• Luana Brito Dos Santos, Isabelle Ribeiro Barbosa, Thaissa Hamana de Macedo Dantas, Camilla Medeiros Araujo, Jardelina Hermecina Dantas, Caroline Wanderley Souto Ferreira, Saionara Maria Aires da Câmara, and Diego Dantas.
• Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde do Trairi - Santa Cruz (RN), Brazil.
• Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2022 Jan 1; 68 (1): 31-36.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea in a sample of adult women.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out with women aged between 19 and 49 years from a city of northeastern Brazil. Sociodemographic, gynecological, and obstetric variables were assessed by questionnaires and interviews. Dysmenorrhea was measured by self-report, and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale measured the intensity of pain. Statistical analyses included χ2 test, ANOVA, and logistic regression.ResultsThe average age was 33.2±9.1 years and the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 56% for the whole sample. The average duration of symptoms was 2.7±1.8 days and the mean intensity was 6.1±2.6. The previous cesarean section was associated with a higher rate of primary dysmenorrhea (PR=2.33; 95%CI 1.11-4.90) when considering the whole sample. Women who aged 25-39 years and are insufficiently active had higher rates of primary dysmenorrhea (PR=5.24; 95%CI 1.08-27.31).ConclusionPrimary dysmenorrhea has a high prevalence in young adults, adults, and middle-aged women. Cesarean section and being physically inactive was associated with increased rates of dysmenorrhea among adult women.

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