Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and associated factors in adult women

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea in a sample of adult women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with women aged between 19 and 49 years from a city of northeastern Brazil. Sociodemographic, gynecological, and obstetric variables were assessed by questionnaires and interviews. Dysmenorrhea was measured by self-report, and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale measured the intensity of pain. Statistical analyses included χ2 test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. RESULTS: The average age was 33.2±9.1 years and the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 56% for the whole sample. The average duration of symptoms was 2.7±1.8 days and the mean intensity was 6.1±2.6. The previous cesarean section was associated with a higher rate of primary dysmenorrhea (PR=2.33; 95%CI 1.11-4.90) when considering the whole sample. Women who aged 25-39 years and are insufficiently active had higher rates of primary dysmenorrhea (PR=5.24; 95%CI 1.08-27.31). CONCLUSION: Primary dysmenorrhea has a high prevalence in young adults, adults, and middle-aged women. Cesarean section and being physically inactive was associated with increased rates of dysmenorrhea among adult women.

Sexual function and functioning of women in reproductive age / Função sexual e funcionalidade de mulheres em idade reprodutiva / Función sexual y funcionalidad de las mujeres en edad reproductiva

Abstract Introduction: Sexual function (SF) is an important issue in women's health from the beginning of sexual life. SF can be modified by several factors, and the presence of sexual dysfunction may negatively affect the quality of life of these women. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the sexual function, its associated factors and the association with the functioning in women in reproductive age. Method: A cross-sectional observational study with 172 women that attended 6 Family Health Facilities in the northeast region of Brazil. The evaluation tool consisted of (i) sociodemographic, obstetrical and gynecological issues, and questions about habits and health conditions, (ii) female sexual quotient (FSQ), and (iii) World Health Organization Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction was calculated, and bivariate analysis was used to estimate the association of independent variables with the outcome of sexual dysfunction. Results: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 37.2%, and 39.5% of the sample considered their sexual health as fair to good. In total, 26.2% of women never think of sex spontaneously, they do not remember or imagine themselves during sexual intercourse, and 38.4% think about it sometimes. No association was found between the investigated variables and sexual dysfunction; however, the latter showed an association on interpersonal relationships of women (p = 0.016). Conclusions: There is a considerable prevalence of sexual dysfunction between women in reproductive age. Thus, results emphasize the relevance of investigations about female sexual function among women in reproductive age that are not in the pregnancy and postpartum period.

Resumo Introdução: A função sexual (FS) é uma questão importante na saúde das mulheres a partir do início da vida sexual. A FS pode ser modificada por vários fatores e na presença de disfunção sexual poderá afetar negativamente a qualidade de vida dessas mulheres. Objetivo: investigar a prevalência da disfunção sexual, os fatores associados em mulheres em idade fértil e o impacto dessa disfunção na funcionalidade. Método: Trata-se de um estudo observacional transversal com 172 mulheres atendidas em seis Unidades de Saúde da Família no nordeste do Brasil. A ferramenta de avaliação consistiu em (i) questões sociodemográficas, obstétricas e ginecológicas e perguntas sobre hábitos e condições de saúde, (ii) quociente sexual feminino (QSF) e (iii) World Health Organization Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). A prevalência de disfunção sexual foi calculada e a análise bivariada foi utilizada para estimar a associação de variáveis independentes com o desfecho disfunção sexual. Resultados: A prevalência de disfunção sexual foi de 37,2%, e 39,5% da amostra considerou sua saúde sexual como regular ou boa. Desse total, 26,2% das mulheres nunca costumam pensar espontaneamente em sexo, nem se lembram ou se imaginam durante a relação sexual e 38,4% pensam apenas às vezes. Não foi encontrada associação entre as variáveis estudadas e a disfunção sexual, porém esta mostrou impacto nas relações interpessoais das mulheres (p = 0,016). Conclusão: Há considerável prevalência de disfunção sexual entre as mulheres com idade reprodutiva. Destaca-se a relevância de investigações acerca da função sexual feminina entre mulheres em idade reprodutiva e que não estejam no ciclo gravídico-puerperal..

Resumen Introducción: La función sexual (FS) es un tema importante para la salud de las mujeres desde el comienzo de su vida sexual. La FS puede ser modificada por varios factores, y en presencia de disfunción sexual puede afectar negativamente la calidad de vida de estas mujeres. Objetivo: Investigar la prevalencia de la disfunción sexual, los factores asociados en las mujeres en edad reproductiva y el impacto de esta disfunción en el funcionamiento. Método: Estudio observacional transversal con 172 mujeres que recibían atención en seis Unidades de Salud de la Familia en la región Nordeste de Brasil. La evaluación consistió en: (i) cuestiones sociodemográficas, obstétricas y ginecológicas, preguntas sobre hábitos y condiciones de salud; (ii) cociente sexual femenino; y (iii) WHODAS 2.0. Se calculó la prevalencia de la disfunción sexual y se utilizó el análisis bivariado para estimar la asociación de variables independientes con el resultado de la disfunción sexual. Resultados: La prevalencia de disfunción sexual fue del 37,2%, y el 39,5% de la muestra consideró su salud sexual como regular o buena. El 26,2% de las mujeres nunca suelen pensar espontáneamente en el sexo, ni se acuerdan o se imaginan durante la relación sexual y el 38,4% piensan apenas a veces. No se encontró asociación entre las variables estudiadas y la disfunción sexual, pero ésta mostró impacto en las relaciones interpersonales de las mujeres (p = 0,016). Conclusión: Hay una considerable prevalencia de disfunción sexual entre mujeres en edad reproductiva. Se destaca la relevancia de investigaciones acerca de la función sexual femenina entre mujeres en edad reproductiva y que no estén en el ciclo gravídico-puerperal.