A Study on the Menstruation of Adolescent Girls: A School Base Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Menstruation is a normal physiological process occurring every month throughout the reproductive age of the females. However, significant variation in menstrual pattern is observed among adolescents. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to explore the pattern of menstruation and problems among school-going adolescents in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out among 250 adolescent school girls in Dhaka from June 3rd 2022 to September 2nd 2022. Prior permission was obtained from the Principal of the school and informed consent was taken from the legal guardians of the girls. The selected women were explained about the protocol and the purpose of the study and were requested to complete the questionnaires to elicit information relating to demographic features, menarche age, and menstrual characteristics. Result: The distribution of menstrual disorders of the study populations where most of the 78.4% of girls faced dysmenorrhea, 7.6% of girls had menorrhagia, 6% had irregular menses, 5.2% of girls had polymenorrhoea and 2.8% girls had no disorders. Conclusion: Menstrual problems are frequent among adolescent girls. Dysmenorrhoea was the commonest problem among the adolescent girls. Educating student about menstrual health by health care professionals and teachers can help in reducing their psychological and physical stress.