The relationship between fat mass and visceral fat on the menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhea among female students

Abstract

Menstruation is a natural and periodic uterine bleeding process influenced by sex hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone, which are partly synthesized from body fat. In healthy, nonpregnant, premenopausal women, adipose tissue plays a significant role in regulating the menstrual cycle. According to the World Health Organization (2018), more than 75% of women experience menstrual disorders, with dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irregular menstruation being the most common. Irregular menstrual cycles include heavier or lighter bleeding lasting 7–9 days, cycles shorter or longer than 21–35 days, intermenstrual spotting or bleeding, postcoital bleeding, and the absence of menstruation for 3–6 months.This study aimed to analyze the relationship between fat mass and visceral fat with the menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhea among female medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University, in 2024. This analytical observational study used a cross-sectional design and included 66 participants whose body composition was measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Data on menstrual cycles and dysmenorrhea were collected using a questionnaire and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 1 to 10. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, employing Spearman’s correlation and the Mann–Whitney test. The results showed p-values of 0.267 and 0.315 for the relationship between fat mass and visceral fat with the menstrual cycle, and p-values of 0.043 and 0.034 for their relationship with dysmenorrhea. These findings indicate that fat mass and visceral fat are significantly associated with dysmenorrhea but not with the menstrual cycle.