Association of Lifestyle Factors with Menstrual Irregularities Among Female University Students
Association of Lifestyle Factors with Menstrual Irregularities
Keywords:
Lifestyle factors, Menstruation, University students, Women's health, Menstrual IrregularitiesAbstract
Background: Menstrual irregularities are a prevalent concern among females of reproductive age, often causing anxiety, and potentially impacting their physical, psychological and social health along with the quality of life. The global prevalence of irregular menstrual cycle is reported to range between 14% and 35%, depending on the geographical region and diagnostic criteria.
Aim and Objective: While recent studies have examined physical activity, smoking, nutrition and sleep in relation to menstrual health, there is limited research on how they all together influence menstrual irregularities in female university students in Pakistan. Studying these factors together could offer a more extensive understanding of lifestyle patterns related to menstrual health.
To determine the association between lifestyle factors and menstrual irregularities among female university students aged 18 to 26 years, a descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed.
Methodology: This research was conducted at Ibadat International University Islamabad comprising of a sample size of (n=350) using a random sampling technique. Two tools were used, such as the “lifestyle pattern associated with menstrual irregularities questionnaire” and “sleep quality scale”.
Results: A high prevalence of menstrual irregularities was observed among female students, with dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome being the most common. Significant associations were found between menstrual irregularities and BMI, dietary frequency, sleep duration, and dietary habits (p<0.05). Chi-square analysis identified irregular breakfast intake (p=0.0001) and difficulty sleeping during menstruation (p=0.008) as the strongest risk factors
Conclusion: The finding of this study concluded that menstrual irregularities were associated with a variety of lifestyle patterns. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between multiple menstrual irregularities and sleep, body mass index and skipping breakfast and dinner. University should put in place health education programs to increase awareness of how lifestyle factors. affect menstrual health. It is important to encourage the female to follow the balanced diet, practice regular exercise and obtain adequate sleep. Promoting good sleep pattern and frequent exercise can help to promote the hormonal balance and reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms. To better understand the underlying cause of menstrual irregularities, future research should use longitudinal design and explore other factors of stress and hormonal level.
References
Gaskins AJ, Mumford SL, Zhang C, Wactawski-Wende J, Hovey KM, Whitcomb BW, Howards PP, Perkins NJ, Yeung E, Schisterman EF, BioCycle Study Group. Effect of daily fiber intake on reproductive function: the BioCycle Study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (2009); 90(4): 1061-1069. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0207-2
De Souza MJ, Koltun KJ, Williams NI. The Role of Energy Availability in Reproductive Function in the Female Athlete Triad and Extension of Its Effects to Men: An Initial Working Model of a Similar Syndrome in Male Athletes. Sports Medicine. (2019); 49(Suppl 2): 125-137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01217-3
Alzoubi A, Nasor EM, Suliman EM, AlQaderi N, AbbasTanira SH, Abdi SA, Mustafa S, Kheirallah K. A Comparative Piloting of Determinants of Self-Medication Among University Students in the MENA Region; UAE and Jordan as an Example. Patient Preference and Adherence. (2023); 17: 699-709. https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S405279
He H, Yu X, Chen T, Yang F, Zhang M, Ge H. Sleep Status and Menstrual Problems Among Chinese Young Females [Retracted]. BioMed Research International. (2021); 2021(1): 1549712. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/1549712
Nagata C, Wada K, Tamura T, Konishi K, Goto Y, Koda S, Kawachi T, Tsuji M, Nakamura K. Dietary Soy and Natto Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Japanese Adults: The Takayama Study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (2017); 105(2): 426-431.
Kalmbach DA, Cheng P, Ong JC, Ciesla JA, Kingsberg SA, Sangha R, Swanson LM, O'Brien LM, Roth T, Drake CL. Depression and Suicidal Ideation in Pregnancy: Exploring Relationships With Insomnia, Short Sleep, and Nocturnal Rumination. Sleep Medicine. (2020); 65: 62-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2019.07.010
Shakya KL, Shrestha N, Kisiju P, Onta SR. Association of Maternal Factors With Low Birth Weight in Selected Hospitals of Nepal. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council. (2015); 13(30): 121-125.
Zhang JT, Liu SY, Gao W, Liu SY, Yan HH, Ji L, Chen Y, Gong Y, Lu HL, Lin JT, Yin K. Longitudinal Undetectable Molecular Residual Disease Defines Potentially Cured Population in Localized Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancer Discovery. (2022); 12(7): 1690-1701. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-1486
Kassebaum NJ, Jasrasaria R, Naghavi M, Wulf SK, Johns N, Lozano R, Regan M, Weatherall D, Chou DP, Eisele TP, Flaxman SR. A Systematic Analysis of Global Anemia Burden From 1990 to 2010. Blood. (2014); 123(5): 615-624. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2013-06-508325
Mittiku YM, Mekonen H, Wogie G, Tizazu MA, Wake GE. Menstrual Irregularity and Its Associated Factors Among College Students in Ethiopia, 2021. Frontiers in Global Women's Health. (2022); 3: 917643. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2022.917643
Rashid R, Sohrabi C, Kerwan A, Franchi T, Mathew G, Nicola M, Agha RA. The STROCSS 2024 Guideline: Strengthening the Reporting of Cohort, Cross-Sectional, and Case–Control Studies in Surgery. International Journal of Surgery (London, England). (2024); 110(6): 3151. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001268
Yi H, Shin K, Shin C. Development of the Sleep Quality Scale. Journal of Sleep Research. (2006); 15(3): 309-316. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2869.2006.00544.
Ghosh A, Muley A. Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Among College Students and Their Association With Body Composition, Bowel Movements and Menstrual Cycle. International Journal of Public Health. (2025); 70: 1607712. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2025.1607712
Bekar D, Matar AA, Selçuk KT, Yilmaz HÖ, Arslan S. Ultra-Processed Foods and Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms: Does Consumption Amount Increase Symptom Severity? Nutrition and Health. (2026); 32(3): 905-912. https://doi.org/10.1177/02601060251338498
Bahutair SN, Dube R, Gnanadhas A, Masharifa F, Linus L, Mohamed MA, Patni MM, Al-Yafeai TM, Elsalous SH. Prevalence of Poor Sleep Quality and Its Association With Dysmenorrhea Among Female Undergraduate Students at a Health Sciences University in the UAE. Healthcare. (2026); 14(4): 474. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14040474
Çinar GN, Mümüşoğlu S, Akbayrak T, Gürşen C, Özgül S. A Comparison of the Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Yoga Training in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. (2025); 114853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114853
Dar M, Khan A, Shah SS, Aleem A, Jaber AA, Hussain M, Khan GM. Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life of Female Students Suffering From Primary Dysmenorrhea: Findings of a Cross-Sectional Study From Pakistan. Frontiers in Public Health. (2025); 13: 1467377. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1467377
Tahir A, Naseer B, Shafaq F. Perception of University Students About the Use of Painkillers, Other Remedies and Lifestyle Modifications for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study at KEMU. BMC Women's Health. (2025); 25(1): 234. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03777-1
