Comparison the Frequency of Menstrual Disorders (Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea and Premenstrual Syndrome) between Athletes and Non-Athletes Female Students of Tabriz Universities, Tabriz, Iran

Sehati Shafaie, Fahimeh; Matin Homaei, Hasan; Zoodfekr, Ladan

doi:10.22038/ijogi.2013.844

Comparison the Frequency of Menstrual Disorders (Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea and Premenstrual Syndrome) between Athletes and Non-Athletes Female Students of Tabriz Universities, Tabriz, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fahimeh Sehati Shafaie ¹

Hasan Matin Homaei ²

Ladan Zoodfekr ³

¹ M.Sc. of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

² Assistant professor, Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.

³ M.Sc. of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2013.844

Abstract

Introduction: Amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea are including menstrual disorders that are more common in athlete and professional athletes. Primary dysmenorrhea is shown in more than 90% of adult women. Premenstrual Syndrome has ability to interfere with the normal aspects of life. Since exercise and sport are effective factors on these disorders. So the aim of this study was to compare the frequency of menstrual disorders (amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome) between athletes and non-athletes female students.
Methods: This Ex-post facto study was conducted on 360 female university student aged 18-28 years who educated in medical and non medical fields of Tabriz universities, Tabriz, Iran, 2010. Sampling was selectively and purposefully. Samples completed demographic sports and Dickerson questionnaires and Visual Analogue scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16, descriptive and inferential (chi-square) statistics tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Both athletes and non-athletes groups had no significant differences in terms of frequency of amenorrhea (10.55% VS. 8.88%) (p=0.59), oligomenorrhea (18.33% VS. 15.55%) (p=0.26) and premenstrual syndrome (55.88% in athletes and 66.11% in non athletes) (p=0.15). Also we couldn't find any significant difference in dysmenorrhea between athletes (39.44%) and non athletes (43.88%) (p=0.39).
Conclusion: Physical education can improve premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Also it is necessary to be more concerned about nutrition that is one of the most important factors in amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea.

Keywords

Amenorrhea

Athletes

Dysmenorrhea

Oligomenorrhea

Premenstrual Syndrome