Comparison of the Lifestyle of Young Female Athletes with and without Dysmenorrhea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/c82e2875Keywords:
Dysmenorrhea, lifestyle, Prevalence, young female atheletesAbstract
Dysmenorrhea is painful cramps of the uterus during menstrual cycle. This study examined the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among female athletes and compared the lifestyle of athletes with dysmenorrhea to those without dysmenorrhea. 200 young female athletes participated in the study, out of which 83.5% athletes experienced dysmenorrhea and 16.5% athletes did not. By using lifestyle questionnaire, findings indicated that only 30% of women without dysmenorrhea had a poor personal relationships and poor work satisfaction as compared to 62.27% population with dysmenorrhea. Most athletes with dysmenorrhea reduced their physical activity (78.44%) during menses. 72.72% of athletes without dysmenorrhea had normal eating habits whereas athletes with dysmenorrhea had irregular meal times or used to skip their meals. By using personal-social questionnaire, findings indicated that most of the female athletes with dysmenorrhea had effect on physical functioning (68.26%), body pain (91.61%), vitality (64.67%), social functioning (68.26%), mental health (60.28%) and general health (65.26%). It is concluded that dysmenorrhea influences competitor’s quality of life, social conduct, dietary patterns, and their productive tasks. To prevent or reduce the incidence of dysmenorrhea, comprehensive lifestyle assessment, preventive health intervention, knowledge and awareness should be raised in female athletes through proper lifestyle education and health promotion measures.
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