Correlation of Menstrual Pattern with Body Mass Index in Young Female Students

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Many factors play a role in regularity and flow of menstrual cycle which include hormonal changes, genetics and body mass index (BMI). To evaluate the effect of BMI on menstrual pattern in medical and dental students, 196 apparently healthy female students of first and second professional MBBS and BDS in the age group of 17-20 years were taken. The data was collected by a pre-designed pre-tested questionnaire and a detailed history and clinical examination. BMI (Body Mass Index) was calculated as (kg/m2 = weight (kg)/ height2 (m2). Haemoglobin was estimated by Sahli’s Haemoglobinometer and bleeding time and clotting were estimated by using Duke’s method and Capillary tube method. The mean age of menarche was 13.33+0.88 years. 87.8 % subjects had menstrual cycle interval of 21-25 days. The mean cycle duration was 4.68+0.94 days. 84.7% females had a normal menstrual flow. Dysmenorrhoea was experienced by 47.4% subjects, out of these 47.3 % females had a positive family history. The prominent pre-menstrual symptom was in the form of cramps in 54.1% subjects. Abdominal pain was seen as the most prevalent menstrual symptom. Only 9.1% females had irregular cycles. Based on BMI, 65.8% females were normal, 20.4% females were underweight, 13.3% were in the pre-obese category and 0.1% were obese. A highly significant correlation was present between the regularity of the cycle and BMI and between menstrual flow and BMI. Mean haemoglobin concentration was 11.47+1.87g/dl, mean bleeding time was 2.78+0.66 minutes and mean clotting time was 4.08+0.88 minutes The study concludes that a majority of the girls were found to be anemic. Majority of the girls (90.81%) had a regular menstrual pattern, normal BMI (65.8%) and were suffering from mild anemia. Increase in BMI led to an increased menstrual flow. Majority of the subjects with regular cycles had a normal BMI.