Awareness of Premenstrual Syndrome and Its Impact on the Severity of Menstrual Distress in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study from Karachi, Pakistan

Authors

  • Zahira Qaimdin College of Physiotherapy, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan
  • Poonam Mahraj College of Physiotherapy, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan
  • Rubab Naeem House Officer, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Ajmal Jamil Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), Larkana, Pakistan, DipCard R1, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan
  • Arslan Ghafar National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan, Sharif Medical and Dental College, University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, Pakistan
  • Kamlesh Kumar National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1852

Keywords:

Premenstrual Syndrome, Menstrual Distress, Adolescents, Awareness, Menstrual Health Education, Karachi

Abstract

Background: Menstrual distress and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) significantly affect adolescents’ physical and emotional well-being, yet awareness remains limited in developing countries. Awareness may improve symptom recognition but could also amplify perceived distress due to heightened attention to bodily changes. Understanding this relationship is crucial for designing effective menstrual health education strategies. Objective: To determine the association between awareness of PMS and the severity of menstrual distress symptoms among adolescent females in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 female students aged 16–20 years recruited from intermediate colleges in Karachi using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Shortened Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (SMDQ) assessing symptoms across three menstrual phases—premenstrual, menstrual, and intermenstrual. Participants were categorized based on PMS awareness. Independent-sample t-tests and effect size analyses (Cohen’s d) compared mean SMDQ scores between groups, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Only 24% of participants were aware of PMS. Those aware reported significantly higher total SMDQ scores during menstruation (59.5 ± 25.5 vs. 46.9 ± 25.6; p=0.02; d=0.47), as well as higher pain (p<0.01; d=0.63) and autonomic reactions (p<0.01; d=0.61). Differences before menstruation and during the rest of the cycle were nonsignificant. Conclusion: PMS awareness among adolescents was associated with increased perception and reporting of menstrual distress, particularly during menstruation. Educational programs should aim to enhance balanced awareness that fosters recognition while promoting adaptive coping strategies to mitigate distress

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Published

2024-08-15

How to Cite

Zahira Qaimdin, Poonam Mahraj, Rubab Naeem, Muhammad Ajmal Jamil, Arslan Ghafar, & Kamlesh Kumar. (2024). Awareness of Premenstrual Syndrome and Its Impact on the Severity of Menstrual Distress in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study from Karachi, Pakistan. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(3), e1852. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1852

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 3 (2024): Volume 4, Issue 3 - July to September 2024

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Zahira Qaimdin, Poonam Mahraj, Rubab Naeem, Muhammad Ajmal Jamil, Arslan Ghafar, Kamlesh Kumar

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