Menstrual disorders among Zagazig University Students, Zagazig, Egypt

Food craving, vitamin A, and menstrual disorders: A comprehensive study on university female students

BACKGROUND

Menstrual disorders, influenced by dietary habits like high fat intake and low fruit and vegetable consumption, are a global public health issue. This study assessed the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irregular menstrual cycle (IMC) among female university students in Bangladesh, focusing on food cravings and low vitamin A intake as risk factors.

METHODS

In this comprehensive study, data from randomly selected female university students were collected using a structured questionnaire. The associations were analyzed through chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression, reported as adjusted odds ratios (AOR).

RESULTS

The most prevalent menstrual disorder was dysmenorrhea (68.3%) followed by PMS (33.8%), and IMC (24.3%). Food cravers for high-fat and sweet foods were likely to experience dysmenorrhea (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5-3.9, P<0.001), suffer from PMS (AOR: 3.9, 95% CI: 2.3-6.6, P<0.001), and have IMC (AOR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.6-5.3, P<0.001) vs. subjects who didn't. Subjects consuming vitamin A-rich plant foods had 40% (AOR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, P < 0.01) and 60% (AOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.6, P<0.001) less likely suffering from dysmenorrhea and IMC vs. who didn't. Both underweight and overweight/obese subjects experienced more than 2-fold dysmenorrhea vs. normal-weight peers. The chance of IMC was nearly 3-fold among overweight/obese subjects. However, lower physical activity was associated with PMS and IMC whereas family history was associated with dysmenorrhea and PMS. Among the socio-demographic factors, maternal education, place of residence, and earlier menarche (≤12 years) were associated with dysmenorrhea while marital status was associated with IMC.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that increasing the intake of vitamin A-rich plant foods and reducing high-fat, sweet foods can lower the risk of dysmenorrhea and IMC. Additionally, it highlights the need for regular exercise to mitigate the increased risk of PMS and IMC.

Nutritional Status and Anthropometric Indices in relation to Menstrual Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

Dietary habit and body composition can develop risk of menstrual disorders. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between macronutrient intake, anthropometric indices, and menstrual disorders.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 217 women with an average age of 28.8 ± 7.9 years. Anthropometric indices including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and skinfold thickness from all participants were measured. Menstrual cycle characteristics were self-reported. The dietary habits were assessed by using a modified, semiquantitative 147 items Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) by two trained dietitians. Chi-square and independent T-test were used to assess bivariate associations and logistic regression was implemented in SPSS 21.

Results

Most of the participants (52.5%) suffered from at least one of the menstrual disorders including painful menstruation (41%), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (24.9%), and irregular menstruation (22.1%). The mean of waist circumference in women with no complication was 76.0 ± 11.8 and in women with at least one disorder was 86.7 ± 14.0 (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that women with no disorder consumed less calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and fat in comparison to women with at least one disorder (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the proportion of all kinds of disorders among women, who had overweight or obesity, was significantly higher than women with normal BMI (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, and PMS were significantly associated with high intake of calories, proteins, carbohydrates, and total fat. Furthermore, menstruation-related complications were worsened by obesity.

Premenstrual syndrome and factors associated with it among secondary and preparatory school students in Debremarkos town, North-west Ethiopia, 2016

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of premenstrual syndrome and its associated factors among secondary school students in Debremarkos, North west Ethiopia.

Results

Premenstrual syndrome was reported by 81.3% of the participants. Statistically significant association was observed between the occurrence of PMS and age, AOR (CI) 1.20 (1.01, 1.44), involving in heavy non-academic duties, AOR 95% (CI)  2.13 (1.17, 3.89), early menarche (< 12 years), AOR (95% CI) 2.68 (1.32, 5.47) and long menstrual cycles (> 35 days), AOR (95% CI) 0.13 (0.02, 0.75).

Menstrual disorders and medical counseling among schoolgirls in South Egypt: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Menstrual disorders are common gynecological problems among adolescents, however, medical counseling for these disorders is not well documented in developing countries.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess medical counseling for menstrual disorders among schoolgirls in Beni-Suef city in South Egypt.

METHODS

Using a multi-stage random sampling, a total of 970 preparatory schoolgirls were included in this study. We used a self-administered questionnaire to detect the premenstrual and menstrual disorders as reported by the schoolgirls during the previous 6 months. Medical counseling for the menstrual disorders and other demographic characteristics were also surveyed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the schoolgirls was 15.4 ± 0.8 years, age of menarche 13.2 ± 1.1 years and menstrual flow days 5.0 ± 1.3. During the past 6 months, 19.4% of the schoolgirls reported medical counseling for at least one menstrual symptom. Dysmenorrhea (89.2%), premenstrual fatigue (32.4%) and headache (31.1%) were the most often reported symptoms. After adjustment for personal and gynecological characters, abdominal bloating [odds ratio (OR) 3.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.18-6.17], flow days >4 (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.21-2.47), acne flare (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.01-1.99), dysuria (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.35-3.22) and facial hair (OR 6.89; 95% CI 3.47-13.69) were associated significantly with a higher likelihood of medical counseling.

CONCLUSION

Menstrual disorders are highly prevalent among preparatory schoolgirls in Beni-Suef, however, there is a noticeable lack of the medical counseling for these disorders. Future research should focus on the barriers to medical counseling for menstrual disorders among adolescents.

Dysmenorrhoea among students aged 18-45 years attending University in Uganda: A cross-sectional multicenter study of three Universities in Uganda

AIM

Dysmenorrhoea presents as pain associated with menstruation. It is often an issue discussed privately, yet it continues to affect girls and women with grave impact on their education, social activities and work. This study sought to assess the factors associated with dysmenorrhoea among female students aged 18-45 years in three selected universities in Kampala Capital city, Uganda.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was a cross-sectional study conducted among 351 female students of three Universities in Kampala, Uganda. Purposive sampling methods were used. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, a 95% confidence interval was considered and analysis was done using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

Respondents (N = 351) fully completed the study out of 383 invited participants. The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 75.8%. Associated factors included having children (p < 0.05), daily consumption of sugary foods (p < 0.05) and family history of dysmenorrhoea (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

As nursing professionals, we believe comfort is a fundamental determinant of health. Therefore, evidence suggesting a high prevalence of dysmenorrhoea as revealed in this study is concerning. We recommend schools to have school clinics and school nurses who could help students during such days of discomfort. Further studies assessing the casual relationships of various correlates to dysmenorrhoea and the impact of dysmenorrhoea specifically on academic life of the students should be conducted.

Menstrual Patterns in the First Gynecological Year: A Systematic Review

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Understanding what constitutes a normal menstrual cycle during the first gynecological year (GY1) is a common concern of adolescents and clinicians. However, limited high-quality evidence exists. We aimed to summarize published literature regarding menstrual and ovulatory patterns in GY1. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Pre-MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) were systematically searched from database inception to 2018. Eligible studies described menstrual cycles, symptoms, or validated ovulatory data in healthy adolescents in GY1. Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies involving more than 2000 adolescents were included. Thirteen recorded menstrual cycle and/or symptom data and 14 measured ovulation. Mean cycle length ranged from 32 to 61 days and decreased throughout GY1. Mean menses length was 4.9 to 5.4 days. Frequent menstrual bleeding was reported in up to 23% of participants, infrequent menstrual bleeding in up to one-third, and "irregular menstrual bleeding" in up to 43%. Dysmenorrhea was reported by 30%-89% of participants. Prevalence of ovulatory cycles identified using luteal phase serum or salivary progesterone or urinary pregnanediol was 0 to 45% and increased throughout GY1. However, all used definitions that would be considered subovulatory in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

Menstrual and ovulatory patterns in GY1 are diverse and differ from those of adults. A transitional phase of menstrual and ovulatory immaturity is common. However, ovulation, irregular cycles, and dysmenorrhea are not uncommon. As such, safe sexual practice should be advocated and prompt medical management should be accessible.

Prevalence and associated factors of dysmenorrhea among secondary and preparatory school students in Debremarkos town, North-West Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecologic disorders and a frequently observed cause of anxiety and discomfort among female adolescents. Its prevalence varies between 16% and 91% in women of reproductive age. Its population statistics are too scant in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of dysmenorrhea among secondary and preparatory school students in Debremarkos town, 2016.

METHODS

Institutional based cross-sectional study was employed from Sept.26 to Oct.17, 2016 among secondary and preparatory school students in Debremarkos town. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 539 individuals selected by simple random sampling technique. Data were checked, coded and entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Univariate, bivariate and multivariable analysis were carried out. Binary logistic regression model was computed and P value < 0.05 was considered as significant. All ethical procedures were considered.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 69.3%. Age, AOR (95% CI) =1.38(1.15, 1.65), family history of dysmenorrhea, AOR (95% CI) = 9.79(4.99, 19.20), physical activity, AOR (95% CI) =0.39(0.13, 0.82), sugar intake, AOR (95% CI) =2.94 (1.54, 5.61), early menarche AOR (95% CI) =4.10(1.21,13.09), late menarche AOR (95% CI) =0.50 (0.27, 0.91), heavy menstrual periods AOR (95% CI) =2.91(1.59, 5.35) and sexual intercourse AOR (95% CI) =0.24 (0.10.0.55) had statistically significant association with the occurrence of dysmenorrhea.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, positive family history of dysmenorrhea, physical activity, excessive sugar intake, early menarche, late menarche, sexual intercourse and heavy menstrual periods had a statistically significant association with the occurrence of dysmenorrhea.

Nature and Prevalence of Menstrual Disorders among Teenage Female Students at Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the nature and prevalence of menstrual disorders among teenage girls.

DESIGN

An observational descriptive cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Zagazig University Students' Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt.

PARTICIPANTS

A representative sample of female students who attended the university pre-enrollment medical examination.

INTERVENTIONS

Self-administered questionnaire covering items on the adolescents' demographic data and menstruation characteristics.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Information about menarche, body mass index, physical exercise, cycle length and regularity, duration of menses, menstrual blood loss, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome.

RESULTS

A total of 285 questionnaires were analyzed. Mean age at menarche was 12.3 ± 1.5 years. Oligomenorrhea was reported by 18 participants (6.3%) and 5 others (1.8%) mentioned having polymenorrhea. Hypomenorrhea was noted in 25 students (8.8%), and hypermenorrhea was reported by 12 (4.2%). Irregular periods were mentioned by 24 students (8.4%). Dysmenorrhea was reported in 188 students (66.0%). Of these, 81 (28.4%) graded their pain as mild, 69 (24.2%) as moderate, and 38 (13.3%) as severe. Premenstrual syndrome was mentioned by 160 girls (56.1%). Consulting somebody regarding their menstrual problems was reported by 36 students (12.6%).

CONCLUSION

Our results are not greatly different from those in other parts of the world. Data on nature and prevalence of menstrual disorders and their effect on young women's health status, quality of life, and social integration suggest that management of these disorders should be given more attention within the available reproductive health care programs. Further research into prevalence of and risk factors for menstrual disorders and their morbidity is warranted and anxiously awaited.