Menstrual disorders and medical counseling among schoolgirls in South Egypt: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Menstrual disorders are common gynecological problems among adolescents, however, medical counseling for these disorders is not well documented in developing countries.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess medical counseling for menstrual disorders among schoolgirls in Beni-Suef city in South Egypt.

Methods: Using a multi-stage random sampling, a total of 970 preparatory schoolgirls were included in this study. We used a self-administered questionnaire to detect the premenstrual and menstrual disorders as reported by the schoolgirls during the previous 6 months. Medical counseling for the menstrual disorders and other demographic characteristics were also surveyed.

Results: The mean age of the schoolgirls was 15.4 ± 0.8 years, age of menarche 13.2 ± 1.1 years and menstrual flow days 5.0 ± 1.3. During the past 6 months, 19.4% of the schoolgirls reported medical counseling for at least one menstrual symptom. Dysmenorrhea (89.2%), premenstrual fatigue (32.4%) and headache (31.1%) were the most often reported symptoms. After adjustment for personal and gynecological characters, abdominal bloating [odds ratio (OR) 3.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.18-6.17], flow days >4 (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.21-2.47), acne flare (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.01-1.99), dysuria (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.35-3.22) and facial hair (OR 6.89; 95% CI 3.47-13.69) were associated significantly with a higher likelihood of medical counseling.

Conclusion: Menstrual disorders are highly prevalent among preparatory schoolgirls in Beni-Suef, however, there is a noticeable lack of the medical counseling for these disorders. Future research should focus on the barriers to medical counseling for menstrual disorders among adolescents.