Abstract

Background: Menstrual irregularities are usually due to imbalance of hormones. Although menstrual irregularities may be normal during the early postmenarchal years, pathological conditions require proper and prompt management. Obesity associated with many health consequences including hormonal imbalance has a direct effect on menstrual cycle. Hence, attention to obesity is obligatory for the inclusion of diagnosis and treatment of menstrual complaints which has become a leading issue in women’s life.

Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to assess the menstrual irregularities and to find the association between menstrual irregularities and body fat among students.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three selected colleges in a district of Tamil Nadu in India. A total of 399 samples were included in the study. A 10-item questionnaire was administered to assess the menstrual irregularity in each student. The demographic variables along with anthropometric measurements were collected. Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate the body fat percentage using modified YMCA formula.

Results: The prevalence of menstrual irregularities was high in obesity compared with those with normal body fat and particularly oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, and hypomenorrhea had statistically significant increase in obese students.

Conclusion: This study revealed 4-fold increase in the prevalence of menstrual irregularities in students with increased body fat when compared with the normal. Effective steps to reduce body fat by regular exercise, healthy eating habits and lifestyle modifications should be undertaken to revert menstrual irregularities back to normal. Young women can thus lead a normal active life and prevent infertility which has become a most striking event in this generation.

Key words: Menstrual Irregularities; Obesity; Body Fat Percentage