Prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhoea, and management options reported by young Australian women.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the severity of dysmenorrhoea and attitudes towards its management in young females.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhoea in women aged 16-25 years.

METHODS: Participants were recruited via targeted Facebook advertising and asked to complete an online questionnaire covering medications, menstruation and lifestyle-related themes. A follow-up questionnaire on dysmenorrhoea was also administered.

RESULTS: The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 88% (n = 247, mean age 21.5 years, SD 2.6). Only 34% of participants reported consulting a healthcare provider about their pain, whereas 86% consulted other sources. Pain medication was used by 58% of the participants. Dysmenorrhoea was associated with interference with daily activities (P DISCUSSION: Dysmenorrhoea is highly prevalent among these women, with most indicating moderate to severe pain and a significant adverse impact on daily activities. Most women did not obtain information about dysmenorrhoea from healthcare providers, indicating the need for general practitioners to provide accurate information about dysmenorrhoea to young females.