Menstrual Disorders among Students – an Overview

In adolescence serious gynaecological pathology is rare, but menstrual disturbances are common and may add further disruption for them and their families. Menstrual disorders are one of the major problems faced by women all around the world and are generally perceived as minor health concerns. There are many types of menstrual disorders such as oligomenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), amenorrhea and polymenorrhea. Several studies have been performed to determine the prevalence and the pattern of menstrual disorders among students in various countries and also to understand the knowledge and awareness towards menstrual disorders among the student population. Among all menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea is the most common, being reported among students, which is characterized by recurrent, crampy abdominal pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and back pain. This being the major cause leads to activity restriction and absenteeism from school or university, for which few of the adolescents consult physician or may adopt self-medication with over-the-counter medicines or home remedies. Studies have been reported that menstrual cycle abnormalities may also be associated with psychological stress, strenuous physical exercise, low body weight and endocrine disturbance. This review compiled the studies on menstrual disorders and discussed the associated problems in university and school students.