CHRONIC GYNECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS REPORTED BY US WOMEN - FINDINGS FROMTHE NATIONAL-HEALTH INTERVIEW SURVEY, 1984 TO 1992

Objectives. This study sought to describe prevalence rates of chronic gynecological conditions and correlates of these conditions in a repre sentative sample of US women. Methods. National Health Interview Surve y data from 1984 through 1992 for women aged 18 to 50 were used. Resul ts. The estimated annual prevalence rate for the reported presence of one or more gynecological conditions. was 97.1 per 1000 women. Menstru al disorders were most common, with an annual prevalence rate of 53.0 per 1000 women. Adnexal conditions and fibroids were the next most com mon conditions, with rates per 1000 women of 16.6 and 9.2, respectivel y. Prolapse, endometriosis, and fibroids were the conditions most like ly to lead to hysterectomy within the year prior to the interview. Mor e than three quarters (77.1%) of women with gynecological conditions h ad talked with a doctor in the previous year Concerning their conditio n. and 28.8% reported spending 1 or more days in bed in the previous y ear because of their condition. Conclusions. Nearly a tenth of America n women aged 18 to 50 report having one or more chronic gynecological conditions annually, the most common being disorders of menstruation.