Survey study, 2025
How common are painful periods, PMS, and heavy bleeding in teenage girls in Sudan?
Painful periods were most common at 56.8%, followed by PMS at 30.2% and heavy bleeding at 21%. However, these numbers come from Sudan only, so they may not apply elsewhere.
What they did
Researchers surveyed 162 teenage girls in Almatamah, Sudan using a questionnaire about their periods and symptoms. They also measured each girl's weight and blood iron levels (hemoglobin). They looked at which factors predicted who had which problems.
What they found
Of 162 girls, 56.8% had painful periods, 30.2% had PMS, and 21% had heavy bleeding. Only 13% said symptoms disrupted daily life, and 17.3% had sought medical help. Girls with more years since their first period were more likely to have heavy bleeding (adjusted odds ratio 1.69) and painful periods (adjusted odds ratio 1.55), but not PMS. Age, mother's education, and weight were not linked to menstrual problems.
What it means for you
Painful periods are very common in Sudanese teenage girls, but few get medical help. The longer a girl has been menstruating, the more she develops heavy bleeding or painful periods. The study was small and only included Sudan, so results may not apply to other countries. The researchers recommend girls should track their periods and receive menstrual health education.
56.8%
Girls with painful periods
30.2%
Girls with PMS
21%
Girls with heavy menstrual bleeding
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence and associated factors for dysmenorrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, and premenstrual syndrome in adolescent schoolgirls in Sudan
- Authors
- Salih Y, Hassan AA, AlHabardi N et al.
- Journal
- BMC women's health
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 162
- What was tested
- Not applicable
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03993-9
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2025
Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?
Survey study, 2023
How common are PMS, PMDD, anxiety, and depression in rural adolescent girls?
Survey study, 2026
Does low calcium intake relate to PMS in teenage girls?
Non-randomised trial, 2026
Does group counseling reduce PMS symptoms in school students?
Study, 2026
How common is premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls?
Non-randomised trial, 2025
Does education about yoga help treat PMS symptoms?