IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i17p6432-d408568.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Perception of Menstrual Normality and Abnormality in Spanish Female Nursing Students

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Abreu-Sánchez

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • María Laura Parra-Fernández

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

  • María Dolores Onieva-Zafra

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

  • Elia Fernández-Martínez

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

Abstract

Menstrual problems are usually taboo; and often, some, such as dysmenorrhea, are presumed normal. This study seeks to compare the menstrual characteristics and symptoms of female university students reporting self-perceived normality concerning their cycles and menstruation with those who perceive their menstruation as being abnormal. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 270 nursing students using a self-report questionnaire that included sociodemographic and gynecological issues, together with Visual Analog Scale, the Andersch and Milsom Scale, and the Spanish version of the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EuroQol-5D) to measure self-perceived health status. A bivariate analysis was performed using the chi-square test, linear trend chi-square, and Student’s t-test, and a multivariate analysis of stepwise binary logistic regression was performed to predict the perception of cycle abnormality. In total, 77.4% of participants displayed normality; however, in self-reporting of menstrual characteristics, 67.4% identified alterations. Young women suffering from menstrual dizziness were 1.997 (CI95% = 1.010–3.950; p = 0.047) more likely to manifest abnormal menstruation, 4.518 (CI95% = 1.239–16.477; p = 0.022) more likely if they suffered from Grade 3 menstrual pain, and 2.851 (CI95% = 1.399–5.809; p = 0.004) more likely if they perceived that menstruation interfered with their daily lives. Many menstrual changes and symptoms are still considered normal, making it difficult to identify and address these issues. Therefore, it is necessary to develop health policies and strategies to improve menstrual health literacy for increased knowledge and earlier diagnosis.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Abreu-Sánchez & María Laura Parra-Fernández & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & Elia Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Perception of Menstrual Normality and Abnormality in Spanish Female Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6432-:d:408568
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6432/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6432/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chen X Chen & Carol Shieh & Claire B Draucker & Janet S Carpenter, 2018. "Reasons women do not seek health care for dysmenorrhea," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1-2), pages 301-308, January.
    2. 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.
    3. Seear, Kate, 2009. "The etiquette of endometriosis: Stigmatisation, menstrual concealment and the diagnostic delay," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 1220-1227, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Supriya Garikipati & Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, 2022. "Information, Choice and Menstrual Outcomes: Evidence from a CommunityBased Intervention in Indi," Working Papers 202211, University of Liverpool, Department of Economics.
    5. Federica Facchin & Laura Buggio & Dhouha Dridi & Giussy Barbara & Paolo Vercellini, 2021. "The Subjective Experience of Dyspareunia in Women with Endometriosis: A Systematic Review with Narrative Synthesis of Qualitative Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Ya-Lin Fu & Chia-Ling Yang & Shu-Chuan Yu & Yun-Hsuan Lin & Hsiao-Pei Hsu & Chiu-Mieh Huang, 2021. "Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Menstrual Distress during Clinical Practice: A Q-Methodology Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-10, March.
    7. Hanna Grundström & Siw Alehagen & Preben Kjølhede & Carina Berterö, 2018. "The double‐edged experience of healthcare encounters among women with endometriosis: A qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1-2), pages 205-211, January.
    8. Berndt, Virginia Kuulei & Bell, Ann V., 2024. "Beyond knowledge: Introducing embodied aversion through the case of contraception," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    9. Kaifar Nuha & Kusnandi Rusmil & Ahmad Rizal Ganiem & Wiryawan Permadi & Dewi Marhaeni Diah Herawati, 2023. "Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial: Comparative Efficacy of Dark Chocolate, Coconut Water, and Ibuprofen in Managing Primary Dysmenorrhea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-11, August.
    10. 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.
    11. 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.
    12. Luigi Della Corte & Claudia Di Filippo & Olimpia Gabrielli & Sabrina Reppuccia & Valentina Lucia La Rosa & Rosalia Ragusa & Michele Fichera & Elena Commodari & Giuseppe Bifulco & Pierluigi Giampaolino, 2020. "The Burden of Endometriosis on Women’s Lifespan: A Narrative Overview on Quality of Life and Psychosocial Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-17, June.
    13. 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.
    14. Punita Bhatt & Supriya Garikipati, 2021. "Culture, Collectivism and Empowerment: The Role of Feminist Ideologies in Women’s Work and Organization," Working Papers 202108, University of Liverpool, Department of Economics.
    15. Supriya Garikipati & Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, 2021. "What’s the Bleeding Problem? Period Poverty, Information Failure and Consumer Preferences in the Global South," Working Papers 202107, University of Liverpool, Department of Economics.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6432-:d:408568. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.