Prevalence, diagnosis, and management of dysmenorrhea among Polish women: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Dysmenorrhea is a common condition that significantly impacts women's quality of life, yet it remains underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. This study aimed to assess its prevalence, clinical characteristics, diagnostic pathways, and treatment strategies among Polish women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,172 women aged 17-66 years (mean 29.4 ±8.7) using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, comorbidities, symptom profile, diagnostic processes, and treatment approaches. RESULTS: Dysmenorrhea was reported by 95.8% of participants, with 69.7% experiencing symptoms regularly. Pain intensity was high (mean visual analogue scale [VAS] 7.77 ±1.65), and most women reported impairment in daily activities (78.4%) and work performance (87%). The average number of sick leave days was 8.92 per year. Symptoms typically lasted 1-3 days and were frequently accompanied by systemic manifestations such as weakness, diarrhoea, back pain, and fatigue. Only 43% of respondents sought medical evaluation, with a mean diagnostic delay of 4.2 years. Among diagnosed cases (29.1%), endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and uterine fibroids were most common. Hormonal therapy was the most frequently used treatment (42.8%), followed by analgesics and surgical interventions. While 58.7% of participants reported improvement, 25% experienced no benefit. Treatment-related adverse effects were common (74.3%). Pain intensity decreased significantly after treatment (mean VAS 4.24 ±2.6; p = 0.03). Non-pharmacological methods, including dietary changes and physiotherapy, were widely used but showed limited effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent and substantially affects daily functioning among Polish women. Delayed diagnosis and limited treatment effectiveness highlight the need for improved management strategies and greater clinical awareness.