New Onset Oligomenorrhea as a Consequence of Trauma among Syrian Women Refugees in Turkey

Authors : Caner KOSE, Büşra KÖRPE, Burcu TİMUR, İsmail GÜLTEKİN

Pages : 206-215

Doi:10.25279/sak.1293318

View : 64 | Download : 46

Publication Date : 2023-08-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: Depression is a common psychological response to trauma and stress, and research suggests that depression may play a role in the development of menstrual irregularities in women, including oligomenorrhea. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the gynecological symptom of oligomenorrhea as a consequence of traumatic events and its relation with depression and sexual dysfunction in Syrian refugee women in Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study was held in one of the refugee camps in Turkey insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Cevdetiye, Osmaniye); in April 2013. A total of 404 Syrian refugee women were interviewed during their medical visits at the gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic located in the refugee camp for menstrual cycle irregularities, depression and sexual dysfunction in regard to the parameters such as the level of linguistic communication skills, ethnic origin, marital status, active involvement of husband or loss of any first degree relative in civil war. Results: A total of 404 refugee women of different ethnicities insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Turkish n=310 and Arabic n=94); were interviewed. Out of 404 participants, 200 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(49.5%); had secondary oligomenorrhea insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(study group); and 204 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(50.5%); had normal menstrual cycles insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(control group);. Oligomenorrhea was found to be significantly associated with decreased sexual function, active involvement of husband in civil war and higher depression scores. Conclusion and suggestion: Depression is one of the major component of post-traumatic events and one of the known reasons of menstrual irregularities in women. Menstrual irregularities, particularly oligomenorrhea, may be an objective and initial gynecological sign in refugee women alerting the clinicians to refer the women for further psychiatric evaluation
Keywords : Beck Depresyon Envanteri II, Depresyon, Oligomenore, Travma sonrası stres, Suriyeli mülteci kadınlar