In general, exercise has preventive effect for several disease. In Asian population, however, the association between exercise habits and dysmenorrhea is inconsistent. We aimed to evaluate the association between exercise habits, including exercise partner and dysmenorrhea in a young Japanese population.
Overall, 4950 female university students were included in this analysis. Information regarding menstrual status (regularity, pain severity, and medication), and exercise habits (exercise frequency, exercise intensity, and exercise partners) was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire.(1) The frequency of exercise was divided into four categories: none (reference), low: 1–2 times per month, moderate: 1–3 times per week, and high: 4 or more times per week. (2) The intensity of exercise was divided four categories: none (reference), light exercise, moderate exercise, and high intense exercise. (3) The four categories of exercise partners were as follows: none (reference), with a group, with friends, and alone. Estimations of crude odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for menstrual cycle, menstrual pain, and medication for menstrual pain in relation to exercise frequency, exercise intensity, and exercise partners were performed using a logistic regression analysis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to adjust for potential confounding factors. Age, body mass index, drinking, and smoking, were selected a priori as potential confounding factors. Statistical analyses mainly were performed using SAS software package version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). All probability values for statistical tests were two-tailed, and P 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
The prevalence of light, and sometimes heavy or heavy of menstrual pain were 29.2% and 54.5%, respectively. Moderate exercise frequency (1-3 times/week), and exercise with groups and friends were independently inversely associated with menstrual pain (adjusted odd ratio (OR): Moderate exercise: 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62-0.85], groups: 0.81 [95% CI 0.67–0.97] and friends: OR 0.69 [95% CI 0.57–0.83]). Similarly, exercise with friends was independently inversely associated with medication for pain. No association between exercise habit and menstrual cycle was found.
Among Japanese young population, moderate exercise frequency and exercise partner were independently inversely associated with dysmenorrhea.Among Japanese young population, moderate exercise frequency and exercise partner were independently inversely associated with dysmenorrhea.
Further studies assessing the association between dysmenorrhea and PA are needed to enhance patient care and improve female quality of life.
young Japanese population
Dysmenorrhea
