Prevalence of dysmenorrhea, functional and emotional impact, and its relationship with physical activity among Pamukkale University students

Dysmenorrhea is characterized by a dull, cramp-like pain localized in the lower abdomen during menstruation, typically beginning just before menstrual bleeding and lasting 24–72 hours. It exerts both functional and emotional burdens on women, particularly contributing to school absenteeism and mood disturbances among female students. Alongside pharmacological treatments, various alternative methods are employed to manage symptoms. Regular exercise is thought to serve as a protective factor against the functional and emotional impacts of dysmenorrhea. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among Pamukkale University students, identify their coping strategies, and examine the relationships between dysmenorrhea, physical activity levels, and functional and emotional outcomes. Between January 1 and April 30, 2025, a cross-sectional analytical survey was administered face-to-face to 297 undergraduate female students at Pamukkale University's Kınıklı Campus (mean age 20.73 ± 1.99 years). The 42-item questionnaire included eight sociodemographic items, 13 items on menstrual characteristics, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the 14-item Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale (FEDS), and the 7-item International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 82.2%, with a mean VAS pain score of 6.70 ± 1.83. Factors significantly associated with higher functional and emotional impact scores included the timing of dysmenorrhea onset and duration, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and heat application, increased school absenteeism and medical consultations due to dysmenorrhea, and use of contraceptive methods for non-contraceptive purposes (p<0.05). No significant associations were found between physical activity or metabolic characteristics and the functional or emotional impact of dysmenorrhea. Implementing educational support programs can equip students with effective pain-management and coping strategies targeting both functional limitations and emotional well-being. Primary care physicians should adopt a biopsychosocial approach when treating dysmenorrhea, providing counseling, pain control, and psychological support to preserve patients' quality of life, daily functioning, and mental health. Keywords: dysmenorrhea, university students, functional impact, emotional impact, physical activity