Menstrual Cycle Phases, Symptom Variability, and Exercise Behaviour Among Female Students and Teachers at a Secondary School in Bonaberi, Douala, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the physical and emotional symptoms experienced by female students and teachers across menstrual cycle phases, assessed the influence of these phases on exercise participation and preferences, and explored perceptions of exercise during menstruation at Lycée Government Bilingual High School (G.B.H.S.) Bojongo Bonaberi, Douala, Cameroon. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 purposively selected female participants (274 students aged 15–21 years and 26 teachers aged 25–45 years). Data were collected via structured face-to-face interview guides and analysed using IBM SPSS v27; results are presented as frequencies and percentages. Findings: The majority of participants (67.0%) were aged 15–19 years; 75.0% reported regular menstrual cycles. Dysmenorrhoea was the predominant physical symptom (69.0%), peaking during the menstrual phase (75.0%), with moderate functional impairment in 71.0% of cases. Sadness (70.0%) and mood swings (25.0%) were the dominant emotional symptoms, moderately deterring exercise in 69.0% of respondents. Although 77.0% engaged in regular exercise, 70.0% reported that participation was symptom-contingent. The follicular phase was strongly preferred for exercise (71.0%). While 70.0% held positive beliefs about exercise during menstruation, 42.0% reported cultural or social influences discouraging physical activity. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: This study provides the first contextually grounded, school-based evidence on the intersection of menstrual symptom variability, hormonal physiology, and exercise behaviour in Cameroon. The findings advance theoretical understanding of the socio-ecological determinants of menstrual health behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa and provide a practical evidence base for designing physiologically grounded, culturally sensitive menstrual health education programmes. Policymakers are urged to integrate cycle-informed physical activity guidance into national school health curricula, and to address cultural misconceptions through community-level interventions involving families, educators, and health professionals.