THE PREVALENCE OF DYSMENORRHEA, DYSPAREUNIA, PELVIC PAIN, AND IRRITABLE-BOWEL-SYNDROME IN PRIMARY-CARE PRACTICES

Objective: To determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, p elvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in a clinical population of r eproductive-age women. Methods: A ten-page questionnaire was administe red to a consecutive sample of women age 18-45 years who were approach ed in the waiting areas of two obstetrics and gynecology practices and three family medicine practices in central North Carolina. Of 701 wom en approached to fill out the questionnaire, 581 (83%) returned comple ted forms suitable for analysis. Results: The reported prevalence of d ysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome wa s 90, 46, 39, and 12%, respectively. Low income was found to be a risk factor for dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia, and African-American race wa s found to be a risk factor for pelvic pain. Pelvic pain was also more common among women 26-30 years old. Otherwise, dysmenorrhea, dyspareu nia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome were not associated wit h age, parity, marital status, race, income, or education. Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome are common complaints among women of reproductive age and are not cons istently associated with demographic risk factors. Therefore, inquiry about these pelvic pain complaints should be a routine part of health care for women.