Body Dissatisfaction on Top of Depressive Mood among Adolescents with Severe Dysmenorrhea

Objectives: This study aims to determine whether adolescent girls with severe dysmenorrhea (SD) have different psychological characteristics from their peers. Study design: Cross-sectional survey (SMASH 02). Settings: Nationally representative sample of adolescents attending post-mandatory education. Participants: N = 7548, of whom 3340 were females, aged 16-20 years. Intervention: Self-administered, anonymous survey consisted of 565 items on 4 main topics: sociodemographic determinants of health, health status, health behaviors, and health care use. Outcomes: Body image variables, mental health, and associated variables like sexual abuse and health perceptions. Bivariate analysis and binomial logistic regression controlling for explanatory variables were performed. Results: 12.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.0-14) declared SD. Compared to their peers, subjects with SD were more likely to report depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.73; 95% Cl: 1.38-2.15), have a higher gynecological age (AOR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05-1.20), and attend vocational school (AOR: 1.33; 95% Cl: 1.00-1.76). Moreover, the proportion of those reporting dissatisfaction with their body appearance was higher (AOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.02-2.22). Conclusion: Patients with SD not only show a different profile from their peers in terms of their mental health academic track and gynecological age, but they are also more dissatisfied with their body appearance. Clinicians should pay particular attention to patients with SD and offer them a global evaluation, bearing in mind what factors can be associated with SD.