Frequency of psychological stress among women with new onset menstrual disorders amid corona pandemic lockdown

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of psychological stress and associated demographic factors among women with new onset menstrual disorders amid corona pandemic lockdown. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pakistan Air Force Faisal Base Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from 1(st) April 2020 to 31(st) July 2020. All women presented in the outpatient department or sought advice through telemedicine with new onset menstrual disorders during lockdown of COVID-19 were included. Information like age, parity, educational status, employment status, last menstrual period, previous cycle, new onset dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome were collected. Furthermore, level of stress was assessed by using 10 item Perceived Stress Sale questionnaire described by Sheldon Cohen in 1983. RESULTS: Of total 916 women who consulted the department physically or through telemedicine, 59 (31.3%) had new onset disease. The frequency of different types of new onset menstrual problem were scanty menstrual flow 21 (35.6%), oligomenorrhea 6 (10.2%), menorrhagia 5 (8.5%), amenorrhea 4 (6.8%), and polymenorrhagia 2 (3.4%). New onset premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea were present in 39 (66.1%) and 31 (52.5%) respectively. A significant association of premenstrual syndrome was observed with age (p-value 0.003), parity (p-value 0.045), educational status (p-value 0.007), and menstrual pattern (p-value 0.037). Furthermore, moderate stress was observed in 57 (96.6%) while severe in 2 (3.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Among women presented with new onset menstrual disorders in gynecological outpatient, a considerable number reflected increased level of psychological stress during COVID-19 lock down.