A cross-sectional study to assess the impact of dietary and lifestyle behaviour on menstrual patterns in medical students of GRMC Gwalior city, Madhya Pradesh, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20261337Keywords:
Menstrual patterns, Lifestyle, BMI, Dysmenorrhea, Medical studentsAbstract
Background: Menstrual health is an important indicator of reproductive well-being. Medical students are particularly vulnerable to menstrual irregularities due to stress and lifestyle factors. To assess menstrual patterns and their association with dietary and lifestyle factors among female medical students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 183 female undergraduate medical students at Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, from November 2024 to January 2025. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic details, menstrual history, BMI, diet, physical activity, stress, and sleep. Dysmenorrhea severity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi 2.6.26, with Chi-square test and p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: Most participants (70.2%) attained menarche at 12–15 years. Normal BMI was observed in 56.9%, while 70.7% reported no physical exercise and 80.1% experienced stress. Irregular menstrual cycles were present in 53.6% of students. Significant associations were found between menstrual irregularity and BMI (p=0.003), physical activity (p=0.023), study duration (p<0.001), and dysmenorrhea (p<0.001). Junk food consumption and stress were not significantly associated.
Conclusion: Menstrual irregularities are common among medical students and are significantly associated with modifiable lifestyle factors such as BMI, physical inactivity, and prolonged study duration. Early lifestyle interventions are essential to improve menstrual health.
References
Rowland AS, Baird DD, Long S, Wegienka G, Harlow SD, Alavanja M, et al. Influence of medical conditions and lifestyle factors on the menstrual cycle. Epidemiology. 2002;13(6):668-74.
ACOG Committee on Adolescent Health Care. Menstruation in girls and adolescents: using the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;108(5):1323-8.
Cakir M, Mungan I, Karakas T, Girisken I, Okten A. Menstrual pattern and common menstrual disorders among university students. Pediatr Int. 2007;49(6):938-42.
Fraser IS, Critchley HO, Munro MG, Broder M. Can we achieve international agreement on terminologies and definitions used to describe abnormalities of menstrual bleeding. Hum Reprod. 2007;22(3):635-43.
Braverman PK. Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2007;20(1):3-12.
Mohite RV, Mohite VR. Correlates of menstrual problems among rural college students. Al Ameen J Med Sci. 2013;6(3):213-8.
Lakshmi SA. Impact of lifestyle and dietary habits on menstrual cycle of college students. Int J Sci Res. 2015;4(4):2845-7.
Sreelakshmi U. Prevalence and factors associated with menstrual disorders among college students. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2019;8(4):1271-6.
Harlow SD, Campbell OM. Epidemiology of menstrual disorders in developing countries. BJOG. 2004;111(1):6-16.
Nisar N, Zehra N, Haider G, Munir AA, Sohoo NA. Frequency, intensity and impact of premenstrual syndrome in medical students. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2008;18(8):481-4.
Singh A, Kiran D, Singh H, Nel B, Singh P, Tiwari P. Prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea among young females. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2015;4(2):370–4.
Negi P, Mishra A, Lakhera P. Menstrual abnormalities and associated lifestyle factors among adolescent girls. J Family Med Prim Care. 2018;7(4):804–8.
Sharma P, Malhotra C, Taneja DK, Saha R. Problems related to menstruation among adolescent girls. Indian J Pediatr. 2008;75(2):125–9.
World Health Organization. Adolescent health and development. Geneva: WHO. 2020.
Deligeoroglou E, Karountzos V, Creatsas G. Menstrual disorders during adolescence. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev. 2006;3(1):150–9.
Diaz A, Laufer MR, Breech LL. Menstruation in girls and adolescents: clinical perspectives. Pediatrics. 2006;118(5):2245–50.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
