Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition with painful cramps of uterine origin. Severe dysmenorrhea pain is associated with restriction of activity and absence from workplace. The impact of dysmenorrhea on quality of life has been enunciated rarely, especially in Indian context.
Objectives: To study the effect of primary dysmenorrhea on physical and social health status, work-related absenteeism, and work productivity in the young college-going girls.
Material and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, data were collected among 310 young girls (1825 years) on age at menarche, presence and absence of dysmenorrhea, premenstrual symptoms (PMS), quality of life, physical activity, and dietary habits using semi-structured questionnaire.
Results: Dysmenorrhea was reported in 84.2% (261) of girls, and 15.8% (49) reported no dysmenorrhea. Majority of girls (91%) have reported PMS; symptoms were irritability (42.9%), leg cramps (40.4%), abdominal pain (40.1%), emotional instability (29.8%), fatigue (23.4%), dizziness (17.7%), breast pain (16.3%), and anxiety (10.3%). Girls who had dysmenorrhea were 4.9 times more likely to be absent in college, 3.1 times more chance of reduced physical activity, 3.2 times more chance of loss of concentration during workplace, and 2.4 times more likely to have poor work satisfaction compared with other girls with no dysmenorrhea (p < 0.05). Meal skipping was significantly associated with dysmenorrhea, and thus increases the prevalence of dysmenorrhea by 2.0 times (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is a leading cause of absenteeism in colleges and has adverse effects on the quality of life of young girls.
Key words: Dysmenorrhea, young girls, quality of life
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