English summary: EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MENSTRUAL DISORDERS, TREATMENT AND NEED FORTREATMENT IN FINLAND

In this study a random sample of Finnish women aged 25 to 64 years (n = 4550) responded to a questionnaire concerning reproductive health. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of menstrual disorders as well as their treatment and need for treatment. Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 74% and that of menorrhagia 27%. Younger women reported dysmenorrhoea more often than older women. Pain in the lower abdominal area had been experienced by 64% of the respondents. The prevalence of ever experienced irregular menstruation was 31 to 39%. Premenstrual symptoms - depression, bloated feeling and irritability - had been experienced by two in three of all women. Almost one third reported having received treatment for their menstrual problems, most commonly those respondents aged 35 to 54 years. 21% of the women felt some need for treatment of a gynaecological problem. A remarkably large number of Finnish women suffer from menstrual disorders. The demand on health care services due to the prevalence of menstrual disorders has important clinical implications.