Abstract
Menstrual cycle is an essential feature of female reproductive system. Changes in the hormonal levels around ovulation are associated with dysmenorrhea followed by negative attitude, lost time from school and work, stress and depression in majority of females. This observational study included 1800 female subjects, divided in to 3 age groups and asked for the status of their menstrual cycle through a detailed questionnaire. Dysmenorrhea and its severity along with prevalence of various physiological and psychological disturbances were chiefly investigated. BMI, Waist to hip ratio were also determined as risk factors for dysmenorrhea. Blood pressure, hemoglobin and random sugar were also estimated. Dysmenorrhea was reported by 82% of the study subjects of which about 65% were having moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. More than 90% complained for associated symptoms before and especially during menstruation. Physiological disturbances like loss of appetite, lack of sleep, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea were reported by 68% of subjects. Disorientation, stress, mood fluctuation, anxiety, agitation and depression were found in 41% subjects. blood haemoglobin and random sugar did not show any significant change. Although this data is limited , it provided the mean values for the length of menstrual cycle, duration and flow of menstruation, age of menarche and pain during menstruation in this population and the association between dysmenorrhea and mental and physiological disturbances.
