Survey study, 2008
How common are menstrual problems in teenage girls and how much do they affect daily life?
Very common: 67.2% had painful periods, 63.1% had PMS symptoms, and 60% had daily routines disrupted. A quarter missed work and 17.24% missed school because of symptoms.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 198 teenage girls aged 13-19 years who had started menstruating at least one year before the study. Researchers interviewed girls using a questionnaire about menstrual problems, regularity of periods, and how these problems affected their daily activities.
What they found
67.2% had dysmenorrhea (painful periods). 63.1% had PMS symptoms. 55.1% had other menstrual problems. Daily routines were affected for 60% due to prolonged bed rest, missed social activities, disturbed sleep, and decreased appetite. 25% had to miss work and 17.24% had to miss school.
What it means for you
Menstrual problems are very common in teenage girls and significantly disrupt their school attendance, work, and daily activities. The study shows that many girls get information about menstruation from mothers and friends rather than medical sources, suggesting a need for better health education and counseling.
67.2%
had dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
63.1%
had PMS symptoms
60%
had daily routine affected
About the study
- Original title
- Problems related to menstruation amongst adolescent girls
- Authors
- Sharma P, Malhotra C, Taneja DK et al.
- Journal
- Indian journal of pediatrics
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 198
- What was tested
- None - questionnaire survey
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s12098-008-0018-5
Topics
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