Menstrual disorders and menstrual hygiene practices in higher secondary school girls

To study the menstrual problems and menstrual hygiene practices of adolescent girls in Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation.

Students of class XI and XII in the age group 15-19 years, belonging to ten Higher Secondary Schools within the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation area were selected for the study by multistage sampling procedure and screened using a pretested self evaluation questionnaire.

Menstrual disorders were reported in 21.1%. The most frequently reported problem during menstruation was dysmenorrhoea (72.4%) followed by oligomenorrhoea (11.3%). Only 11.5% of the girls who had menstrual problems sought treatment and majority from a gynecologist. Out of 81.5% girls who reported vaginal discharge, only 5.7% had abnormal discharge. Menstrual hygiene was adequate in the majority of girls.

Menstrual disorders are common in adolescence and can have significant consequences on future reproductive health.