Abstract
Background
Menstrual abnormalities encompass a range of menstrual cycle disturbances, such as changes in the frequency, duration, or amount of bleeding. This study evaluated the association between menstrual abnormalities such as oligomenorrhea, menorrhagia and amenorrhea with anthropometric parameters such as BMI, WHR and WHtR among young women attending the Fertility Clinic of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit of NAUTH, Nigeria.
Methods
Random sampling technique was employed to select 200 women aged between 18–40 years, without any known medical condition that may affect menstrual function. Data were collected via questionnaires which composed of demographic information concerning menstruation, menstrual cycle and anthropometric parameters. The anthropometric parameters include height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference.
Results
There was a statistically significant positive correlation between oligomenorrhea and BMI (r = .445, p = .001), WHR (r = .207, p = .003) and WHtR (r = .440, p = .001). There was a statistically non-significant negative correlation between menorrhagia and BMI (r = − .035, p = .618), WHR (r = − .010, p = .890) and WHtR (r = − .008, p = .912). There was a statistically non-significant very weak positive correlation between age and oligomenorrhea (p = .084) and menorrhagia (p = .104). Results from this study showed that there was no prevalence of amenorrhea among the study subjects.
Conclusions
Findings from this study indicate that obesity is a predisposing factor for oligomenorrhea. Age is not a predisposing factor for menorrhagia and oligomenorrhea. Amenorrhea is not a common menstrual disorder among young women in Anambra state, Nigeria. This study highlights the need for healthy body weight among young women.