Distúrbios menstruais em mulheres de 15-54 anos de idade na cidade de Pelotas, RS

Abstract

To assess the prevalence of menstrual disturbances and their distribution according to parity and demographic, social and behavioral characteristics among 1.078 women aged 15-54 years, a cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in Pelotas, Brazil. The menstrual disturbances investigated included heavy menstrual bleeding, inter-menstrual bleeding, short cycle, long cycle, and prolonged menses. Prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Global prevalence of menstrual disturbances was 46.4% (95%CI 43.3-49.4). The most prevalent disturbance was heavy menstrual bleeding (23.2%; 20.5-25.8), followed-up by short cycle (19.2%; 16.6-21.8), long cycle (14.8%; 12.7-16.9), inter-menstrual bleeding (11.1%; 9.1-13.2), and prolonged menses (7.9%; 6.3-9.4). Menstrual disturbances are frequent at the population and are more prevalent among women with 35 years or older, with low level of formal education, high parity, with tubal ligation, and smokers.