An Analysis of the Current Status of dysmenorrhea patients visiting Korean Medicine Hospital

Article information

J Korean Med. 2023;44(1):28-37
Publication date (electronic) : 2023 March 1
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.23003
1College of Korean Medicine, Dong-Eui University
2Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-Guk University
Correspondence to: Dong-Il Kim, Dept. of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ilsan Dong-Guk University Korean Medicine Hospital, 27 Dongguk ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, Tel : +82-31-961-9060, E-mail : obgykdi@hanmail.net
Received 2022 July 28; Accepted 2022 August 17.

Abstract

Objectives

This review aimed to present the characteristics of dysmenorrhea patients visiting a Korean Medicine hospital.

Methods

One hundred thirteen dysmenorrhea patients visiting a Korean Medicine hospital from 2017 to 2021 were studied. We evaluated the general characteristics, type of dysmenorrhea, menstrual characteristics and overall therapies.

Results

The average age of the 113 subjects was 29.4 years old, with 38.1% in their 20s and 25.7% in their 30s. The average pain intensity was NRS 7.5, and the menstrual pain severity of 79.6% of the subjects was grade 2 or 3. The types of dysmenorrhea were classified as primary dysmenorrhea in 62.0% and secondary dysmenorrhea in 38.1%. The average treatment period of the patients was 1–2 months in most cases (44.25%). The most common treatment method was herbal medicine.

Conclusions

We figured out the status of dysmenorrhea patients and treatment in a Korean medicine hospital.

Main Age Group of Patients with Dysmenorrhea

Past Medical History of Patients

Characteristics of Menstrual Pain

Frequency and Duration for Treating Dysmenorrhea

Types of Treatment Methods

Frequency and Duration for Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea

References

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Article information Continued

Table 1

Main Age Group of Patients with Dysmenorrhea

No. of patient (%)
10s 21(18.58)
20s 43(38.05)
30s 29(25.66)
40s 17(15.04)
50s 3(2.65)

Table 2

Past Medical History of Patients

No. of patient (%)
With Diseases (N=36) Leiomyoma of uterus 9(7.96)
Adenomyosis uteri 7(6.19)
Ovarian cyst 6(5.31)
Endometriosis 5(4.42)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome 2(1.77)
Endometrial hyperplasia 1(0.88)
Cervical dysplasia 1(0.88)
Chronic cervicitis 1(0.88)
Endometrial polyp 1(0.88)
Adenomyosis uteri + Endometriosis 1(0.88)
Endometriosis + Ovarian cyst 1(0.88)
Adenomyosis uteri + Endometriosis + Leiomyoma of uterine 1(0.88)

No Diseases 18(15.93)

Not reported 59(52.21)

Total 113(100)

Table 3

Characteristics of Menstrual Pain

Category Factor No. of patient (%)
Onset of pain (n=65) Within the first 2 years after menarche 33(50.77)
The years pass after menarche 32(49.23)

Pain cycle (n=64) At the same time of a period 57(86.06)
Before 1~2 weeks of a period 7(10.94)

Duration of pain (n=95) <72 Hours 74(77.89)
>72 Hours 21(22.21)
Average of time (n=95) 64.21±27.90 (hrs/period)

After taking of painkillers (n=54) Relieved 31(57.41)
Unrelieved 23(42.59)
Average number of painkillers (n=75) 5.03±3.77 (numbers/period)

Table 4

Frequency and Duration for Treating Dysmenorrhea

Variables N %
Average visiting days per month (N=113) 1 49 43.36
2–3 20 17.70
4–5 29 25.66
6–7 6 5.31
≥ 8 9 7.96

Average duration for treatment (N=113) 1 week – 1month 33 29.20
1–2 months 50 44.25
2–3 months 8 7.08
3–6 months 8 7.08
6–12months 7 6.19
≥ 1 year 7 6.19

Table 5

Types of Treatment Methods

Treatment Methods No.of patient (%)
Acupuncture + Herbal medicine 41(36.28)
Acupuncture + Herbal medicine + Moxibustion 36(31.86)
Herbal medicine 28(24.78)
Acupuncture 2(1.77)
Acupuncture+ Herbal medicine + Pharmacopuncture 2(1.77)
Herbal medicine + Moxibustion 1(0.88)
No treatment 3(2.65)

Total 113(100)

Table 6

Frequency and Duration for Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea

Variables N %
Average visiting days per month (N=70) 1 37 52.86
2–3 10 14.29
4–5 18 25.71
6–7 3 4.29
≥ 8 2 2.86
Average duration for treatment (N=70) 1 week – 1month 18 25.71
1–2 months 36 51.43
2–3 months 2 2.86
3–6 months 5 7.14
6–12months 2 2.86
≥ 1 year 7 10.00