Dysmenorrhea: Prevalence and Impact on Quality of Life among Young Adult Jordanian Females

Study Objective: To establish the prevalence and impact on quality of life of dysmenorrhea among young adult Jordanian females. Design: Cross-sectional study based on quantitative self-reported anonymous questionnaire. Setting: University-based study. Participants: A total of 272 female medical students (aged 19-25years). Intervention: None. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reports of menstruation-related pain symptoms and methods of dealing with them. Results: Of study subjects 152/272 (55.8%) participants had moderate and severe dysmenorrhea. Of them, 55.8% had a family history of severe dysmenorrhea compared with 33.1% of those without dysmenorrhea (χ²=13.40, df=1, P<.001). There was strong association between severity of dysmenorrhea and poor university attendance (χ²=45.35, df=2, P<.001), poor social activities (χ²=32.06, df=2, P<.001), poor relationships with family (χ²=18.46, df=2, P<.001) and friends (χ²=19.14, df=2, P<.001), and poor sport activities (χ²=12.15, df=2, P=.002). Dysmenorrhea worsens during examination periods in 50% of cases. The most common pain symptom was low back pain (60.2%). Body mass index, family monthly income and early age at menarche had no correlation with the occurrence of dysmenorrhea. Of those with dysmenorrhea, 69.4% were using analgesics. Mothers were the main source of information regarding menstruation. Conclusions: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among young adult Jordanian females and seems to negatively affect quality of life, particularly as related to university attendance and performance and social relationships.