Patterns & Problems of Menstruation amongst the Adolescent Girls Residing in the Urban Slum

Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for females indicating her capability for procreation and abnormalities of menstruation are a major gynaecological problem in adolescence. However, variability in menstrual cycle characteristics and menstrual disorders are common. The objectives of the study were to find out the age of menarche among the Adolescent girls of the urban slum, to study different menstrual patterns and practices among them & to find out the prevalence and types of menstrual disorders in Adolescent girls. A Cross sectional study was undertaken in an urban slum area of GMC, Miraj for period of 3 months. All unmarried adolescent girls from 10–19 years of age, who had attained menarche were included. Information was gathered on menarcheal age, menstrual patterns, practices & problems using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 268 girls were interviewed. Mother was the source of information regarding menstruation in 45.5% of girls. Mean age of menarche was 13.43 + 1.01 years. 21.3% adolescents had abnormal cycle length, 24.2% had irregular menstrual cycle, 67.2% experienced dysmenorrhoea & 51.5% had premenstrual syndrome. Significant association was found between cycle length, duration of menstruation & amount of flow. Out of 199 girls who had ever experienced menstrual problem, 31% had any consultation & of them only 45.2% consulted doctors. There is an urgent need for strong health educational activities among the adolescent girls, their parents and teachers for effective management of menstrual problems & improvement of their health seeking behavior as regards menstrual abnormalities.