Association of Menstrual Disorders with Body Mass Index in Undergraduate Medical Students

Shabnam Rizvi,Kashish Ayaz Khan,Ayesha Ahmad,- Ekta Ekta,Fareha Khatoon,Kajal Singh

doi:10.31344/ijhhs.v5i3.283

Abstract

Objective: Menstrual disorders constitute one of the major problems faced by medical students globally. Amongst the various factors attributed as causative factors in menstrual cycle variations, include body mass index [BMI] is the most easily modifiable factor. As we still do not have clear answers, this study was planned to study the association of menstrual disorders with BMI.Methodology: This is a cross sectional study, done in undergraduate female medical students in the age group of 18 to 30 years. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, breast feeding, <12 months post-partum, <6 months post abortion/miscarriage, concomitant medical disorders and intake of hormonal medication. Data was collected for socio-demographic variables, detailed menstrual history, obstetric and medical history. Examination recorded anthropometric details, hirsutism, acne, any signs of virilization. Menstrual cycle variables were studied for their association with BMI.Results: A total of 254 students participated in the study with an average age of 23.9 years. Dysmenorrhea was globally found. Majority of cases were mild dysmenorrhea. Premenstrual syndrome [PMS] was seen commonly, commonest symptoms being mood swings and abdominal cramps. There was no association between mean menstrual blood loss [MBL], PMS and BMI and poor association with dysmenorrhea.Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea and PMS were very commonly seen and were not related to BMI. The mean MBL was independent of BMI. A rise in BMI had a positive association with cycle irregularity.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 05 No. 03 July’21 Page: 330-335

Highlights

Menstrual disorders constitute one of the major problems faced by medical students globally with an estimated prevalence of 87-91%.1 The disorders range from amenorrhea, cycle irregularity, abnormal flow, dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome [PMS]
A lower incidence of mild dysmenorrhea was found in women with BMI in normal range [p
Previous studies have noted that the prevalence of menstrual problems in medical students has risen and BMI seems to be an important contributory factor

Summary

Introduction

Menstrual disorders constitute one of the major problems faced by medical students globally with an estimated prevalence of 87-91%.1 The disorders range from amenorrhea, cycle irregularity, abnormal flow, dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome [PMS]. Important factors responsible for variations in menstrual cycle include genetic and racial characteristics, hormonal changes, associated medical disorders and body mass index [BMI]. BMI is the most modifiable factor which has been seen to affect the patterns of menstrual cycle in many studies. This study was planned to observe the association of variations in menstrual patterns with body mass index [BMI]. N ≥ [p [1 - p]]/[ME/zα]2 where Zα is value of Z at two sided alpha error of 5%, ME is margin of error and p is proportion of study subjects with abnormal menstrual disorder. PMS was assessed by 11 symptoms and most of them did not have an association with BMI; abdominal cramps were seen less frequently in obese women as compared to others [p=0.01] (Table 3)

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion