Survey study, 1991
What period symptoms do university students have, and how do they manage them?
Most students had some premenstrual and period symptoms, and about 23% described them as severe, but most did not see a doctor about it.
What they did
A questionnaire about menstruation attitudes and symptom management was given to Afrikaans speaking university students. Of 130 questionnaires handed out, 102 were analysed.
What they found
23% of the women had severe symptoms. Before their period, the main symptoms were irritability, moodiness, breast tenderness, skin changes and increased appetite. During their period, painful periods (dysmenorrhea) was the main symptom. Only 17.6% had seen a doctor about this in the past 2 years, but 47.1% used medication for symptoms. Seventy-six women (74.5%) accepted menstruation as a normal part of being a woman, while 19.6% said they would prefer not to menstruate, and most of this group had severe symptoms. Many women were afraid to consult a doctor about menstrual symptoms.
What it means for you
Premenstrual and period symptoms were common in this group of students, and many treated themselves rather than seeing a doctor, sometimes because they were afraid to ask. The study only looked at one group of students in one country, and there was no comparison group.
23%
Women with severe symptoms
47.1%
Used medication for symptoms
19.6%
Preferred not to menstruate
About the study
- Original title
- Menstruation: symptoms, management and attitudes in university students
- Authors
- Cronjé HS, Kritzinger IE
- Journal
- International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None (questionnaire study of symptoms and attitudes, no treatment tested)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(91)90818-p
Topics
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