A Narrative Review on Menstrual Disorders and Adolescent’s Health-Related Quality of Life: Implications for Midwifery Practice

Abstract

Globally, menstrual disorders are significant health concern affecting a substantial proportion of adolescent girls, profoundly impacting their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). These conditions frequently cause physical discomfort, emotional distress, and social challenges, necessitating supportive care and management. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the multifaceted quality-of-life impacts of menstrual disorders on adolescents and derive implications for midwifery practice. The data for this review paper were gathered from published studies utilizing electronic databases of Medline, Science direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar which were searched using the keywords: menstrual disorders, adolescents HRQoL, impact of menstrual disorders on adolescents HRQoL and midwifery practice. The Biopsychosocial Model was used as the foundational basis to understand the holistic impact of menstrual disorders. The date limit considered in the literature search was from 2012 - 2024 to capture the variables identified in the review. The study revealed that adolescent with dysmenorrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, and other menstrual disorders experience substantial deficits across physical, psychological, social, academic, and other quality-of-life domains. Furthermore, severe pain, fatigue, school absenteeism, anxiety and depression were common impacts reported. It also established midwives plays a vital role in supporting adolescents with menstrual disorders to provide comprehensive education, counseling, and management strategies to acquire an optimal health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Menstrual disorders profoundly affect adolescents who are vulnerable population at the transitional stage of life. This makes it important for midwives who are the frontline of pivotal care to contribute to adolescents overall well-being and HRQoL while preventing long-lasting complications.