The effect of diet on primary dysmenorrhea in university students: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate the effect of diet therapy on primary dysmenorrhea in female university students.Methods:A randomized controlled pre and post-test design was used to verify the effects of diet therapy on primary dysmenorrhea. The study was conducted on 67 female students who were suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. The participants were divided into diet and control groups. The intensity of dysmenorrhea was determined using Visual Analogue Scale and a modified questionnaire assessing several symptoms of dysmenorrhea. The intervention group received the diet therapy for three months. The assessments were made before intervention and three months later.Results:Before the intervention, the mean intensity of dysmenorrhea was found to be 7.14 ± 1.3, 7.09 ± 1.4, in diet groups and control groups, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant. After the diet therapy, a significant difference was found among the two groups regarding the mean intensity of dysmenorrhea after three months and the average score of pain score of diet group was significantly lower (Diet group:5.15±1.15, Control group: 6.74±1.97).Conclusion:Diet therapy was found to be effective in reducing pain in female university students with primary dysmenorrhea complaints.

Nutritional modulation of blood pressure and vascular changes during severe menstrual cramps

“…Foods consumed prior to or during menstruation influence menstrual outcome. 10 , 11 , 22 Among the reported outcomes of dysmenorrhoea are blood-pressure distortion and vascular health. 23 , 24 However, the degree to which certain foods influence dysmenorrhoea and related outcomes is unscalable, given the lack of reliable biomarkers to classify dysmenorrhoea according to severity of pain.…”

“… 8 , 9 These outcomes and associated complications continue to receive little serious attention for two main reasons: the perception that menstrual episodes are a normal occurrence, and the difficulties associated with measuring pain symptomatology. 10 Most studies do not clearly distinguish between mild, moderate, and severe dysmenorrhoea because there is no biomarker capable of reliably measuring the severity of menstrual pain. For this reason, researchers rely on descriptions, provided by affected individuals, of the extent to which their dysmenorrhoea interferes with daily activities.…”

“…Other well-documented non-pharmacological methods of relieving menstrual pain include diet interventions, lifestyle adaptations, herbs, and natural supplements. 10 Studies that show the impact of diet on menstrual outcomes have lacked consistency; there are no widely accepted recommended dietary habits for dysmenorrhoea. 13 However, some Cochrane reviews have summarised the importance and safety of using targeted premenstrual food choices to manage painful menstrual episodes.…”

Confidence to manage menstruation among university students in Australia: Evidence from a cross-sectional survey

“…8 This may explain why current menstrual health interventions with university students predominantly target reductions in menstrual pain or irregular menstruation. [9][10][11][12] In Australia and abroad, there has also been a rise in anecdotal evidence of 'period poverty' -a term describing how menstruating individuals may lack access to menstrual materials (menstrual products) to manage menstruation due to socioeconomic disadvantage. [13][14][15] In response to widespread advocacy and campaigning, the Scottish Government has provided free menstrual products in all schools, colleges and universities since 2018.…”

“…8 This may explain why current menstrual health interventions with university students predominantly target reductions in menstrual pain or irregular menstruation. 9–12…”