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The Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Quality of Life Among Spanish Female University Students

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  • Elia Fernández-Martínez

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Nursing of Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La-Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • María Dolores Onieva-Zafra

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Nursing of Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La-Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • María Laura Parra-Fernández

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Nursing of Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La-Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

Abstract

(1) Background: Primary dysmenorrhea, which is characterized by menstrual pain in the absence of a pelvic pathology, is one of the main reasons for gynecological consultation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in a sample of university students, as well as their quality of life, and to examine the most common methods used for alleviating symptoms. (2) Methods: The participants comprised 305 female university students with a mean age of 20.32 ± 3.19 years who completed a self-report survey comprising sociodemographic, gynecological and lifestyle questions. EuroQol-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) was used to measure quality of life. (3) Results: In total, 76% of the sample suffered from dysmenorrhea. Among the students who did not suffer from dysmenorrhea, a significantly greater proportion participated in activities such as jogging or Pilates on a regular basis (several times per week). Concerning quality of life, patients with dysmenorrhea showed significant differences on the pain/discomfort scale and on the total score for perceived quality of life. However, this perception showed no correlation with the VAS (visual analogue scale) pain scale. Additionally, 90.5% of students with dysmenorrhea used pharmacological treatment, and 80% self-medicated. (4) Conclusions: Dysmenorrhea represents a major problem among youth today and the impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients is evident. Physical activity may alleviate symptoms of dysmenorrhea and this and other complementary treatments should be promoted within health services.

Suggested Citation

  • Elia Fernández-Martínez & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & María Laura Parra-Fernández, 2019. "The Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Quality of Life Among Spanish Female University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-12, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:5:p:713-:d:209605
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Su-Ying Tsai, 2016. "Effect of Yoga Exercise on Premenstrual Symptoms among Female Employees in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-11, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. María Laura Parra-Fernández & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Juan Diego Ramos-Pichardo & María Teresa Iglesias-López & Elia Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea among University Students in the South of Spain and Family Influence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Masumi Okamoto & Kumi Matsumura & Akiko Takahashi & Akio Kurokawa & Yuko Watanabe & Hiroto Narimatsu & Honami Yoshida, 2024. "The Association between Menstrual Symptoms and Presenteeism: A Cross-Sectional Study for Women Working in Central Tokyo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Remedios López-Liria & Lucía Torres-Álamo & Francisco A. Vega-Ramírez & Amelia V. García-Luengo & José M. Aguilar-Parra & Rubén Trigueros-Ramos & Patricia Rocamora-Pérez, 2021. "Efficacy of Physiotherapy Treatment in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Elia Fernández-Martínez & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Juan Francisco Velarde-García & María Teresa Iglesias-López & Jorge Pérez-Corrales & Domingo Palacios-Ceña, 2020. "Living with Restrictions. The Perspective of Nursing Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Elia Fernández-Martínez & Tania Fernández-Villa & Carmen Amezcua-Prieto & María Morales Suárez-Varela & Ramona Mateos-Campos & Carlos Ayán-Pérez & Antonio José Molina de la Torre & Rocío Ortíz-Moncada, 2020. "Menstrual Problems and Lifestyle among Spanish University Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-13, October.
    6. Juan Diego Ramos-Pichardo & Ángela María Ortega-Galán & María Teresa Iglesias-López & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Elia Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Why Do Some Spanish Nursing Students with Menstrual Pain Fail to Consult Healthcare Professionals?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-14, November.
    7. Katarzyna Walicka-Cupryś & Agnieszka Renata Pelc & Mirosław Pasierb & Sylwia Płonka & Agnieszka Pal & Nikola Rosowska, 2023. "Effect of Lumbar Spine Mobility and Postural Alignment on Menstrual Pain in Young Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-12, July.
    8. Elia Fernández-Martínez & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Jorge Pérez-Corrales & Javier Ruiz-Castillo & Juan Francisco Velarde-García & Domingo Palacios-Ceña, 2020. "Living with Pain and Looking for a Safe Environment: A Qualitative Study among Nursing Students with Dysmenorrhea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-15, September.
    9. Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Javier Ruiz-Castillo & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & María Laura Parra-Fernández & Elia Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Interference and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on the Life of Spanish Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.

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