Study of gynecological problems of adolescent girls attending gynaecology outpatient department at tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: The most striking change in adolescent girls is the onset of menstruation. After menarche, common menstrual abnormalities that the female adolescent may encounter include premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, prolonged menstrual bleeding, and emotional disturbances, In present study, we evaluated gynaecological problems of adolescent girls attending outpatient gynaecology department at tertiary care centre. Material and Methods: Present study was prospective, observational study, conducted in adolescent girls (10-19 years age) attending to the outpatient department of Obstetrics and gynaecology suffering from various gynaecological problems, willing to participate. Results: During study period, total 396 adolescent girls visited gynaecology outpatient department were considered for present study. Most cases belonged to 17-19 years age (52.8 %) followed by 14-16 years age (37.4 %) In study cases, menstrual complaints (67.7 %) were most common indication to visit OPD, followed by complaints like irregular cycles (48.5 %), pain in abdomen (29.8 %), abnormal vaginal discharge (13.9 %), acne and hirsutism (13.6 %) and obesity (11.4 %). Other less common complaints were delayed puberty (4.5 %), Bartholin cyst/abscess (3.3 %), breast diseases (2.8 %), mass per abdomen (0.8 %) and urogenital malformations (0.8 %). On basis of history and relevant investigations, menstrual cycle related gynaecological problems such as dysmenorrhea (24.7 %), oligomenorrhoea (19.7 %), menorrhagia (16.9 %), metrorrhagia (14.9 %) and hypomenorrhea (11.4 %) were noted. Amenorrhea was noted in 9.8 % cases, 1.5 % had primary amenorrhea while 8.3 % cases had secondary amenorrhea. Other problems were anaemia (28.8 %), urinary tract infection (19.7 %), PID (12.4 %), teenage pregnancy (2.3 %) and ovarian cyst (1.0 %). Conclusion: In present study menstrual cycle related gynaecological problems (dysmenorrhea, oligomenorrhoea, menorrhagia, hypomenorrhea, amenorrhea), anemia, urinary tract infection and PID were common in adolescent girls attending gynaecology OPD.