Examination of the effects of primary dysmenorrhea on daily life of young women and treatment approaches

Abstract

Aim: Dysmenorrhea is a condition characterized by pain during or before menstruation. This study aims to investigate how dysmenorrhea affects the quality of life of young women and explore effective treatment approaches. Methods: The research data in descriptive and cross-sectional types were collected using a personal information form containing students' socio-demographic characteristics and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). A total of 336 students diagnosed with dysmenorrhea and willing to participate in the study were included. Results: The mean VAS scale score used to determine the severity of dysmenorrhea in the participants was 6.51±2.10. Among the participants who chose Complementary and Alternative Treatment (CAT), 81.8% preferred lying down for rest, and 72.9% opted for applying heat to the abdomen. A statistically significant difference was found in the use of analgesics and CAT methods for dysmenorrhea control based on a family history of dysmenorrhea and the impact of dysmenorrhea on daily life (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that dysmenorrhea can impact the daily lives of young women and highlights the utilization of various treatment methods. Analgesic medication and TAT methods are commonly preferred for managing this condition. Future research could provide further insights into dysmenorrhea management and aid in developing more effective strategies to improve the quality of life for young women.

Keywords

• Dysmenorrhea
• menstrual cycle
• student
• complementary and alternative therapy
• quality of life.