Risk Factors of Primary Dysmenorrhea among Undergraduate Students of a Medical Institution of Nepal

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) has significant impact on life of young females. This study aimed to find various risk factors of primary dysmenorrhea and its impact on daily life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 165 female undergraduate students (age ≤24 years) of Institute of Medicine by convenience sampling method. It was a questionnaire-based study. Anthropometric measurements were taken for Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference and waist hip ratio. Results: The study showed presence of PD in 98.2% participants among whom 20.6% had mild, 32.6% had moderate and 44.8% had severe PD. Pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS) was significantly associated with severity of PD (p <0.001, OR: 3.603, CI: 1.675-7.752). However, there was no statistically significant correlation seen with early age of menarche (p = 0.932) and family history of dysmenorrhea (p value= 0.70). No association was seen between severity of PD with BMI (p = 0.720), waist circumference (p = 0.850) and waist hip ratio (p = 0.858). Severity of PD was associated with limitations in daily activity (p value<0.001, OR:6.302, CI: 2.855-13.911), behavioral changes (p =0.001, OR: 2.638, CI: 1.186-5.864) and skipping of college (p < 0.001, OR: 10.00, CI: 2.922-34.227). Conclusions: The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was very high in young females. Institutional and social support system, plans and policies to support and create easy accessibility to treatment is needed. Only then young women will be able to achieve their full potential and hence social equity will be achieved.