Determinants of Menstrual Irregularities Among Females Attending Gynecological Outpatient Clinics

Uzma Riaz; Seemab Zafar; Hina khan; Saima Iltaf; Rukhsana Shaheen Afzal; Tahira Jabeen

Uzma Riaz Associate Professor of Pharmacology, MBBS-MC, Mirpur Azad Kashmir
Seemab Zafar Assistant professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, AJK Medical College Muzaffarabad
Hina khan Assistant professor Obstetrics and Gynecology, Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital Bannu
Saima Iltaf Assistant professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abbottabad International Medical Complex
Rukhsana Shaheen Afzal Assistant Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology, HIT hospital, HITEC-IMS, Taxilla
Tahira Jabeen Assisstant professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hitech Institute of Medical Sciences Taxila Cantt

Abstract

Background: The menstrual disorders are the commonest presentation of the women visiting gynecological outpatient clinics. About half of all the patients treated in the gynaecological outpatient department are those with complaints concerning menstrual irregularity. Secondary dysmenorrhea is the commonest menstruation complaint at any age in the reproductive cycle. The pain and tightness on the lower part of the abdomen together with the upper thigh, genital area, and back is referred to as dysmenorrhea. It occurs in as low as 40 to 94% depending on the environment, ethnicity, way of life, etc It is a major cause of missed school or workdays.

Methods: A total of 200 post-partum females of childbearing age (15-49 years) who attended the Gynaecology Out patients Department were recruited in this non interventional Cross-sectional study. In regard to written consent, a semi structured standardized questionnaire was formulated based on pilot study with patients. Patients who for one or the other reason could not be enrolled in the study as well as those who rejected to conform or those who have been interviewed before and are now coming for a second interview were excluded.

Results: According to this results of this study it was found that lower abdominal discomfort was the main reason for monthly visit accounting to 51% followed by monthly irregularities and PV discharge accounting to 20% of the women. The most frequent complaint reported among the menstrual problems was complain of irregularity of cycle in 44% women followed by menorrhagia which was reported in 21% women. As for the relationship with family history, alcohol and tobacco intake, no significance was found However, the severity of dysmenorrhea had a definite relationship on impact on activity (p=. 000) and on intervention (p=. 000).

Conclusion: Hence, it can be concluded that the main complaint for which women attend the gynecological OPD most often is lower abdominal pain. Dysmenorrhea is a common menstruation disorder that seriously interferes with everyoneâ€™s life and should be treated.

Keywords: Menstrual cycle disturbances, Menstruation, Adulthood and gynaecology