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. 2025 Apr 13;17(4):e82169.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.82169. eCollection 2025 Apr.

Menstrual Disturbances and Associated Factors Among Female University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mazen Alhaj Ahmad  1 , Nour Al Huda Al Khatib  1 , Saif Alshehhi  1 , Israa Farag  1 , Alyazah Alsuwaidi  1 , Meer Kadir  1 , Amal Hussein  2 , Bashair M Mussa  3
Affiliations

Menstrual Disturbances and Associated Factors Among Female University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mazen Alhaj Ahmad et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background: Menstrual disturbances are prevalent among young females worldwide. However, the literature addressing this topic in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is scarce. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of menstrual disturbances among female university students across the UAE and identify the most common practices and lifestyle factors associated with menstrual disturbances.

Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized convenience sampling and was distributed to female university students. The questionnaire was developed after a careful assessment of the literature and was conducted between February and March of 2023. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria were used to evaluate the prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) among the study population.

Results: Of the total 390 participants, 73.6% had at least one menstrual disturbance, with PMDD being the most common at 50.8%. Furthermore, PMDD was significantly associated with caffeine consumption (p = 0.047). Conditions such as oligomenorrhea (p = 0.005), hypomenorrhea (p = 0.021), and PMDD (p ≤ 0.001) were associated with higher stress scores. For managing menstrual disturbance, 71.5% did not seek professional advice, and only 7.7% of patients took prescribed medications. Most participants opted for self-management by bed rest (75.4%), consumption of tea and herbs (63.1%), and self-medication (54.4%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of menstrual problems among female university students in the UAE was 73.6%, which was high, with higher stress scores being correlated with multiple menstrual disturbances; thus, awareness programs and the provision of proper counseling are recommended to all universities across the UAE.

Keywords: menstruation; menstruation disturbances; premenstrual dysphoric disorder; stress; university students.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Review Board (IRB) of the University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates issued approval REC-22-02-14-06-S. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Distribution of the most common menstrual disturbances among study participants
Figure 2
Figure 2. Distribution of the different practices done by the study participants during menstruation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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