Burden and risk factors of dysmenorrhea among students in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Dysmenorrhea is a prevalent gynecological condition that significantly impacts the daily functioning and quality of life of women. No true national prevalence has been reported in India. The objective of this review was to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and associated risk factors among Indian students.

A search was carried out using platforms including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published between 2000 and 2024. Study quality assessment was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for prevalence studies. Data analysis was done in RStudio. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed.

A total of 32 reports were analyzed, estimating an overall prevalence of dysmenorrhea at 70.2% among students in India. Regionally, the highest prevalence was reported in Central India (78.9%), followed by North (72.9%), South (71.3%), and West (63.9%). Risk factors for dysmenorrhea included prolonged bleeding (>5 days), presence of clots, a family history of the condition, physical inactivity, short exercise duration, and frequent consumption of fast food.

The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was found to be notably high among Indian students. Therefore, it is imperative for teachers and healthcare providers to support menstrual health awareness and management.