Survey study, 2006
What menstrual problems do adolescent girls experience?
Most adolescent girls in Malaysia experience premenstrual syndrome (74.6 percent) or painful periods (69.4 percent). More than one-third have irregular cycle lengths, but few seek medical care.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 2,411 secondary school girls in Malaysia using self-administered questionnaires in Bahasa Malaysia about menstrual characteristics, problems, and related factors.
What they found
37.2 percent had abnormal cycle length. 74.6 percent experienced premenstrual syndrome. 69.4 percent had dysmenorrhoea (period pain). 18 percent reported excessive menstrual bleeding. Only 11.1 percent sought medical consultation. Mothers were the main information source (80 percent). Menstrual disorders were significantly more common in smokers and those with suicidal behaviors (p less than 0.05).
What it means for you
Menstrual problems are extremely common in adolescent girls but most don't get medical help. Smoking and suicidal behavior are associated with worse symptoms. Results are from Malaysia only and may not apply globally.
2411
girls surveyed
74.6%
experienced premenstrual syndrome
69.4%
had period pain
About the study
- Original title
- Menstruation among adolescent girls in Malaysia: a cross-sectional school survey
- Authors
- Lee LK, Chen PC, Lee KK et al.
- Journal
- Singapore medical journal
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 2,411
- What was tested
- None (observational survey)
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16990962/
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2025
How much do period problems like painful periods and PMS affect college girls' daily lives?
Survey study, 2023
How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms?
Survey study, 2019
What factors affect PMS severity in teenage girls?
Systematic review, 2025
Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?
Survey study, 2025
What psychological and personal factors predict which university students will develop premenstrual syndrome?
Survey study, 2024
How much do Indonesian 9th graders know about PMS and what are their attitudes?