INTRODUCTION: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent during adolescence but the incidence of this disease is very often underestimated. Depending on different measurement methods 20-90% of adolescent girls report dysmenorrhea. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among high-school female adolescent students in Eastern-Hungary. Early diagnosis and treatment of the possible pathological background is very important to prevent long term consequences. RESULTS: 2337 girls were interviewed in this study about their menstrual cycle. The overall prevalence of dysmenorrhea in this population was 79.2%. Altogether 67.0% described their pain and cramp as severe. 61.2% of the girls use some kind of medication due to dysmenorrhea. Despite these data only 1.2% of them had previous medical counseling because of their complains. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to screen female adolescents for dysmenorrhea and provide them with information on the disease and possible treatment options. Follow up of these adolescents is mandatory especially in cases not responding to standard medical treatment.
INTRODUCTION:Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent during adolescence but the incidence of this disease is very often underestimated. Depending on different measurement methods 20-90% of adolescent girls report dysmenorrhea. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among high-school female adolescent students in Eastern-Hungary. Early diagnosis and treatment of the possible pathological background is very important to prevent long term consequences. RESULTS: 2337 girls were interviewed in this study about their menstrual cycle. The overall prevalence of dysmenorrhea in this population was 79.2%. Altogether 67.0% described their pain and cramp as severe. 61.2% of the girls use some kind of medication due to dysmenorrhea. Despite these data only 1.2% of them had previous medical counseling because of their complains. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to screen female adolescents for dysmenorrhea and provide them with information on the disease and possible treatment options. Follow up of these adolescents is mandatory especially in cases not responding to standard medical treatment.