---
title: What are normal menstrual patterns in teenage girls? | Niyora
description: Most had normal cycles. About 20% reported severe PMS and 17.2% had severe period pain.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-characteristics-of-the-menstrual-cycle-in-nigerian-schoolgirls-and-the-1994/
---

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- What are normal menstrual patterns in teenage girls?

Survey study, 1994

# What are normal menstrual patterns in teenage girls?

Most had normal cycles. About 20% reported severe PMS and 17.2% had severe period pain.

 Early or limited evidence

361 Nigerian schoolgirls, average age 16.5 years, about 2.9 years after starting periods

## What they did

361 Nigerian schoolgirls (average age 16.5 years, about 2.9 years after starting periods) answered questions about their menstrual cycles, period pain, and PMS.

## What they found

Less than 5% had cycles longer than 38 days or bleeding lasting longer than 8 days. 13% had irregular cycles. 17.2% had severe period pain. About 20% had severe PMS with symptoms mainly of mood changes, feeling over-aroused, and trouble concentrating.

## What it means for you

Most Nigerian schoolgirls have normal periods, but some experience severe PMS and period pain affecting concentration and mood. The study was from 1994, so menstrual patterns in Nigeria may be different now.

361

Schoolgirls in study

20%

With severe PMS

17.2%

With severe period pain

## About the study

Original title The characteristics of the menstrual cycle in Nigerian schoolgirls and the implications for school health programmes Authors Fakeye O, Adegoke A Journal African journal of medicine and medical sciences Year 1994 Study design Survey study What was tested None Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7839939/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7839939/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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How common are PMS, PMDD, anxiety, and depression in rural adolescent girls?

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Does low calcium intake relate to PMS in teenage girls?

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How common is premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls?

Non-randomised trial, 2025

Does education about yoga help treat PMS symptoms?

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