Cohort study, 1984
What affects menstrual patterns in teenage girls?
Exercise and body fat did not affect menstrual regularity or pain. However, girls living at boarding school (away from home) were more likely to develop irregular cycles than girls living at home.
What they did
Researchers surveyed 327 teenage girls about their periods, exercise, and where they lived. They calculated body fat from measurements. 87 girls completed follow-up questionnaires 8 to 15 months later.
What they found
93% of girls had normal menstrual flow lasting 4 to 7 days. 59.7% experienced period pain, and 63% experienced premenstrual symptoms. Body fat and exercise hours showed no correlation with menstrual problems. All girls whose cycles changed from regular to irregular were boarding students.
What it means for you
Stress from separation from home may be more important than exercise or weight for menstrual regularity. The study was small and from one school, so results may not apply to other groups of teenagers.
87
girls followed up
93%
with normal menstrual flow
63%
with premenstrual symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- The relationships of calculated percent body fat, sports participation, age, and place of residence on menstrual patterns in healthy adolescent girls at an independent New England high school
- Authors
- Wilson C, Emans SJ, Mansfield J et al.
- Journal
- Journal of adolescent health care : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
- Year
- 1984
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 87
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0197-0070(84)80126-6
Topics
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