Survey study, 2026
What factors are linked with period pain in teenage girls in Ethiopia?
Period pain affects about 7 in 10 teenage girls in this Ethiopian town. It is significantly linked with family history of period pain, having premenstrual syndrome, sleeping 6 hours or less per night, heavy menstrual periods, skipping breakfast, and female genital mutilation.
What they did
Researchers surveyed 562 teenage girls in Jinka Town, Ethiopia from July 30 to August 20, 2024. They used questionnaires to ask about period pain and factors like sleep, meals, family history, and menstrual flow. They analyzed the data to find what was associated with period pain.
What they found
71.5% of girls had period pain. Girls with family history had 1.81 times higher odds. Those with premenstrual syndrome had 3.13 times higher odds. Those sleeping 6 hours or less had 2.73 times higher odds. Heavy menstrual periods raised odds 3.35 times. Skipping breakfast raised odds 3.26 times. Female genital mutilation history raised odds 2.97 times.
What it means for you
Period pain is very common in this population. Several modifiable factors like sleep, meals, and heavy periods are linked with it. Getting enough sleep and eating regular meals might help. The study was done in one town in Ethiopia, so findings may differ elsewhere. It shows associations but not definite proof of cause.
71.5%
had primary dysmenorrhea
3.13
times higher odds with premenstrual syndrome
2.73
times higher odds with 6 hours or less sleep per day
About the study
- Original title
- Primary dysmenorrhea and associated factors among female adolescents in Jinka town, Southern Ethiopia, 2024
- Authors
- Wondmagegn H, Nigusu K, Bezie HE et al.
- Journal
- Scientific reports
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 562
- What was tested
- Associations between various factors (family history, premenstrual syndrome, sleep, diet, menstrual flow) and period pain
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41090-5
Topics
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