Primary Dysmenorrhea and Risk Factors among Female Students in Yogyakarta: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Supriyatiningsih Wenang (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta/PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping UMY Teaching Hospital, Indonesia)
Lidia Febrianti (Midwifery Study Program Stikes Guna Bangsa, Yogyakarta)
Octaviana Roshindra (Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta)
Franz Bahlmann (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bürgerhospital Frankfurt am Main, German)

Indonesian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Majalah Obstetri dan Ginekologi Indonesia)
Volume 14. No. 3 July 2026

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and its associated factors among female students in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female university students in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia, in 2021. A total of 385 participants were recruited using a purposive sampling method. Data were collected through an online structured questionnaire administered via Google Forms. The questionnaire incorporated the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) along with researcher-developed items that had been validated and tested for reliability before use. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses, with the chi-square test applied at a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). Variables with significant associations were subsequently included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results: Severe primary dysmenorrhea was the most prevalent category, affecting 44.2% of respondents. A maternal history of dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with both mild (AOR = 0.450; 95% CI: 0.249–0.813; p = 0.008) and severe primary dysmenorrhea (AOR = 2.425; 95% CI: 0.774–2.292; p < 0.001).* Among treatment-related factors, healthy food consumption showed the strongest association with mild primary dysmenorrhea (AOR = 0.570; 95% CI: 0.392–0.830; p = 0.003), whereas medication use was most strongly associated with severe primary dysmenorrhea (AOR = 2.645; 95% CI: 1.624–4.308; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Severe primary dysmenorrhea was the most common presentation among female students. A maternal history of dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with both mild and severe primary dysmenorrhea. Healthy food consumption and medication use were the treatment-related factors most strongly associated with mild and severe dysmenorrhea, respectively. Strengthening collaboration among mothers, adolescents, and healthcare providers may improve the management of primary dysmenorrhea. Keywords: associated factors, female students, primary dysmenorrhea, reproductive health