Correlates of dysmenorrhea. A challenge to past stereotypes.
A study was conducted to explore the relationship of demographic variables, gynecologic history variables, and menstrual attitudes to three measures of dysmenorrhea derived from the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. One hundred ninety-three women, 18 to 35 years old, from five neighborhoods in a large, metropolitan city comprised the sample population. The strongest correlates found were attitudes toward menstruation, though associations between dysmenorrhea and items reflecting traditional/feminist dimensions were absent. Further precision in defining dysmenorrhea and a comprehensive, health-oriented approach to dealing with menstrual distress is indicated. Recommendations about the nurse's role in counseling dysmenorrheic women and promoting more positive menstrual attitudes are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003376:Counseling; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008598:Menstruation; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires