Influence of menstrual pain and symptoms on activities of daily living and work absenteeism: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence of menstrual pain among women of reproductive age and its impact on their daily lives and professional responsibilities.

METHODS

A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in July and August 2022. Phone interviews were carried out using a random system to select women aged between 15 and 49 years old. The questionnaire included sociodemographic variables, contraception method used, characteristics of the menstrual pattern (pain and bleeding amount), its influence on their working life, and if they would need to resort to sick leaves due to the impairments arising from the menstrual symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 1800 women representative of the Spanish population took part in this study. 72.6% of them report menstrual pain, with 45.9% requiring medication. 35.9% identify their menstrual bleeding as intense or very intense. 38.8% assert that menstrual discomforts affect their everyday life. 34.3% would have required not attending their work activities or having requested sick leave due to the discomforts, although only 17.3% of the women finally requested so, mainly because 58.4% considered that it might imply consequences in their professional environment, especially those with Higher Education. The women who report more discomfort are the youngest ones and those who resort to condoms as a contraceptive method (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Menstrual pain is a prevalent problem among women of reproductive age and can affect their everyday life and professional environment, requiring work leaves on some occasions.

Women’s Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenge for women’s sexual and reproductive health care. The objective of this research was to analyse access to sexual and reproductive health services during confinement in Spain. (2) Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample that was stratified by age in July and August 2020. (3) Results: A total of 1800 women were invited to participate, obtaining a response rate of 98.72%. The frequency of sexual relationships reduced during confinement. Counselling was offered both in person (30.7%) and telematically (39%), although there were also women who experienced access problems (30%). Of those women who required some LARC, only half had access to it, mainly due to the contact difficulties as a result of the limited number of consultations with their prescribing physicians. The use of emergency oral contraception and the use of services for the voluntary interruption of pregnancy were considerably reduced. The women who stated having been victims of gender-based violence were those that lived with their aggressors during confinement and had children. (4) Conclusions: It is necessary to ensure sexual and reproductive rights in confinement times and, for such a purpose, telemedicine can be a good tool that helps to avoid unmet contraceptive needs and unplanned pregnancies.

Results of the National Contraception Survey Conducted by Sociedad Española de Contracepción (2020)

Background: The National Contraception Survey conducted by Sociedad Española de Contracepción intends to know the sexual and contraceptive habits of Spanish women of reproductive age. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study with random sample selection was conducted with women aged from 14 to 49 years old in July and August 2020. Results: A total of 1801 women participated in the study, of which 78.7% used some contraception method during their sexual relationships. The most frequently used methods were condoms (31.3%) and combined oral contraceptives (18.5%) at their last sexual encounter. A total of 25.7% used both condoms and pills, especially younger women and those who had no steady partners (p < 0.001). Use of Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives continues to be low, although a slight increase in their use is observed, and they are recommended for 50% of the users who need contraception. Counselling on contraception was provided to 64.3% of the women, mainly by their gynaecologists. Regarding the decision to use a contraceptive method, the one suggested by health professionals was more influential, although this was not the case for women aged less than 20 years old (p < 0.001). A total of 38.4% of the women have used emergency oral contraception at least once and 66.8% of those who do not make continuous use of contraception methods do so out of personal choice. Conclusions: It is necessary to deepen work on counselling and awareness among the population towards the use of efficient contraceptive methods that prevent unplanned pregnancies.