Impact of dysmenorrhea on exam performance, concentration, school activities and absenteeism on female high school students in Jakarta, Indonesia

Achmad Kemal Harzif (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia - dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta Yasmin IVF Clinic Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta)
Aisyah Retno Puspawardani (Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Family Planning Cluster, Indonesia Reproductive Medicine Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas)
Nafi’atul Ummah (Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Family Planning Cluster, Indonesia Reproductive Medicine Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas )
Thalia Amila Elsiyana (Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Family Planning Cluster, Indonesia Reproductive Medicine Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta)
Sabihisma Nafsiah Putri Hermawan (Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Family Planning Cluster, Indonesia Reproductive Medicine Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta)
Patricia Alika Kurniawan (Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Family Planning Cluster, Indonesia Reproductive Medicine Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta)
Intan Indah Permatasari (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta)

Majalah Obstetri dan Ginekologi
Vol. 34 No. 2 (2026): August

HIGHLIGHTS More than half of the female students experienced moderate to severe dysmenorrhea, which significantly affected their exam performance, concentration, school participation, and daily activities. Early management and supportive interventions are essential to reduce the negative academic and functional impact of dysmenorrhea among adolescent students.   ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to assess how dysmenorrhea affects exam performance, concentration, school participation, absenteeism, and daily activities among female high school students in Jakarta. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Senior High School 61 Jakarta and involved students from the first and second grades. Eligible participants were those who had experienced menarche, while students with regular analgesic use or chronic medical conditions that could affect academic performance were excluded. A modified questionnaire assessed menstrual perceptions and menstrual impact. Demographic data were presented, and relationships between dysmenorrhea and exam performance, concentration, school participation, absenteeism, and daily activities were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Results: A total of 130 participants were included in the study; regular menstrual cycles were reported by 70.8% of participants, 72.3% had normal cycle lengths, and 80% had normal menstrual duration. Moderate to very severe dysmenorrhea was reported, most commonly described as a squeezing sensation (52.3%), and 93% of female students perceived dysmenorrhea as normal. Dysmenorrhea affected exam performance (19.2%), concentration (11.5%), school participation (32.3%), and daily activities (15.4%), while absenteeism was mostly absent (86.9%). Pain intensity of dysmenorrhea showed significant negative correlations with exam performance (r = 0.181, p = 0.040), concentration (r = 0.312, p < 0.001), school participation (r = 0.227, p = 0.009), absenteeism (r = 0.230, p = 0.009), and daily activities (r = 0.242, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescent students and significantly affects their academic performance, concentration, school participation, and daily activities, emphasizing the importance of early management and supportive interventions to minimize its impact on overall well-being.