Beatriz Memória Feitosa, Cristiano César Rodrigues Augusto Gonçalves, Edward Araujo Júnior, Beatriz Vieira Cavalcante, André Lucas Grangeiro de Sá Barreto Lima, Caroline Martins de Souza, Larissa Brandão Joventino, Marcelo Borges Cavalcante
JBRA Assist. Reprod. 2025; 29 (1):127-135
Received June 12, 2024
Accepted December 24, 2024
Abstract
Objective: To assess the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of endometriosis and adenomyosis among university students and identify potential predictors of these diseases among these symptoms.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a private university in northeastern Brazil. The students were asked to complete an electronic questionnaire using a Google Form link. Participants were asked about general information, the menstrual cycle, and bleeding symptoms. The electronic questionnaire results were compared between two groups: students who self-reported endometriosis/adenomyosis (ENDO/ADENO) and students who self-reported no endometriosis/adenomyosis (NO ENDO/ADENO).
Results: Four (2.9%) students self-reported adenomyosis alone, 26 (18.6%) students self-reported endometriosis alone, and two (1.4%) students self-reported an associated diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Participants were divided into two groups: ENDO/ADENO (n = 32) and NO ENDO/ADENO (n = 108). Participants in the ENDO/ADENO group reported more severe dysmenorrhea, worsening dysmenorrhea in the last 12 months, frequent absence from class, dyspareunia, and dysuria. Worsening dysmenorrhea was a predictor of endometriosis/adenomyosis in university female students (odds ratio = 5.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.91�17.22, p = 0.002).
Conclusion: The assessment of menstrual cycle symptoms can be used as a screening tool for patients at risk of endometriosis/adenomyosis. The progressive worsening of dysmenorrhea in the last 12 months was a predictor of endometriosis/adenomyosis diagnosis.