Symptom assessment related to the menstrual cycle to predict endometriosis and adenomyosis in university students

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of endometriosis and adenomyosis among university students and identify potential predictors of these diseases among these symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a private university in northeastern Brazil. The students were asked to complete an electronic questionnaire using a Google Form link. Participants were asked about general information, the menstrual cycle, and bleeding symptoms. The electronic questionnaire results were compared between two groups: students who self-reported endometriosis/adenomyosis (ENDO/ADENO) and students who self-reported no endometriosis/adenomyosis (NO ENDO/ADENO). Results: Four (2.9%) students self-reported adenomyosis alone, 26 (18.6%) students self-reported endometriosis alone, and two (1.4%) students self-reported an associated diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Participants were divided into two groups: ENDO/ADENO (n=32) and NO ENDO/ADENO (n=108). Participants in the ENDO/ADENO group reported more severe dysmenorrhea, worsening dysmenorrhea in the last 12 months, frequent absence from class, dyspareunia, and dysuria. Worsening dysmenorrhea was a predictor of endometriosis/adenomyosis in university female students (odds ratio = 5.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.91–17.22, p=0.002). Conclusions: The assessment of menstrual cycle symptoms can be used as a screening tool for patients at risk of endometriosis/adenomyosis. The progressive worsening of dysmenorrhea in the last 12 months was a predictor of endometriosis/adenomyosis diagnosis.