Age at menarche and the menstrual pattern of secondary school adolescents in central India

Rakhee Ambade; Mohan Sagdeo

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173572

Authors

Rakhee Ambade Department of Physiology, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Mohan Sagdeo Department of Physiology, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173572

Keywords:

Dysmenorrhoea, Menarche

Abstract

Background: Population studies on characteristics of menstrual cycles are scarce. Knowledge on this variability is necessary for patient education and to guide clinical evaluation.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted and 622 school girls were selected randomly. A pretested questionnaire was used to gather data.

Results: Mean age of participants was 16.9 ± 1 years. About 92.2% had attained menarche. Probit analysis of the status-quo data yielded median age at menarche of 14.8 (13.9-15.3) years and by recall method to be 15.8 ± 1 years. The mean age at menarche was, significantly, 0.3 years younger for urban females compared with rural ones. Cycle length between 21-35 days was observed in 70.3% of the girls. Mean duration of flow was 4 ± 1.3 days. Menstrual cycles were irregular in 42.8% of the subjects. Overall prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 72%. and of PMS was 75.4%.

Conclusions: Age of menarche was found to be significantly delayed. Considerable number of students complained of dysmenorrhoea and premenstrual symptoms.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

Rakhee Ambade, Department of Physiology, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Associate Professor

Mohan Sagdeo, Department of Physiology, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Prof and Head

References

Chumlea WC, Schubert CM, Roche AF. Age at menarche and racial comparisons in US girls. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):110-3.

Swenson I, Havens B. Menarche and menstruation: a review of the literature. J Community Health Nursing. 1987;4(4):199-210.

Thomas F, Renaud F, Benefice E, de Meeus T. International variability of ages at menarche and menopause: patterns and main determinants. Human Biol. 2001;73(2):271-90.

Kaplowitz P. Pubertal development in girls: secular trends. Current Opinion Obst Gynecol. 2006;18(5):487-91.

Diaz A, Laufer MR, Breech LL. Menstruation in girls and adolescents: using the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Pediatrics. 2006;118(5):2245-50.

Apter DAN, Vihko R: Early Menarche, a risk factor for breast cancer, indicates early onset of ovulatory cycles. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1983;57(1):82-6.

Ikaraoha C, Mbadiwe IC, Igwe CU/ Menarchial age of secondary school girls in urban and rural areas of Rivers state, Nigeria. Online J Health Allied Scs. 2005;4(2).

Attallah NL, Matta WM. Age at menarche of school girls in Khartoum. Ann Human Biol. 1983;10(2):185-8.

Montero P, Bernis C, Loukid M. Characteristics of menstrual cycles in Moroccan girls: prevalence of dysfunctions and associated behaviours. Ann Human Biol. 1999;26(3):249-3.

Padez C. Age at menarche of schoolgirls in Maputo, Mozambique. Ann Human Biol. 2003;30(4):487-95.

Lee LK, Chen PCY, Lee KK, Kaur J. Menstruation among adolescent girls in Malaysia: a cross-sectional school survey. Singapore Med J. 2006;47(10):869-74.

Banikarim C, Chacko MR, Kelder SH. Prevalence and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Hispanic Female Adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000;154(12):1226-9.

Cakir M, Mungan I, Karakas T. Menstrual pattern and common menstrual disorders among university students in Turkey. Pediatr Int. 2007;49(6):938-42.

Sharma P, Malhotra C, Taneja DK, Saha R. Problems related to menstruation amongst adolescent girls. Indian J Pediatr. 2008;75(2):125-9.

Sule ST, Ukwenya JE. Menstrual experiences of adolescents in a secondary school. Turkish-German Gynecol Assoc. 2007;8(1):7-14.

Tenkir A, Fisseha N, Ayele B: Premenstrual syndrome: prevalence and effect on academic and social performances of students in Jimma University, Ethiopia. Ethiopian J Health Development. 2003;17(3):181-8.

Tiwari H, Oza UN, Tiwari R. Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about menarche of adolescent girls in Anand district, Gujarat. Eastern Mediterranean Health J. 2005;12(3-4):428-33.