Factors Affecting Dysmenorrhea of Middle School Girls

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing dysmenorrhea in middle school girls and to analyze the differences in dysmenorrhea according to personal factors of the subjects. Methods: This study was conducted from March 22 to April 2, 2010. The subjects of the study were 572 girls who attended three middle schools in Seoul and experienced dysmenorrheal. All were surveyed using the same questionnaire. Data were analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program and included descriptive statistics, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. Results: 1) The mean age of the subjects was 13.53 years, and the mean age of first menstruation (menarche) was 11.94 years. The number of days between the onset of menstrual cycles was 30.01 days. Most of the respondents had irregular menstrual cycles and menstrual periods lasting 3 to 7 days long. 2) Chief menstrual pains were lower abdominal and back pain. Subjects reported experiencing severe lower abdominal and/or back pain, most commonly on the second day of menstruation. The average score of menstrual discomfort was over 60 points (63%). The average score per 6 points of dysmenorrhea was as follows: fatigue (3.48), sensitivity (3.27), disability of movement (3.27), napping or lying down (2.98), mood swings (2.95), interference with studies (2.87). 3) Individual subject characteristics influencing the onset of dysmenorrhea were as follows: high stress levels, being in poor health, having an irregular diet, being younger and having longer menstrual periods than most other subjects. Conclusion: During puberty, girls with earlier menarche complained of physical and emotional discomfort, and irregular menstrual periods. Therefore, we need to explain overall menstrual characteristics and individual differences in the occurrence of dysmenorrhea, in health education programs.

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