Secondary School Girls' Experiences of Menstruation and Awareness of Endometriosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Study objective: To characterize typical menstrual characteristics in a large sample of secondary school girls, as well as knowledge of typical (ie, normal) menstruation, endometriosis awareness, and educational needs. To establish whether self-reported atypical period symptoms indicate menstrual characteristics suggesting the need for further clinical review for a specialist opinion.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Secondary schools in West Midlands, England.

Participants: A total of 442 girls, aged 15-19 years.

Interventions and main outcome measures: The questionnaire determined demographic characteristics, age at menarche, menstrual cycle patterns and experiences, awareness of endometriosis, and preferences for learning about it.

Results: Period pain was common (94%), with pain reported as moderate/severe (86%). Girls reported missing school due to their menstrual periods (23%), mainly because of pain. Most believed their period was typical (63%); however, 27% were unsure, and 30% did not know whether it was regular. Self-report of atypical periods was associated with symptoms suggesting need for clinical review and with consulting a doctor [χ²(2) = 36.272, P < .001)]. Only 8% could describe endometriosis, although 86% wanted to learn more about it.

Conclusion: Most secondary school girls report dysmenorrhea. Although most girls reporting atypical periods had seen a doctor, more than one-fourth did not know whether their period was typical or regular. The majority do not have knowledge of endometriosis, contrasting with adolescents' familiarity with other common chronic conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy. We suggest menstrual health education (MHE) to improve knowledge of typical menstruation and pain treatment, aiding earlier identification of problematic period symptoms that might indicate underlying pathology.

Keywords: Adolescent; Delayed diagnosis; Dysmenorrhea; Education; Endometriosis; Menstruation.