[Menstrual disorders among women 15 to 54 years of age in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: a population-based study]

Abstract

A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, to assess the prevalence of menstrual disorders and their distribution according to parity and demographic, social, and behavioral characteristics among 1,078 women aged 15-54 years. Menstrual disorders included heavy menstrual bleeding, inter-menstrual bleeding, short cycle, long cycle, and prolonged menses. Prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Overall prevalence of menstrual disorders was 46.4% (43.3-49.4). The most prevalent disorder was heavy menstrual bleeding (23.2%; 20.5-25.8), followed by short cycle (19.2%; 16.6-21.8), long cycle (14.8%; 12.7-16.9), inter-menstrual bleeding (11.1%; 9.1-13.2), and prolonged menses (7.9%; 6.3-9.4). Menstrual disorders are frequent in the population and are associated with age 35 years or older, low schooling, high parity, tubal ligation, and smoking.