Dysmenorrhea is a common condition that affects many women during their reproductive years and can lead to significant disruptions in daily life. While studied extensively worldwide, only limited research has been conducted on the severity and effects of dysmenorrhea in women from the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its impact on women from this region, using the Work ability, Location, Intensity, Duration of Dysmenorrhea (WaLIDD) score to assess the severity of dysmenorrhea across multiple dimensions.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Hafr Al Batin to determine the severity of dysmenorrhea among 291 female students using the WaLIDD score. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical history, and menstrual patterns were collected through an online questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including Fisher’s exact test and ANOVA test, were performed using R Studio.

Among the participants, 13.1% had no or mild dysmenorrhea (no-to-mild), 47.4% had moderate dysmenorrhea, and 39.5% had severe dysmenorrhea. Severe dysmenorrhea was associated with significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.024), a history of gynecological disease (p = 0.029), and seeking medical consultation (p < 0.001). Severe dysmenorrhea was also significantly associated with irregular cycles (p = 0.003), heavier menstrual flow (p < 0.001), and functional impairment (p < 0.001).

Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent and has significant effects on the daily life of young women in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. BMI and menstrual characteristics play key roles in the severity of dysmenorrhea, thereby highlighting the need for targeted interventions and increased awareness to improve management strategies.