PEDIATRICS Vol. 68 No. 5 November 1981, pp. 661-664
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Klein, J. R.
Right arrow Articles by Litt, I. F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Klein, J. R.
Right arrow Articles by Litt, I. F.

Epidemiology of Adolescent Dysmenorrhea

Jerry R. Klein MD1 and Iris F. Litt MD1

1 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California

Dysmenorrhea is the leading cause of recurrent short-term school absenteeism among adolescent girls. Controversy surrounds the relative role of psychologic and biologic variables in the pathogenesis of dysmenorrhea. Therefore, data from 2,699 menarcheal adolescents, drawn from a national probability sample of 12- to 17-year-old girls (the National Health Examination Survey), were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate analytic techniques for biologic, psychologic, and demographic correlates of dysmenorrhea. Of 1,611 adolescents (59.7%) who report dysmenorrhea, 14% frequently miss school because of cramps. The greatest proportion of variation of independent variables in a stepwise multiple regression analysis in this study was predicted by gynecologic or postmenarcheal age. Preparation for menarche, a psychologic variable, did not predict either dysmenorrhea or subsequent school absence. Socioeconomic status was positively correlated with dysmenorrhea although race was not. However, black students (23.6%) miss more school because of dysmenorrhea than white students (12.3%) even when socioeconomic status is held constant. Data in this study suggest that biologic variables play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of dysmenorrhea.

Submitted on December 5, 1980
Accepted on February 19, 1981




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Obstet GynecolHome page
A. R. Davis, C. Westhoff, K. O'Connell, and N. Gallagher
Oral Contraceptives for Dysmenorrhea in Adolescent Girls: A Randomized Trial
Obstet. Gynecol., July 1, 2005; 106(1): 97 - 104.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
R. M. Ghandour, M. D. Overpeck, Z. J. Huang, M. D. Kogan, and P. C. Scheidt
Headache, Stomachache, Backache, and Morning Fatigue Among Adolescent Girls in the United States: Associations With Behavioral, Sociodemographic, and Environmental Factors
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, August 1, 2004; 158(8): 797 - 803.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Obstet GynecolHome page
M. P. Steinkampf, M. T. Manning, S. Dharia, and K. D. Burke
An Accessory Uterine Cavity as a Cause of Pelvic Pain
Obstet. Gynecol., May 1, 2004; 103(5): 1058 - 1061.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
C. Banikarim, M. R. Chacko, and S. H. Kelder
Prevalence and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Hispanic Female Adolescents
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, December 1, 2000; 154(12): 1226 - 1229.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Interpers ViolenceHome page
C. S. AL-MATEEN, P. D. HALL, R. R. BROOKMAN, A. M. BEST, and N. N. SINGH
Sexual Abuse and Perimenstrual Symptoms in Adolescent Girls
J Interpers Violence, November 1, 1999; 14(11): 1211 - 1224.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 West J Nurs ResHome page
J. F. Shaver, N. F. Woods, V. Wolf-Wilets, M. M. Heitkemper, K. C. Buckwalter, and M. Boyd
Menstrual Experiences: Comparisons of Dysmenorrheic and Nondysmenorrheic Women
West J Nurs Res, November 1, 1987; 9(4): 423 - 444.
[PDF]