Determination of Dysmenorrhea and Associated Factors in Women in Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Menstrual disorders are very common in women, with rates as high as 75%, and dysmenorrhea is the most commonly reported menstruation-related disorder. Dysmenorrhea is defined as a painful, cramping sensation in the lower abdomen, often accompanied by headache, nausea, vomiting and sweating. Studies on primary dysmenorrhea and its severity have investigated the effects of various demographic, physical, lifestyle and psychosocial factors. However, there is a need for a study that examines these factors together and comprehensively, especially in the Turkish population. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea in Turkish women. The study was a cross-sectional study conducted between May 2021 and December 2021. The study included 760 literate, reproductive-age women over 18 years of age. Personal Information Form and Beck Anxiety Scale were used to collect data. When the socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics of the participants were compared, it was found that family history of menstrual pain (p=<.001) and alcohol use (p=.027) were associated with increased menstrual pain. Duration of menstruation (p=.026), duration of pain during menstruation (p=.005) and giving birth (p=.024) were associated with pain intensity. As the duration of menstruation increased, the severity of pain increased in those who stated that they experienced pain during menstruation and in those who did not give birth. When the severity of menstrual pain and anxiety levels of the participants were compared, it was determined that the severity of menstrual pain increased as the anxiety level increased (p=.026). Family history, alcohol use, duration of menstruation, giving birth and anxiety level were determined as risk factors for pain intensity in primary dysmenorrhea. © 2024, Inonu University. All rights reserved.