Study Objective

This study describes menstrual dysfunction and treatment among adolescent and young adult (AYA) females with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Design

Data collected from a 1-time survey completed by AYA females (and mothers if AYA unable).

Setting

Participants were recruited from pediatric cardiology clinics.

Participants

Female AYA with CHD, aged 14-21 years (N = 114).

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measures

The questionnaire assessed sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns, behaviors, and management. Outcome measures were self-reported menstrual complaints, use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medications for dysmenorrhea, reported visits with a clinician for a menstrual problem, and reported use of hormones for menstrual problems or birth control.

Results

Mean age was 17.0 years (SD = 2.2). The majority of participants (83%) reported 1 or more menstrual complaints (67.5% cramping, 42.1% irregular menses, 46.5% heavy periods), and 88% reported any history of taking OTC medications for pain relief. Increased menstrual complaints were not associated with level of cardiac complexity, reported transplantation, or reported use of hormonal contraception. However, 32% of participants reported use of hormonal contraception for menstrual dysfunction. Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) were the most common; 2 of these women carried contraindications to estrogen.

Conclusions

A large majority of AYA females with CHD reported menstrual dysfunction. Use of OTC medication for menstrual pain and inappropriate use of estrogen creates concerns that menstrual disorders may be unaddressed or addressed inappropriately. Thus, gynecological needs of adolescents with CHD may need to be specifically targeted by providers who feel comfortable with this population and their complex needs.

中文翻译：

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先天性心脏病青少年的月经失调和治疗。

 学习目的

本研究描述了患有先天性心脏病 (CHD) 的青少年 (AYA) 女性的月经功能障碍和治疗。

 设计

数据收集自 AYA 女性（以及母亲，如果 AYA 无法完成）完成的一次性调查。

 环境

参与者是从儿科心脏病诊所招募的。

 参加者

患有 CHD 的女性 AYA，年龄 14-21 岁（N = 114）。

 干预措施

 没有任何。

 主要成果指标

该问卷评估了性与生殖健康 (SRH) 问题、行为和管理。结果指标包括自我报告的月经主诉、使用非处方 (OTC) 止痛药治疗痛经、报告因月经问题就诊的情况以及报告使用激素治疗月经问题或节育的情况。

 结果

平均年龄为 17.0 岁 (SD = 2.2)。大多数参与者 (83%) 报告有 1 次或多次月经不适（67.5% 经痛、42.1% 月经不规律、46.5% 月经量多），88% 报告有服用非处方药缓解疼痛的历史。月经主诉的增加与心脏复杂程度、报告的移植或报告的激素避孕的使用无关。然而，32% 的参与者报告使用激素避孕药来治疗月经失调。复方口服避孕药 (COC) 是最常见的；其中 2 名女性患有雌激素禁忌症。

 结论

绝大多数患有先心病的 AYA 女性报告有月经失调。使用非处方药治疗经痛和不恰当使用雌激素会引起人们的担忧，即月经失调可能得不到解决或解决不当。因此，患有先心病的青少年的妇科需求可能需要由那些对这一人群及其复杂需求感到满意的提供者专门针对。