Original scientific paper
Anthropological and Clinical Characteristics in Adolescent Women with Dysmenorrhea
Tomislav Strinić
Damir Buković
Ljubomir Pavelić
Josip Fajdić
Ivan Herman
Ivica Stipić
Ivan Palada
Ivana Hirš
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in female adolescents
and the influence of anthropological characteristics and lifestyle factors on
menstrual pain. Two hundred and ninety seven girls from several elementary and secondary
schools were interviewed about the presence of the menstrual pain, their age,
height and weight, menarcheal age, menstrual cycles quality, smoking and sexual activity.
There were 164 (55%) subjects with and one hundred and thirty three (45%) without
dysmenorrhea. The adolescents with dysmenorrhea answered the questions about missing
activities and taking pills for pain. No difference was observed between the girls
with and the girls without dysmenorrhea in their chronological age, height, weight, menarcheal
age, menstrual cycles quality, cigarette smoking and sexual activity. In the
group of dysmenorrheic adolescents there was infrequent missing activities and bedrest,
but missing school was observed in 22 percent and taking pills for pain was observed in
96 percent of the subjects. Young girls who experienced menstrual pain are good candidates
for a prophylactic therapy, such as hormonal contraception. A replication of this
study is needed for public health services in the future to improve the quality of life of
the dysmenorrheic young women.
Keywords
dysmenorrhea; adolescents; contraception
Hrčak ID:
28198
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2003.
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