A cross-sectional population-based study of menstrual function in adolescent girls
The authors performed a cross-sectional population-based descriptive study to determine the basic indices of menstrual function n 1340 girls aged from 10 to 18 years living in the central area of Russia (schoolchildren of secondary schools of Vologda). The age of menarche varied from 10 to 16 years and averaged 12.57 ± 0.03 years. In general, various disorders of menstrual function (menstruation longer than 7 days, profuse bloody discharge, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea) were found in 1/3 of 883 girls of Vologda (data of questionnaires and examination by gynecologists). Irregular menstruation statistically significantly more often were found in younger girls and for the first 2 years after menarche occurred. Dysmenorrhea statistically significantly more often was observed in older girls and in those girls who had menarche more than 2 years before. Duration and profusion of bloody discharge did not depend on age or time elapsed after menarche. Uterine bleeding at puberty was found in 54 (6.2%) girls, of them anemia (hemoglobin 120g/l and less) - in 11 (20.4%).