Menstrual Cycle Irregularity and Examination Stress Among Female Medical Students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (original) (raw)

Background: Menstrual irregularity is de ned as any differences in the frequency, irregularity of onset, duration of ow, or volume of blood from the regular menstrual cycle. It is an important medical issue that many medical students suffer from. The goal of this study was to determine how examination stress affected the regular menstrual cycle and investigated the most common types of irregularities among female medical students at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students between September and October 2021 at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 457 female students aged 18-30 years were selected through strati ed random sampling. A validated online questionnaire collected data about demographics, menstrual irregularities during exams, type of irregularities, menstrual history, family history of menstrual irregularities, premenstrual symptoms, medication use, medical and family consultation, and absenteeism. The chi-squared test (χ2) was used to analyze the associations between variables. Results: A total of 48.2% of participants had menstrual irregularities during exams. The most common irregularity was dysmenorrhea (70.9%), followed by a lengthened cycle (45.6%), and heavy bleeding (41.9%). A total of 93% of medical students suffered from premenstrual symptoms and 60.4% used medication to relieve menstrual irregularities, with herbal medication and home remedies, and 44.4% of the students missed classes due to menstrual irregularities. Conclusion: A total of 48.2% of participants had menstrual irregularities during exams. The most common irregularity was dysmenorrhea (70.9%), followed by a lengthened cycle (45.6%), and heavy bleeding (41.9%). A total of 93% of medical students suffered from premenstrual symptoms and 60.4% used medication to relieve menstrual irregularities, with herbal medication and home remedies, and 44.4% of the students missed classes due to menstrual irregularities.