Sense of Coherence and Primary Dysmenorrhea in High School Girls in Finistere, France

Sense of Coherence and Primary Dysmenorrhea in High School Girls in Finistere: Cross-sectional Observational Study

This study evaluates the relation between sens of coherence and primary dysmenorrhea. Aself-questionnaire is completed by a sample of girls aged between 14 and 19, schooled in Finistère (France).

Primary dysmenorrhea affects more than 60% of adolescent girls. Menstrual pain increases absenteeism and lowers self-esteem and academic performance. Moreover, dysmenorrheal women suffer more depression and anxiety.

Sense of coherence (SOC) is composed of three items:

• comprehensibility: what the person understands about his illness
• manageability: what the person does to cope
• meaningfulness: what the disease means to the person. A high SOC score is related to good mental and physical health. The aim of this study will be to determine if there is a relationship between primary dysmenorrhea and the sense of coherence.

A self-questionnaire composed of the SOC-13 and a scale evaluating dysmenorrhea will be proposed in the voluntary high schools of Finistère (France) to the girls of the classes chosen at random.

Inclusion Criteria:

• student in high schools
• aged 14 and 19 years
• with menstrual cycle

Exclusion Criteria:

• Illiteracy
• student and parents opposition