MENSTRUAL PATTERNS IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Background: Menstrual abnormalities like Oligomenorrhea, Menorrhagia, and Dysmenorrhea are more common among adolescents. With respect to adolescent girls, menstrual disorders may result in loss of school days leading to poor progress in education. The present study therefore aims to determine the pattern of menstruation among school adolescent girls and explore its variation across socio-economic and demographic factors. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among school adolescent girls between age group of 12-16 years at a social welfare hostel, A-Camp, Kurnool. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire on menstruation. Results: The mean age of the group is 13.87 years (standard deviation 0.72 years). The mean age at menarche is 12.69 years (standard deviation 0.82 years). Out of the total study population, 83 (70.9%) had a cycle length between 21 and 35 days and 34 (29.1%) had cycle length longer than 35 days. Out of the total study population, 41 (35.04%) had menstrual flow duration shorter than 3 days, 70 (59.82%) had menstrual flow duration between 3 and 7 days, 6 (0.05%) had menstrual flow duration greater than 7 days. Majority of the study population (57.26%) experienced dysmenorrhoea. Majority of the population is underweight (83.76% are underweight). Majority (85.47%) of the study population did not experience premenstrual syndrome. Conclusion: The results of age at menarche is in consonance with established research. The menstrual irregularities are high at menarche and are subsiding with the progress of adolescence.