Prevalence, Severity and Quality-of-Life Impact of Dysmenorrhea among Non-Medical Undergraduates in Sana’a City, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Dysmenorrhea commonly affects young women and can substantially impair quality of life (QoL), but evidence from Yemen is limited. This study assessed the prevalence, symptoms, impact on QoL, and coping methods of dysmenorrhea among undergraduates enrolled in non-medical colleges in Sana’a City, Yemen.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 371 conveniently sampled students enrolled at the University of Science and Technology in Sana’a during the academic year 2023–2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, menstrual history, dysmenorrhea, pain severity, QoL impact, and coping methods. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results: Dysmenorrhea was prevalent among 89.5% (332/371) of non-medical undergraduates, and most of these students reported experiencing severe pain (49.7%) and reported pain that began before menstruation and continued during menses (39.8%). Among students with dysmenorrhea, lower back pain was the most frequently reported complaint (91.3%), followed by fatigue (89.5%), loss of appetite (85.5%), and abdominal pain (84.9%). The vast majority of non-medical undergraduates with dysmenorrhea reported being unable to perform daily activities effectively (99.1%), followed by those feeling depressed and needing to cry (96.9%) and those feeling irritable with excessive emotions (92.4%). The majority of participants reported taking rest only to cope with dysmenorrhea (89.7%), followed by using a warm water bottle (62%) and drinking plenty of hot liquids (60.8%). The use of self-administered medications was reported by 45.2% of students, while 8.4% reported seeking medical consultation and 14.1% reported practicing light exercise.

Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is common among non-medical undergraduates in Sana’a and often severe, with substantial effects on daily activities, psychosocial well-being, and academic performance. Nevertheless, most students rely on self-management and non-pharmacological treatments, with only a minority seeking medical consultation. Therefore, educational programs and interventions to address dysmenorrhea among university students are recommended.