PREVALENCE OF MENSTRUAL PAIN AND READINESS TO PARTICIPATE IN EXERCISE PROGRAM TO MANAGE MENSTRUAL PAIN AMONG YOUNG WOMEN IN URBAN BANGALORE- A SURVEY
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Abstract
Background: Menstrual cycle is a physiological process in women of reproductive age but when this cyclical shedding of endometrium is painful, it is known as dysmenorrhea. As per previous studies the incidence of menstrual pain among college going girls is 84.2%. The most likely cause for the menstrual pain being the increase in uterine ischemia (uterine angina).
Dysmenorrhoea remarkably affects women’s health and performance. There have been incidences of increased absenteeism, decreased involvement in academic activity among college students.
And overall decrease in quality of life. This menstrual pain also affects women in working age group, post education.
Moreover, the incidences of menstrual pain among young working women, it’s report to health care facilities, treatment for menstrual pain is not well noted. Due to multiple sociocultural factors women do not seek help or proper treatment to manage menstrual pain and suffer.
Methods: A survey was conducted with the help of online / mail format which was distributed randomly to young women in the age group of 18-35 years to assess their awareness levels of menstrual pain, how it affects their functioning and performance. The survey also aimed to assess the awareness levels of women of urban Bangalore to various methods of treatment available for managing menstrual pain.
Results: From the survey conducted it was learnt that Menstrual pain was prevalent among 89% of young women participant, 80% of these women complained of pain, 65% experienced tiredness, 75% had mood swings and irritability and 20% of them felt depressed. Most of these women had pain commonly in abdomen and low back pain. Professional commitments of these 63% of them was affected because of menstrual pain. Around 61% of the women were interested in an exercise protocol which will help in managing Menstrual pain.
Conclusions: Studies need to be conducted to find out the incidences of menstrual pain among young working women in urban Bangalore. Studies also need to be done to understand the awareness of young women regarding various non-pharmacological treatment options to manage menstrual pain.