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Why Do Some Spanish Nursing Students with Menstrual Pain Fail to Consult Healthcare Professionals?

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Diego Ramos-Pichardo

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • Ángela María Ortega-Galán

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • María Teresa Iglesias-López

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Crta. Pozuelo-Majadahonda km 1800, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ana Abreu-Sánchez

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • Elia Fernández-Martínez

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a problem that affects a large percentage of young women worldwide. Alarmingly, the majority of these women choose to self-medicate rather than consult a healthcare professional, despite the risks involved. The present study aimed to explore the reasons why undergraduate nursing students do not consult health care professionals regarding their menstrual pain. A qualitative study was conducted using an open question: “Why didn’t you consult a healthcare professional?” within the context of a research project on primary dysmenorrhea among nursing students at the University of Huelva, Spain. The responses of 202 women were analyzed using content analysis. Three categories were identified: assessment of the pain experienced, expectations, and experiences of professional care and selfcare. We found a striking normalization of the problem; notably, students downplayed the importance of the problem, considering that it was not worth consulting a physician. Furthermore, there was a notable degree of self-medication using non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). These results may be useful for orienting policies to raise social awareness of this problem and for designing health education strategies aimed at women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Diego Ramos-Pichardo & Ángela María Ortega-Galán & María Teresa Iglesias-López & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Elia Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Why Do Some Spanish Nursing Students with Menstrual Pain Fail to Consult Healthcare Professionals?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8173-:d:440388
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen X Chen & Carol Shieh & Claire B Draucker & Janet S Carpenter, 2018. "Reasons women do not seek health care for dysmenorrhea," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1-2), pages 301-308, January.
    2. Zofia Barcikowska & Elżbieta Rajkowska-Labon & Magdalena Emilia Grzybowska & Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon & Katarzyna Zorena, 2020. "Inflammatory Markers in Dysmenorrhea and Therapeutic Options," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Seear, Kate, 2009. "The etiquette of endometriosis: Stigmatisation, menstrual concealment and the diagnostic delay," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 1220-1227, October.
    4. María Laura Parra-Fernández & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Juan Diego Ramos-Pichardo & María Teresa Iglesias-López & Elia Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea among University Students in the South of Spain and Family Influence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Elia Fernández-Martínez & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & María Laura Parra-Fernández, 2019. "The Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Quality of Life Among Spanish Female University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-12, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Remedios López-Liria & Lucía Torres-Álamo & Francisco A. Vega-Ramírez & Amelia V. García-Luengo & José M. Aguilar-Parra & Rubén Trigueros-Ramos & Patricia Rocamora-Pérez, 2021. "Efficacy of Physiotherapy Treatment in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Ya-Lin Fu & Chia-Ling Yang & Shu-Chuan Yu & Yun-Hsuan Lin & Hsiao-Pei Hsu & Chiu-Mieh Huang, 2021. "Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Menstrual Distress during Clinical Practice: A Q-Methodology Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-10, March.

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