Menstrual Pattern among Female Medical Students in University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

Aims: To determine menstrual pattern and disorder associated with it among female medical students.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria between February – September 2010.
Methodology: Self descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 169 Medical students (MBBS II-V) between the ages 19-46 years. Respondents were selected from each class using stratified random sampling method. Stratification was done according to their class. Questionnaires were designed and administered to the respondents to complete. Three researchers and two research assistances were on site to assist. Students were briefed on the objective of the study and duly completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Subjects who had primary amenorrhea and/or history of abdominal or pelvic surgery were not eligible for the study. The questionnaire included data such as; age of menarche, menstrual pattern, severity of pain (dysmenorrheal), marital status, effects of exercise, socioeconomic status, Body mass Index (BMI) and Diet. The method of observation involved personal interaction and questioning of respondent to find out if they had anything peculiar about their cycle. The number of days of menstrual flow on menarche and number of pads use per day were in the questionnaire.
Results: It was observed that 148(87.6%) respondents had regular length of menstrual cycle, particularly in the age groups 20-22 and 23-26 years which recorded 39 and 43 respondents respectively. Irregular menstrual cycle was found in 21(12.4%) respondents, which showed its peak at the age group of 17-19(33.3%) years, between age groups. It was also observed that 118(69.8%) respondents had painful menstrual flow, out of which 71(60.2%) had mild pain, 30(29.7%) had moderate pain while 17(14.4%) had severe pain. Result of length of menstrual cycle between single and married respondents showed that, 20(71.4%) of single respondents had short menstrual length compared to 8(28.6%) married respondents of corresponding short menstrual length. It was revealed that in 148(87.6) respondents that had regular menstrual cycle type, 106(71.6%) menstrual flow was average, while in 31(21.0%), it was scanty and heavy in 11(7.4%) respondents. 10(47.6%) respondent had average irregular menstrual cycle, while 9(42.9%) and 2(9.5%) respondents had scanty and heavy irregular menstrual cycles The result showed no significant variation in frequency of menstrual cycle (p=0.5). 99(58.6%) of respondents did no physical exercise; while 70(41.4%) did at least 30 minutes exercise (p=0.38). 101(59.8%) respondents belong to high upper, 51(30.2%) in upper-middle and 17(10.0%) belonged to lower socioeconomic status (p=0.14). 135(80.0%) respondents had daily fast food habits, out of which 95(80.5%) had positive history of pain and 34(20.0%) had no daily fast food (P=0.80). 30(17.8) respondents were underweight, 120(71.0%) had average weight and 19(11.2%) respondents were overweight (p=0.20).
Conclusion: Study has established mean age at menarche, menstrual pattern and menstrual disorder (pain) in relation to BMI, exercise and socioeconomic factor among female Medical Students of University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was very high among the female medical students. Although further research is needed, as relationship between Menstrual cycle, obesity, diet and exercise are conflicting with other studies.