Menstrual pain and sexual health in mothers—A cross‐sectional study in the Danish National Birth Cohort

Abstract

Prevalence and consequences of menstrual pain have mainly been studied in younger women. We aimed to describe the prevalence of menstrual pain in mothers and its association with sexual problems. A cross-sectional study using questionnaire data from the Maternal Follow Up (2013-2014) in the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996-2002). Of 82569 eligible mothers, 43639 (53%) completed the follow up. Of these, 24000 women had a partner, and answered the questions on menstrual pain. Log binomial regression was used to calculate prevalence proportion ratios (PPR) with 95% CI for the association between menstrual pain and specific sexual problems. Menstrual pain was reported by 16464 women (69%), and severe menstrual pain by 19%. Treatment had previously been requested by 19% of women with menstrual pain. The most common treatment was oral contraceptives, but for 18% of women seeking treatment, no treatment was given. Women with menstrual pain were more likely to report reduced sexual desire (PPR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15-1.29), vaginismus (PPR 1.31, 95% CI 0.96-1.78), and dyspareunia (PPR 1.63, 95% CI 1.47-1.81), in particular deep dyspareunia (PPR 1.92, 95% CI 1.67-2.20). A majority of Danish mothers in mid-life experienced menstrual pain, and these women more often reported reduced sexual desire, vaginismus, and deep dyspareunia. Few women sought and received treatment for menstrual pain. Healthcare practitioners should be aware that menstrual pain can affect parous women and co-occurs with sexual problems. Future studies should identify barriers to seeking and receiving adequate treatment for menstrual pain.