Samomedikacija primarne dismenoreje kod studentkinja medicine u Srbiji

Mia Manojlović,Ivor Kolarski,Ana Tomas,Veljko Ćućuz,Milica Paut-Kusturica,Dragana Zaklan,Olga Horvat,Kristina Stepanović

doi:10.5937/hpimj2102058m

Abstract

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common disorder in women, with a significant impact on quality of life. Aim: The objective of this academic study was to investigate the severity of dysmenorrhea in female students of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad, to estimate the self-medication prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea, to identify the most commonly used conventional, herbal, homeopathic remedies and manner of their usage, as well as non-pharmacological measures in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Material and Methods: This study was performed on a random sample of 100 respondents from different departments of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad, from December 1st to December 15th, 2016. The data were obtained by using a standardized questionnaire. Results: The sample included 59 female medical students and 41 female students of the other study groups. Most of the respondents had medium expressed symptoms due to dysmenorrhea (48.0%). The most common symptoms were cramps and pain in the lower abdomen, anxiety, and appetite changes. 11% of respondents were absent from classes at the university minimum one day of each menstrual cycle, because of dysmenorrhea. 66% of respondents used drugs due to symptoms of dysmenorrhea. The most commonly used group of drugs were non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (75.76%), primarily ibuprofen (53.03%), and diclofenac (10.61%). Self-medication prevalence was 48.48%. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, dysmenorrhea symptoms significantly impact the quality of life.

Highlights

Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as painful menstruation, which occurs after the onset of menarche and after establishing ovulatory menstrual cycles, in the absence of pathological findings on the genital organs
For the drugs listed by the respondents, an international non-proprietary name was identified, and the drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System and divided into three groups (NSAIDs, analgesics, antispasmodics)
The largest number of students was in the physiological range regarding Body Mass Index (BMI) and the duration and frequency of menstrual cycles: BMI within the physiological range, age at first menstruation 12-14 years, average menstrual cycle duration 22-30 days, and normal menstrual bleeding duration 3-7 days

Summary

Introduction

Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as painful menstruation, which occurs after the onset of menarche and after establishing ovulatory menstrual cycles, in the absence of pathological findings on the genital organs. Primary dysmenorrhea is a consequence of increased concentrations of prostaglandins (PGs) released from the endometrium. PGs cause increased contractility of the myometrium, which leads to ischemia and consequent pain. PGs affect the contractility of the gastrointestinal tract smooth muscles and the increased sensitivity of peripheral nerves [2]. Primary dysmenorrhea usually occurs in younger women, but rarely with the first menstruation, the fact that the first cycles are anovulatory [1,2,3,4]. Some women can have only minor symptoms during menstruation, while for some, the pain can be so intense that it makes woman incapable of any activity. Condition can be manifested by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, weakness, and psychological manifestations (hypersensitivity, crying, irritability, anxiety, mood changes) [5,6]

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