OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of self-medication for dysmenorrhea and to compare self-medication practice for dysmenorrhea among medical and pharmacy students.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 237 female medical and pharmacy students with dysmenorrhea in Unaizah, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a structured pre-piloted questionnaire to various aspects like demographic data, severity and duration of dysmenorrhea and pattern of management in the three groups. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS statistic 20 program.

RESULTS: The prevalence of drug self-medication was 175(73.8%). The majority of the students practice self-medicated because of the illness being too trivial for consultation 75(31.6%). The most frequently symptom associated with dysmenorrhea was uterine contractions 182(76.8%). The most frequntly self- prescribed medications for dysmenorrhea among participants of this study was ibuprofen 88(37.1%). The most commonly herbs utilized to relive pain associated with dysmenorrhea was cinnamon 114(48.1%). The most common source of information of self-medication was students' personal experience 86(36.3%). In total, 9(2.5%) of respondents reported an adverse reaction after the use of self-prescribed medication, and 16(6.7%) of respondents reported an adverse reaction after the use of self-prescribed hebal medicines. Degree of pain was significantly associated with activity rate (P=0.000), mood disturbance (P=0.017), number of menstruation days (P=0.057), and absenteeism from class (P=.000).

CONCLUSIONS: Dysmenorrhea is a common cause for self-medication among young females. Self-medication practice was equally influenced by using modern and traditional medicines. Although, self-medication have less reported adverse drug reactions among the participants, it is critical to take effective measure in order to improve awareness towards self-medication practices.