Menstrual Health Symptoms and Literacy among Young Women in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore menstrual cycle symptoms, information sources, and menstrual health literacy in young women (age 13-25) and those who menstruate in Aotearoa New Zealand DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional online survey in Aotearoa New Zealand was used. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 1334 respondents (age 13-25 years, mean age 19.8) who had had at least 3 periods and were currently living in New Zealand. INTERVENTIONS: An online survey was hosted by Qualtrics between October 2021 and January 2022. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Information was obtained on menstrual cycle characteristics and symptoms and menstrual health literacy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Respondents reported high rates of regular dysmenorrhea (89%), fatigue/tiredness (78.1%), and mood changes (72.5%) associated with menstruation. A higher proportion of rangatahi (younger generation) Māori reported irregular cycles (53.5%) compared with non-Māori respondents (41.7%). Normalization of symptoms, especially pain (80.2%), was high. Most respondents recognized the need to see a doctor for period pain that impacted their daily lives (84.7%). However, noncyclical pelvic pain (45.7%), heavy bleeding (39%), and intermenstrual bleeding (29%) were less likely to be recognized as symptoms that require a doctor's visit. The main sources of menstrual health knowledge before menarche were a family member (74.2%) and health and physical education classes at school (63.7%). Many young people reported receiving little or no information about periods before menarche (37.9%), with very few respondents receiving information on how to manage menstrual symptoms (15.1%). Menstrual symptoms are common, and the provision of culturally safe information and opportunities to learn is important for young people, whānau, schools, and health care practitioners.