Menstrual Problems and Lifestyle among Spanish University Women

Elia Fernández-Martínez, Tania Fernández-Villa, Carmen Amezcua-Prieto, María Morales Suárez-Varela, Ramona Mateos-Campos, Carlos Ayán-Pérez, Antonio José Molina de la Torre, Rocío Ortíz-Moncada, Ana Almaraz, Gemma Blázquez Abellán, Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez, Jéssica Alonso-Molero, Virginia Martínez-Ruíz, Agustín Llopis-Morales, Luis Félix Valero Juan, José Mª Cancela Carral, Sandra Martín-Peláez and Juan Alguacil
Additional contact information
Elia Fernández-Martínez: Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
Tania Fernández-Villa: Research Group on Gene-Environment Interactions and Health (GIIGAS)/Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Carmen Amezcua-Prieto: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
María Morales Suárez-Varela: Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
Ramona Mateos-Campos: Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Carlos Ayán-Pérez: Well-Move Research Group, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Antonio José Molina de la Torre: Research Group on Gene-Environment Interactions and Health (GIIGAS)/Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Rocío Ortíz-Moncada: Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food and Nutrition Research Group, University of Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain
Ana Almaraz: Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
Gemma Blázquez Abellán: Departament of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain
Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Jéssica Alonso-Molero: CIBERESP, Institute of Health Carlos III, Ministry of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
Virginia Martínez-Ruíz: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Agustín Llopis-Morales: Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Legal Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
Luis Félix Valero Juan: Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
José Mª Cancela Carral: Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), Sergas-UVIGO, HealthyFit Research Group, Faculty of Education and Sport Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310 Pontevedra, Spain
Sandra Martín-Peláez: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Juan Alguacil: CIBERESP, Institute of Health Carlos III, Ministry of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: Menstrual problems affect many young women worldwide, conditioning both their academic performance and quality of life. This study sought to analyse the prevalence of menstrual problems and their possible relationship with lifestyle among Spanish university women, as part of a research project (UniHcos Project) involving a cohort of 11 Spanish universities with 7208 university students. A descriptive analysis was performed using the bivariate chi-square test and the Student’s t -test together with a binary logistic regression, in which the dependent variable was ‘suffering from menstrual problems’. Menstrual problems were identified in 23.8% of the students, representing women who paid more visits to the doctor and to emergency rooms, and who consumed more painkillers and contraceptives. In relation to dietary preferences, menstrual problems were 1.39 (CI 95% 1.22–1.61; p = 0.000) times more likely among women classified as high-risk alcohol users according to the AUDIT questionnaire, and 1.187 (CI 95% 1.029–1.370; p = 0.019) times greater among those who consumed sweets daily, 1.592 (CI 95% 1.113–2.276; p = 0.011) times more frequent among those who eat fish daily, and 1.199 (CI 95% 1.004–1.432; p = 0.045) times greater among those who were dieting. Menstrual problems affect many college students and potentially modifiable lifestyle variables exist which may influence their prevalence. It would be interesting to develop programmes to promote women’s health in the university context.

Keywords: menstrual disorders; diet; lifestyle; university students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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