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

Study ObjectiveTo establish the prevalence and impact on quality of life of dysmenorrhea among young adult Jordanian females.DesignCross-sectional study based on quantitative self-reported anonymous questionnaire.SettingUniversity-based study.ParticipantsA total of 272 female medical students (aged 19-25 years).InterventionNone.Main Outcome MeasuresSelf-reports of menstruation-related pain symptoms and methods of dealing with them.ResultsOf 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 (χ2 = 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.ConclusionsDysmenorrhea 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.