Munro Courtney B, Walker Emma N, Schembri Rachel, Moussaoui Dehlia, Grover Sonia R
Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2024 Feb;37(1):18-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.09.004. Epub 2023 Sep 16.
Few studies have explored what specific outcome measures contained in assessment tools for period and pelvic pain are most relevant to adolescents. Co-design is a valuable method of ensuring input from those with lived experience. The Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis Periods and Pelvic Pain in Australia (LongSTEPPP) Co-Design Periods Survey comprised an anonymous online survey of adolescents' experience of menstruation to inform patient-reported outcome measures for the larger 5-year project.
Adolescents aged 12-18 years whose periods had commenced at least 3 months previously and with demonstrated capacity to consent were invited to participate in an online survey. Recruitment was primarily via social media channels.
Of the 1811 adolescents who participated, 85% reported that periods had a "moderate" or greater impact on their life. Pain (90.7%), heavy flow (56.2%), and worry about leakage (49%) were common reasons for missed activities. Menstrual symptoms were wide-ranging and included cramping, nausea, poor energy, and impacts on mood. When asked where adolescents sought assistance with their periods, 39.8% had seen their general practitioner, 21.3% their school nurse, and almost 1 in 10 had consulted a mental health practitioner (9.3%). To manage menstrual symptoms, heat packs (66.0%), over-the-counter medications (55.8%), and prescription medications (28.6%) were used.
We found a lack of menstrual health awareness in adolescents. Periods had a significant effect on their lives, and adolescents commonly missed activities. In managing menstruation, a wide range of practitioners were consulted. Nearly a third were prescribed medication to manage their periods. These findings have directed the longitudinal study as to how best to capture outcome measures that reflect the impact of periods on adolescents.
很少有研究探讨经期和盆腔疼痛评估工具中包含的哪些具体结果指标与青少年最为相关。共同设计是确保有实际生活经验者参与的一种有价值的方法。澳大利亚青少年子宫内膜异位症经期和盆腔疼痛纵向研究（LongSTEPPP）共同设计经期调查包括一项关于青少年月经经历的匿名在线调查，为这个为期5年的大型项目提供患者报告的结果指标。
邀请年龄在12 - 18岁、月经初潮至少3个月且有同意能力的青少年参与在线调查。招募主要通过社交媒体渠道进行。
在参与的1811名青少年中，85%报告经期对他们的生活有“中度”或更大影响。疼痛（90.7%）、经量过多（56.2%）和担心渗漏（49%）是错过活动的常见原因。月经症状多种多样，包括痛经、恶心、精力不佳以及对情绪的影响。当被问及青少年在经期向何处寻求帮助时，39.8%的人看过全科医生，21.3%的人看过学校护士，近十分之一的人咨询过心理健康从业者（9.3%）。为了缓解月经症状，使用了热敷袋（66.0%）、非处方药（55.8%）和处方药（28.6%）。
我们发现青少年缺乏月经健康意识。经期对他们的生活有重大影响，青少年经常错过活动。在应对月经问题时，他们咨询了广泛的从业者。近三分之一的人被开了药来应对经期。这些发现为纵向研究指明了方向，即如何最好地获取反映经期对青少年影响的结果指标。
