Dysfunctional uterine bleeding and other menstrual problems of secondary school students in Adana, Turkey.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2000 Nov; 13(4):171-5.JP
STUDY OBJECTIVE
We documented such menstrual disorders as dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB): dangerous health problem during adolescence.
DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS
We gave a questionnaire containing 29 questions about menstruation to 3000 secondary school students in Adana, Turkey.
RESULTS
The mean age of the students was 15.8 years; their menarche age was 12.9 years. Irregular periods were observed in 26.7% of the cases, 62.2% had at least one irregular bleeding in their lives, 11.3% visited a gynecologist for irregular bleeding, and 4.5% were treated for it. Dysmenorrhea occurred in 38.7% of the students. Forty-one percent used pain killers during their menstruation; half of them received the drugs from their family, and the other half received them over-the-counter without a prescription. Almost half (46.6%) of the girls experienced premenstrual problems. Most of the students (71.4%) discussed their menstrual problems with their mothers. Among the school girls, 15.8% claimed that there was a correlation between school examinations and irregular menses.
CONCLUSION
The questionnaire's results show that such menstrual disorders during adolescence as DUB are common but neglected. Medical staff who specialize in adolescent gynecology must address the problem.
