A study on the menstruation of Korean adolescent girls in Seoul
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Authors
Lee, Jin Chul
Yu, Byung Keun
Byeon, Jung Hye
Lee, Kee-Hyoung
Min, Jung Hye
Park, Sang Hee
Issue Date
2011-05
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Adolescent , Dysmenorrhea , Menarche , Premenstrual Syndrome , Menstruation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Purpose: Westernized eating habits have been associated with early-age menstruation, which increases the incidence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls. We therefore surveyed changes in menarche timing and the general menstrual characteristics of adolescent girls in Seoul, Korea.
Methods: We surveyed 538 teenage girls who visited our hospital between July and November 2007. Items explored included age at menarche, general menstrual characteristics, occurrence of premenstrual syndrome and treatment thereof, and an association between present dysmenorrhea and a family history of the condition.
Results: Average age at menarche was 12.6 years, with 29% (n=156) subjects beginning menstruation at age 12 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 82% (n=435). The main symptoms were abdominal (53.2%) and lower back pain (34.2%), and 15.2% of girls who experienced such symptoms required medication. Present dysmenorrhea, and a family history thereof, were statistically correlated (P<0.05). In addition, 58.8% (n=316) of teenage girls had symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The most frequent psychological symptoms were fatigue (36.4%) and nervousness (38.7%), whereas the most common physical symptom was menstrual cramps (46.5%). Most subjects (87.6%) tolerated the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome without medication; 11.4% took medicines including painkillers; but only 0.1% of subjects visited a doctor.
Conclusion: The average age at menarche in Korean girls was 12.6 years, thus younger than in the past. Most teenage girls experienced dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, but few consulted a doctor. Organized treatment plans are required to manage menstrual problems in teenage girls.
Description
Citation
Lee, J. C., Yu, B. K., Byeon, J. H., Lee, K. H., Min, J. H., & Park, S. H. (2011). A study on the menstruation of Korean adolescent girls in Seoul. Korean journal of pediatrics, 54(5), 201–206. https://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2011.54.5.201
Publisher
Korean Journal of Pediatrics