Prevalence of dysmenorrhea in young women and their coping methods

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the frequency of dysmenorrhea in young women and their coping methods. The study was conducted at 2014-2015 education year, spring semester of a university as descriptive. Total 3526 girl students consisted of the universe. Sample size table was used for sample choosing and sample size was determined as 600 participants with 0.03 sample error and p = 0.08. A questionnaire form that improved by the researcher and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used. It is determined that average age of the students was 20.58±1.73, 65.0% lived at hall of residence, 8.7% smoked and 3.5% used alcohol. Of them; average age of menarche was 13.45±1.17, 68% had 3-6 days for menstrual period, 48.5% had 28-33 days for menstrual cycle, 15.3% lived menstrual irregularity. Also, 93.3% lived dysmenorrhea, mean of severity of dysmenorrheal pain was 6.33±2.69 and 24.5% of them who lived pain applied to health institute. It is found that of the girls; 63.2% used analgesic, 67.8% had rest in bed, 63.7% applied hot for foot, 56.3% applied hot for abdomen, 26.0% applied massage to abdomen for coping with dysmenorrhea. Also, 66.4% of them stated that these methods make them relax.In the study, it is found that dysmenorrheal prevalence was high in young women and they used both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods for coping with it. It is suggested that informative education programs about complementary and holistic treatment approaches for young women.