Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea in Adolescents in France: Results of a Large
Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in adolescents and
its impact on daily living. Design: A cross-sectional,
questionnaire-based study Setting: Multicenter study in eight randomly
selected high schools in France. Population: Randomly selected
post-menarche girl pupils 15 –19 years Methods: Each girl was asked to
complete a 50-item questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures: Dysmenorrhea
severity was assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Verbal
Multidimensional Scoring System Scale (VMSS). Results: Questionnaires
from 953 girls were analyzed (mean age: 16.9 years). The prevalence of
dysmenorrhea was 92.9 % with 8.9 % describing their pain as severe.
Impact on quality of life was significant: 43.3% of the girls reported
school absences because of dysmenorrhea, 74.9% difficulties in
attending classes and 77.2% difficulties in sports activities. Risk
factors of severe dysmenorrhea (VMSS grade 3) in multivariate analysis
were heavy menstrual bleeding (OR 2.02, 95%CI [1.12 ; 3.63]
p=0.0192), early menarche (OR 0.68, 95%CI [0.57 ; 0.81]
p<0.0001), chronic pelvic pain (OR 2.60, 95%CI [1.10 ;
6.11] p=0.0274), BMI (BMI<18, OR 1.94, 95%CI [1.03 ;
3.66] p=0.0335). Of the 50.4% who had consulted a physician, 45.4%
had seen a general practitioner. Among the girls who had not consulted a
physician, 55.1% reported that menstruation was a “woman’s burden”.
Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent in adolescents in France
and has a real impact on daily life activities. As such, it should be
treated as a public health problem with educational and information
campaigns targeting the girls themselves, their families and healthcare
professionals.