Mike Armour1, Tania Ferfolja2, Christina Curry2, Mikayla S Hyman3, Kelly Parry4, K Jane Chalmers5, Caroline A Smith6, Freya MacMillan7, Kathryn Holmes2. 1. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: m.armour@westernsydney.edu.au. 2. Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia. 3. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, USA. 4. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia. 5. School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; IIMPACT in Health, University of South Australia, SA, Australia. 6. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia. 7. Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia; School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain and menstrual symptoms on young women at school or in tertiary education. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional online survey in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4202 adolescent and young women (13-25 years of age; median age 17 years), having reached menarche, living in Australia and currently attending school (n = 2421) or tertiary education (n = 1781). INTERVENTIONS: Online survey hosted by Qualtrics between November 2017 to January 2018. Data were collected on sociodemographic data, menstrual cycle characteristics, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and educational and social impact. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Information on menstrual and pelvic pain impact, academic absenteeism and presenteeism, impact on non-academic activities and interactions with teaching staff. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Dysmenorrhea was reported by 92% of respondents. Dysmenorrhea was moderate (median 6.0 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale) and pain severity stayed relatively constant with age [rs(3804) = 0.012, P = .477]. Noncyclical pelvic pain at least once a month was reported by 55%. Both absenteeism and presenteeism related to menstruation were common. Just under half of women reported missing at least one class/lecture in the previous three menstrual cycles. The majority of young women at school (77%) and in tertiary education (70%) reported problems with classroom concentration during menstruation. Higher menstrual pain scores were strongly correlated with increased absenteeism and reduced classroom performance at both school and in tertiary education. Despite the negative impact on academic performance the majority of young women at school (60%) or tertiary education (83%) would not speak to teaching staff about menstruation.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain and menstrual symptoms on young women at school or in tertiary education. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional online survey in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4202 adolescent and young women (13-25 years of age; median age 17 years), having reached menarche, living in Australia and currently attending school (n = 2421) or tertiary education (n = 1781). INTERVENTIONS: Online survey hosted by Qualtrics between November 2017 to January 2018. Data were collected on sociodemographic data, menstrual cycle characteristics, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and educational and social impact. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Information on menstrual and pelvic pain impact, academic absenteeism and presenteeism, impact on non-academic activities and interactions with teaching staff. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:Dysmenorrhea was reported by 92% of respondents. Dysmenorrhea was moderate (median 6.0 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale) and pain severity stayed relatively constant with age [rs(3804) = 0.012, P = .477]. Noncyclical pelvic pain at least once a month was reported by 55%. Both absenteeism and presenteeism related to menstruation were common. Just under half of women reported missing at least one class/lecture in the previous three menstrual cycles. The majority of young women at school (77%) and in tertiary education (70%) reported problems with classroom concentration during menstruation. Higher menstrual pain scores were strongly correlated with increased absenteeism and reduced classroom performance at both school and in tertiary education. Despite the negative impact on academic performance the majority of young women at school (60%) or tertiary education (83%) would not speak to teaching staff about menstruation.
Authors: Kathryn Holmes; Christina Curry; Tania Ferfolja; Kelly Parry; Caroline Smith; Mikayla Hyman; Mike Armour Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-25 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Justin Sinclair; Susanne Armour; Jones Asafo Akowuah; Andrew Proudfoot; Mike Armour Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-29 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Jordan Tewhaiti-Smith; Alex Semprini; Deborah Bush; Augustus Anderson; Allie Eathorne; Neil Johnson; Jane Girling; Michael East; Joy Marriott; Mike Armour Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2022-03-15 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Astha Malik; Justin Sinclair; Cecilia H M Ng; Caroline A Smith; Jason Abbott; Mike Armour Journal: BMC Womens Health Date: 2022-02-11 Impact factor: 2.809
Authors: Mike Armour; Jodie Avery; Mathew Leonardi; Leesa Van Niekerk; Marilla L Druitt; Melissa A Parker; Jane E Girling; Brett McKinnon; Antonina Mikocka-Walus; Cecilia H M Ng; Rebecca O'Hara; Donna Ciccia; Katherine Stanley; Subhadra Evans Journal: Reprod Fertil Date: 2022-06-30
Authors: Nicola Tempest; C J Hill; A Whelan; A De Silva; A J Drakeley; M M Phelan; D K Hapangama Journal: Reprod Sci Date: 2021-09-15 Impact factor: 3.060