Stress levels have been identified as a significant factor in the development of primary dysmenorrhea

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 1 views

**The Relationship of Stress Levels to Primary Dysmenorrhea in the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra**

Introduction

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition that affects millions of women worldwide, causing severe cramps in the lower abdominal or pelvic area, usually appearing before or during menstruation. The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea can vary between 45% to 95% among women of reproductive age. One of the main causes of primary dysmenorrhea is an increase in the production of chemicals called prostaglandins in the endometrium, which is often triggered by stress situations. Stress levels have been identified as a significant factor in the development of primary dysmenorrhea, and it is essential to understand the relationship between stress levels and primary dysmenorrhea events among students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra.

Background

Primary dysmenorrhea is a condition that affects women of reproductive age, causing severe cramps in the lower abdominal or pelvic area. The exact cause of primary dysmenorrhea is still unknown, but it is believed to be related to an increase in the production of prostaglandins in the endometrium. Stress levels have been identified as a significant factor in the development of primary dysmenorrhea, and it is essential to understand the relationship between stress levels and primary dysmenorrhea events among students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra. The Faculty of Medicine is known to have a high-stress environment, with students often experiencing high levels of stress due to the demanding curriculum and clinical rotations.

Research Purposes

This study aims to measure stress levels, primary dysmenorrhea events, and analyze the relationship between stress levels and primary dysmenorrhea events among students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2019. The study aims to identify the relationship between stress levels and primary dysmenorrhea events, and to understand the factors that contribute to primary dysmenorrhea among medical students. The study also aims to provide insights into the development of strategies to assist students in managing their stress and primary dysmenorrhea.

Research Methods

This study uses a cross-sectional design, which is part of analytic studies with total data collection. Respondents consisted of students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2019 who had undergone two months of lectures and met inclusion criteria. Data related to stress is obtained through filling out the DASS 42 questionnaire, while the data regarding dysmenorrhea is obtained using a numerical assessment scale (NRS). After data collection, the information obtained is processed with the help of a computer program and analyzed using the Chi-Square test.

Research Result

From the results of the study, 84 female students were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Among respondents, 51 female students (60.7%) experienced stress, while 81 female students (96.4%) reported experiencing primary dysmenorrhea. From the stress group, the majority experienced a moderate stress level, which was 24 people (28.6%). Although there are indications that many respondents experience stress and dysmenorrhea, statistical tests show no significant relationship between stress levels and primary dysmenorrhea events, with p-value of 0.617.

Conclusion

From this study, it can be concluded that there is no significant relationship between stress levels and primary dysmenorrhea events in the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra. However, the study highlights the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to primary dysmenorrhea among medical students, and the need for further research to explore other factors that can contribute to primary dysmenorrhea. The study also emphasizes the importance of developing strategies to assist students in managing their stress and primary dysmenorrhea.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to explore other factors that can contribute to primary dysmenorrhea among medical students.
Strategies should be developed to assist students in managing their stress and primary dysmenorrhea.
A mental support program should be developed to support students in maintaining their physical and mental health.
The Faculty of Medicine should provide resources and support to students to help them manage their stress and primary dysmenorrhea.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study only included students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2019.
The study only measured stress levels and primary dysmenorrhea events, and did not explore other factors that may contribute to primary dysmenorrhea.
The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not be representative of the entire population of medical students.

Future Directions

This study highlights the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to primary dysmenorrhea among medical students. Future studies should explore other factors that can contribute to primary dysmenorrhea, and develop strategies to assist students in managing their stress and primary dysmenorrhea. The study also emphasizes the importance of developing a mental support program to support students in maintaining their physical and mental health.

References

[List of references cited in the study]

Appendix

[Appendix includes additional information, such as the DASS 42 questionnaire and the numerical assessment scale (NRS)]