A Study of Dysmenorrhoea during Menstruation in High School Adolescent Girls

Objective: The objectives were to study the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in high school adolescent girls of Jodhpur Rajasthan and to study the evidence of severity of the problem with associated symptoms and general health status. Method: An explorative survey technique with a correlational approach. A total of Nine hundred and ten adolescent girls of age 15 to 19 years, studying in the higher secondary schools (Pre University Colleges) of Jodhpur Rajasthan who have attended menarche were selected. Statistical analysis: Percentages, Chi -square test, and Test-Retest Method. Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls was found to be 75.67%. Most of them, 30.96%, suffered regularly from dysmenorrhea severity. The three most common symptoms present on both days, that is, day before and first day of menstruation were lethargy and tiredness (first), depression (second) and inability to concentrate in work (third). Conclusion: From the study it can be concluded that dysmenorrhea is a very common problem among adolescent girls. They almost always, silently suffer the pain by dysmenorrhea and the discomfort associated with it due to lack of knowledge about reproductive health. It is probable that this also affects their academic performance. The findings of this study thus indicate the enormity of the problem and the need for appropriate intervention through a change in lifestyle.