This study aims to determine the results of a cognitive-behavioral approach in a dysmenorrhea support program that covers the symptoms, acquaintance, and attitudes toward menstruation of university students who had primary dysmenorrhea.

This randomized controlled, prospective, experimental study was carried out in a nursing school using a pretest-posttest design.

A total of 682 female nursing students and 584 volunteers from the 2017-2018 academic year participated in a study of the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea (94.0%). Study subjects were first-year female nursing students who scored severe on a visual analog scale for primary dysmenorrhea. As a result of the analysis, 80 female nursing students were assigned to study and control groups. A total of 60 students, 29 in the study group and 31 in the control group, completed the study.

The study group participated in a 6-session cognitive-behavioral approach in a dysmenorrhea support program. No intervention was administered to the control group. The control group and the study group were followed by using data collection forms during three menstrual cycles.

The Participant Introductory Form (PIF), Dysmenorrhea Follow-up Form (DFF), Dysmenorrhea Information Form (DIF), Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale (FEDS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) were used to measure outcomes.

In the case of primary dysmenorrhea, the use of nonpharmacological methods was higher in the study group than in the control group. In the third cycle, although the rate of analgesics use was 20.7% in the study group, it was 50% in the control group. Primary dysmenorrhea symptoms, pain levels, and analgesic use decreased. No change was observed in the attitude toward menstruation.

A cost-effective, reliable, cognitive-behavioral approach−based dysmenorrhea support program can be used to relieve symptoms, decrease the use of analgesics, and increase knowledge about primary dysmenorrhea.