Experience of dysmenorrhea among a group of physical therapy students from Cairo University: an exploratory study

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Experience of dysmenorrhea among a group of physical therapy students from Cairo University: an exploratory study

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Author(s): Dalia M Kamel ¹ ^, ² , Sayed A Tantawy ² ^, ³ , Gehan A Abdelsamea ¹

Publication date (Electronic): 09 May 2017

Journal: Journal of Pain Research

Publisher: Dove Medical Press

Keywords: dysmenorrhea, prevalence, treatment, physical impact, menstrual cycle

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Abstract

Introduction

Dysmenorrhea is a condition describing the painful cramps that women feel before or during the menstrual period. While dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic complaint affecting adolescent and young women and there has been significant progress in understanding its pathophysiology and managing the symptoms, many young women do not seek medical consultation and remain untreated.

Aim of the study

The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, its physical impact, and associated coping behaviors among university students.

Methods

A total of 269 female college students volunteered to participate in the study. Data regarding the students’ experience with dysmenorrhea were collected via self-reported questionnaire developed based on relevant literature. Pain was scored on visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

Most respondents (84.01%) reported feeling pain in the abdomen and back (VAS score, 5.00). Mood swings (84.8%) and dizziness (48.2%) were, respectively, the most common affective and somatic symptoms related to menstruation. There was a significant difference in the amount of menstrual flow ( p=0.004) and incidence of dysmenorrhea ( p=0.03) according to menstrual regularity. Most students (91.2%) did not seek medical consultation for dysmenorrhea, and 62.4% used analgesics. However, no significant correlation ( p=0.25) was found between analgesic intake and pain relief. While most students (90.7%) did not miss exams, 48.7% reported poor satisfaction with their academic performance because of dysmenorrhea.

Conclusion

Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among college students, with many physical impacts and associated activity limitations. Collaborative efforts from health care providers, program coordinators, and parents should focus on increasing awareness and improving management strategies to treat dysmenorrhea.

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Most cited references 40

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Primary dysmenorrhea: advances in pathogenesis and management.

Reham M Dawood (2006)

Primary dysmenorrhea is painful menstrual cramps without any evident pathology to account for them, and it occurs in up to 50% of menstruating females and causes significant disruption in quality of life and absenteeism. Current understanding implicates an excessive or imbalanced amount of prostanoids and possibly eicosanoids released from the endometrium during menstruation. The uterus is induced to contract frequently and dysrhythmically, with increased basal tone and increased active pressure. Uterine hypercontractility, reduced uterine blood flow, and increased peripheral nerve hypersensitivity induce pain. Diagnosis rests on a good history with negative pelvic evaluation findings. Evidence-based data support the efficacy of cyclooxygenase inhibitors, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen, and estrogen-progestin oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Cyclooxygenase inhibitors reduce the amount of menstrual prostanoids released, with concomitant reduction in uterine hypercontractility, while OCPs inhibit endometrial development and decrease menstrual prostanoids. An algorithm is provided for a simple approach to the management of primary dysmenorrhea.

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Prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhea on Hispanic female adolescents.

S Kelder, C Banikarim, Aron Chacko (2000)

Dysmenorrhea is the leading cause of short-term school absenteeism. It is associated with a negative impact on social, academic, and sports activities of many female adolescents. Dysmenorrhea has not previously been described among Hispanic adolescents, the fastest growing minority group in the United States. To determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among Hispanic female adolescents; its impact on academic performance, school attendance, and sports and social activities; and its management. A total of 706 Hispanic female adolescents, in grades 9 through 12, completed a 31-item questionnaire about the presence, duration, severity, treatment, and limitations of dysmenorrhea at a local urban high school. Among participants who had had a period in the previous 3 months, 85% reported dysmenorrhea. Of these, 38% reported missing school due to dysmenorrhea during the 3 months prior to the survey and 33% reported missing individual classes. Activities affected by dysmenorrhea included class concentration (59%), sports (51%), class participation (50%), socialization (46%), homework (35%), test-taking skills (36%), and grades (29%). Treatments taken for dysmenorrhea included rest (58%), medications (52%), heating pad (26%), tea (20%), exercise (15%), and herbs (7%). Fourteen percent consulted a physician and 49% saw a school nurse for help with their symptoms. Menstrual pain was significantly associated with school absenteeism and decreased academic performance, sports participation, and socialization with peers (P<.01). Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among Hispanic adolescents and is related to school absenteeism and limitations on social, academic, and sports activities. Given that most adolescents do not seek medical advice for dysmenorrhea, health care providers should screen routinely for dysmenorrhea and offer treatment. As dysmenorrhea reportedly affects school performance and attendance, school administrators may have a vested interest in providing health education on this topic to their students. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000;154:1226-1229.

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Prevalence of menstrual pain in young women: what is dysmenorrhea?

Giovanni Grandi, Serena Ferrari, Anjeza Xholli … (2012)

Objectives This study aimed to determine the frequency of dysmenorrhea, as identified by different definitions, in a population of young women, and to investigate factors associated with this complaint. Materials and methods A final group of 408 young women completed a self-assessment questionnaire. This was a cross-sectional analytical study. Results Menstrual pain was reported by 84.1% of women, with 43.1% reporting that pain occurred during every period, and 41% reporting that pain occurred during some periods. Women with menstrual pain had an earlier menarche (P = 0.0002) and a longer menstrual flow (P = 0.006), and this group was characterized as having a higher prevalence of smokers (P = 0.031) and a lower prevalence of hormonal contraception users (P = 0.015). Pain intensity was correlated (r = 0.302, P < 0.0001) positively with menstrual flow length (CR = 0.336), history of abortions (CR = 3.640), and gynecological pathologies (CR = 0.948), and negatively with age at menarche (CR = −0.225), use of hormonal contraception (CR = −0.787), and history of gynecological surgery (CR = −2.115). Considering the parameters of menstrual pain, a need for medication, and inability to function normally (absenteeism from study or social activities) alone or together, the prevalence of dysmenorrhea is 84.1% when considering only menstrual pain, 55.2% when considering the association between menstrual pain and need for medication, 31.9% when considering the association between menstrual pain and absenteeism, and 25.3% when considering the association between menstrual pain, need for medication, and absenteeism (P < 0.0001). The probability of having more severe dysmenorrhea is directly related to pain intensity as measured by a visual analog scale, but does not coincide with it. Conclusion Menstrual pain is a very common problem, but the need for medication and the inability to function normally occurs less frequently. Nevertheless, at least one in four women experiences distressing menstrual pain characterized by a need for medication and absenteeism from study or social activities.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): J Pain Res

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): J Pain Res

Journal ID (publisher-id): Journal of Pain Research

Title: Journal of Pain Research

Publisher: Dove Medical Press

ISSN (Electronic): 1178-7090

Publication date Collection: 2017

Publication date (Electronic): 09 May 2017

Volume: 10

Pages: 1079-1085

Affiliations

[1 ]Department of Physical Therapy for Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

[2 ]Physiotherapy Department, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Ahlia University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

[3 ]Department of Physiotherapy, Centre of Radiation, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

Author notes

Correspondence: Dalia M Kamel, Department of Physical Therapy for Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12612, Giza, Egypt, Tel +202 3748 2979, Fax +202 3761 7692, Email dr_daliakamel@ 123456yahoo.com

Article

Publisher ID: jpr-10-1079

DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S132544

PMC ID: 5431709

PubMed ID: 28533696

SO-VID: cd8f1a95-439f-4fdb-9218-ccf3900a7a67

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Experience of dysmenorrhea among a group of physical therapy students from Cairo University: an exploratory study

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Abstract

Introduction

Aim of the study

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Video abstract

Most cited references 40

Primary dysmenorrhea: advances in pathogenesis and management.

Prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhea on Hispanic female adolescents.

Prevalence of menstrual pain in young women: what is dysmenorrhea?

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