The effect of diet on primary dysmenorrhea in university students: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Nutritional modulation of blood pressure and vascular changes during severe menstrual cramps

Objectives

This study examined the influence of nutrition on the severity of menstrual pains and associated transient changes in blood pressure (BP) and vascular-health indicators. It has also investigated the influence of nutrition on angiotensin (ANG II) and vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1).

Methods

A total of 207 university students, aged between 18 and 25 years, were grouped into three groups: a no-dysmenorrhoea (control) group, a moderate dysmenorrhoea (MDys) group, and a severe dysmenorrhoea (SDys) group, using the NRS-11 scale and initial contactin-1 (CNTN-1) levels. The groups were separately fed vegetable, protein, and carbohydrate meals. The meal plan involved three different types of food served three times a day (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), beginning 48 h before menstruation.

Results

We found that 73.9% and 100% of the MDys patients on the protein and carbohydrate diets, respectively, had severe dysmenorrhoea. As many as 69.6% of the SDys patients on vegetable diets experienced no dysmenorrhoea; the BP of 61% of SDys normalised to the standard values of 120/80. The BP of 87% MDys had systolic BP ≥ 130 and ≥90 diastolic BP after carbohydrate meals. On the other hand, 30% of SDys had higher BP after protein meals. With respect to the choice of food, the severity of menstrual pain was positively correlated with ANG II (r = 0.5158) and VCAM-1 (r = 0.5849). ANG-II. Similarly, VCAM-1 were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in the dysmenorrhoeal participants. The mean VCAM-1 and ANG-II levels of dysmenorrhoeal participants placed on vegetable meals were comparable to the control baseline levels.

Conclusions

This study recommends the intake of a vegetable meal at least 48 h before menstruation as an effective nutritional approach to preventing and managing severe menstrual cramps. This approach can also prevent associated vascular changes. Carbohydrate meals should be avoided at least 48 h before menstruation.