Determinants of dysmenorrhea among female adolescents; results from a community-based cohort study in Amsterdam

Research QuestionWe investigated the contribution of sociodemographic, psychosocial, lifestyle and reproductive factors up to the age of 11-12, to the occurrence of dysmenorrhea at age 15-16 within the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD)-study.DesignWe used data of 1038 female adolescents. Participants baseline characteristics were obtained using self-reported questionnaires up to the age of 11-12, as well as using obstetric information of their mothers during pregnancy. Dysmenorrhea was assessed at the age of 15-16, and was deemed present if an adolescent reported menstrual abdominal and/or back pain and therefore took medication and/or hormonal contraception. Using a backward selection approach, potential determinants of dysmenorrhea were selected and multivariable associations were determined.ResultsThe overall prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 49.5% among the participants.Intake of 3-4.5 sugar-sweetened beverages per day and higher gynecological age were significantly associated with a higher occurrence of dysmenorrhea in the final model, which explained 8.1% of the total variance in the occurrence of dysmenorrhea. We did not find significant associations between the occurrence of dysmenorrhea and sociodemographic or psychosocial factors.ConclusionsOur investigation of various potential risk factors for dysmenorrhea suggests that the diet and reproductive factors are particularly important predictors of the occurrence of dysmenorrhea among young adolescents. Specifically, sugar-sweetened beverages and higher gynaecological age predicted the occurrence of dysmenorrhea. Other lifestyle factors have also been identified as possible risk factors. Using this knowledge, effective strategies can be developed to reduce the burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescents and to provide appropriate care for those suffering from the condition.