MENSTRUAL PATTERN AND MENSTRUAL DISORDERS AMONG SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN DELHI

Introduction: Menstrual cycles often are irregular through adolescence, particularly the interval from the first to the second cycle. Becoming less frequent as they grow older, 3–5 years after menarche.
Objectives: To determine patterns of menstruation, prevalence of menstrual disorders and the health seeking behaviour of the adolescent girls related to menstruation.
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 school going adolescent girls of government schools in south Delhi. After taking informed consent, the data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire prepared in Hindi.
Results: The mean age at menarche in the study subjects was 12.7±1.00 years. Average menstrual interval was 29.01±7.03 days. Dysmenorrhea was reported by 62% of the girls. Premenstrual syndrome was experienced by 34% girls. Out of 71.59% girls who had ever experienced any menstrual problem, some 30% had any consultation regarding the problem.
Conclusion: Age at menarche had declined and there is significant variation in adolescent menstruation in initial 3 years after menarche. Menstrual problems are frequent among adolescent girls. However many adolescent girls do not seek medical advice for these menstrual problems.