BODY MASS INDEX AND ITS RELATION WITH MENSTRUAL DISORDERS IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Abstract

Back ground: Menstruation is one of the most important physiological changes during adolescent years. Regular rhythmic menstrual periods are physiological phenomenon for any woman from menarche to menopause. Adolescent girls do suffer frequently from menstrual disorders as they are closely compelling with the process involved in the pubertal development. Regular menstrual cycle reflects women’s endocrine function and reproductive health. Many factors influence the regularity and flow of a girl’s menstrual cycles which include hormonal changes, BMI, serious medical disorders, and genetics. The purpose of this study is to determine the relation between BMI and menstrual characteristics in adolescent.
Materials and methodology: This study is undertaken in a tertiary care hospital, Kurnool, in the department of obstetrics and gynecology for a period of 1year after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethical committee. This is a prospective observational study and the study participants were the girls attending the gynecology OPD.
Results: 49.5% of the girls had menstrual irregularities of which6 (3%) had frequent cycles <24 days, and 93 (46.5%) had infrequent cycles (cycle length >38 days). 42 (21%) of the girls had heavy menstrual bleeding with duration of flow >9days. 43(21.5%) had premenstrual symptoms. Statistically significant association was found between menstrual irregularities, thyroid disorders, hyperandrogenism and BMI.