Age at Menarche, Menstrual Pattern and Premenstrual Symptoms of Female Students of Islamia University Bahawalpur

Objective: Population based studies on normal menstrual cycles, variability in menarcheal age and premenstrual symptoms are limited in Pakistan. Knowledge on the awareness about normal menstrual pattern, variability in menarcheal age and premenstrual symptoms is necessary for the patient education and for the evaluation of gynecological disorder. Study Design: A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2016 to December 2016 to determine the age at menarche and menstrual pattern and associated symptoms of menstrual cycle among students of Islamia University Bahawalpur. Questionnaires were developed and distributed among the consenting participants. Four hundred and twenty six females were included in the study. Result: Result revealed that their ages at menarche ranged from 9years to 16years and the mean age at menarche was 13.5 ±1.28years. Their menstrual cycle lengths ranged from 21–35days with mean menstrual cycle length of 28.9± 0.9 28days. The mean duration of menstrual flow was 4.7days. Fifty percent (n= 150) had menses lasting 3–5days while 35% had menses lasting over 6-8 days and 12% have lasting more  than 8 days. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 53.99% (n=230) while PMS was 48% (n=207). 156 (36.6%) females having backache and abdominal pain, 38 (8.9%) having nausea, 109 (25.5%) having anxiety and depression, 52 (12.2%) having breast tenderness, 53 (12.4%) having headache, 12 (2.8%) having vomiting. Conclusion: In the study medium age of menarche exist among the participants that is menarche age is neither too earlier and nor too late. A significant number of participant’s complaint of premenstrual symptoms, irregular menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhea.