518. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.06.007. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Authors

Mike Armour¹, Tania Ferfolja², Christina Curry², Mikayla S Hyman³, Kelly Parry⁴, K Jane Chalmers⁵, Caroline A Smith⁶, Freya MacMillan⁷, Kathryn Holmes²

Affiliations

¹ NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: m.armour@westernsydney.edu.au.
² Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
³ NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, USA.
⁴ NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
⁵ School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; IIMPACT in Health, University of South Australia, SA, Australia.
⁶ NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 32544516
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.06.007

Abstract

Study objective: To explore the prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain and menstrual symptoms on young women at school or in tertiary education.

Design and setting: Cross-sectional online survey in Australia.

Participants: A total of 4202 adolescent and young women (13-25 years of age; median age 17 years), having reached menarche, living in Australia and currently attending school (n = 2421) or tertiary education (n = 1781).

Interventions: Online survey hosted by Qualtrics between November 2017 to January 2018. Data were collected on sociodemographic data, menstrual cycle characteristics, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and educational and social impact.

Main outcome measures: Information on menstrual and pelvic pain impact, academic absenteeism and presenteeism, impact on non-academic activities and interactions with teaching staff.

Results and conclusions: Dysmenorrhea was reported by 92% of respondents. Dysmenorrhea was moderate (median 6.0 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale) and pain severity stayed relatively constant with age [r_s(3804) = 0.012, P = .477]. Noncyclical pelvic pain at least once a month was reported by 55%. Both absenteeism and presenteeism related to menstruation were common. Just under half of women reported missing at least one class/lecture in the previous three menstrual cycles. The majority of young women at school (77%) and in tertiary education (70%) reported problems with classroom concentration during menstruation. Higher menstrual pain scores were strongly correlated with increased absenteeism and reduced classroom performance at both school and in tertiary education. Despite the negative impact on academic performance the majority of young women at school (60%) or tertiary education (83%) would not speak to teaching staff about menstruation.

Keywords: Absenteeism; Dysmenorrhea; Education; Pelvic pain; Presenteeism.

MeSH terms

Absenteeism
Adolescent
Adolescent Health / statistics & numerical data
Adult
Australia / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dysmenorrhea / epidemiology*
Educational Status*
Female
Humans
Prevalence
Severity of Illness Index
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult