Abstract

*Gbaranor K. B., Mube W. A., Gilbert U. D., Nonju T. I, Daka I.R, Amadi Hebinchi,Wami-Amadi C. F., Nonju I. I., Oriji E. I., Amadi N. C., Emeghara G. I., Nwosu G. N. and Ajumoke O.O.

ABSTRACT

Menstrual cycle is a process that every woman who have attained puberty must undergo and this occur monthly in a normal physiologic pattern unless in some cases were certain factors may halt the monthly process. This cycle varies in individual. The aim of this study is to ascertain the physiological variation of menstrual cycle amongst female students of tertiary institutions in Rivers State. This is a cross-sectional study involving students with age between 8 to 23 years. The study revealed that the participants experienced their first menstrual cycle between the 8 to 17 years and it was peak at the age of 13 years.33.5% of the students have 4 days duration of menstrual flow; 24.5%, 5 days; 17.3%, 3 days; 11.1%, 7 days; 6.1%, 6 days; 5%, 2 days; and 0.42% of students have their duration of flow for 8, 10, 14 and 15 days respectively. 73.7% of the participants have moderate flow, 20.7% have heavy with clots and 5.6% have scanty flow. 77% of the participants have changes in the size of their breasts, while 23% do not have any change. Study shows that 93% of the respondents do not experience facial pimples and 7% experienced. 87% of the students developed painful breasts and 13% do not.70% of the participants have dizziness and weakness while 30% do not. 5% of the participants have their cycle lent less than 21 days; 15% have it between 22-24 days; 46%, 25-28 days; 21%, 29-32 days; 4%, 33-35 days; and 9% have too irregular. 69% of the respondents have premenstrual syndrome while 39% do not have premenstrual syndrome.