Assessment of Menstrual Disorder Knowledge Among Female Physical Education Students in a Federal University in the South East

Female physical education students are at particular risk of menstrual disorders related to intensive physical training, yet knowledge of these conditions and their health implications may be inadequate even within this specialist student population. This study assesses knowledge of menstrual disorders including dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, and the female athlete triad among female physical education undergraduates at a federal university in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 180 female students at various levels of their physical education degree programme using a validated questionnaire covering menstrual physiology, disorder recognition, risk factors, and help-seeking behaviour. Findings indicate that knowledge of dysmenorrhoea is relatively high at 73 percent, while awareness of secondary amenorrhoea and the female athlete triad is markedly low, at 31 percent and 14 percent respectively. Self-reported menstrual irregularities are acknowledged by 48 percent of respondents, yet fewer than 30 percent had sought professional medical advice. Reasons for not seeking help include normalisation of menstrual symptoms, embarrassment, and cost of medical consultation. Senior students and those engaged in high-intensity competitive sport demonstrate higher disorder awareness. Recommendations include integrating female athlete health content into the physical education degree curriculum, establishing confidential health advisory services for female sports students, and conducting periodic health screenings for female student athletes. Keywords: menstrual disorders, female athlete triad, physical education students, South East Nigeria, knowledge