Modifying role of water intake on quality of life among female university students suffering from primary dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is a common complain among young females students that impairs their educational performance, and their quality of life. Considering the importance of drinking enough water for health, the present study was conducted to assess the modifying role of water intake on quality of life of university students suffering from primary dysmenorrhea.

This Quasi-experimental research was conducted on 70 university students suffering from primary dysmenorrhea and had less than 1600 ml water intake per day. They were asked to modify their water intake based on a proposed protocol for two menstrual periods. Health related quality of life was examined by the 36-item short-form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) before and after intervention.  Using Wilcoxon signed-rank test quality of life was compared before and after modifying water intake.

Among physical and mental health summary measures of the SF-36, an inverse significant difference was observed between physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, role-emotional and mental health between and after intervention.

There was a significant difference between quality of life of university students who changed their water intake and suffered from primary dysmenorrhea indicating the modifying role of drinking water as a non-pharmacological intervention for primary dysmenorrhea.