Background: Menstrual irregularities are common among young women and may be influenced by body composition and cardiovascular parameters. Factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat percentage assessed through skinfold thickness, and blood pressure may affect hormonal balance and menstrual cycle regulation. Objective: To evaluate the association of BMI, blood pressure, and skinfold thickness with menstrual irregularities among female medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 45 female medical students aged 21–28 years in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Menstrual patterns were assessed using a structured self-reported questionnaire. BMI was calculated using the standard formula (kg/m²). Skinfold thickness at four sites (triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailiac) was measured using a skinfold caliper to estimate body fat percentage. Blood pressure was recorded using a standard sphygmomanometer. Associations between variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: Oligomenorrhea was the most prevalent menstrual irregularity (53.3%), followed by polymenorrhea and menorrhagia (40% each). BMI showed a significant association with menstrual irregularities (p<0.05). Skinfold thickness was significantly associated with Oligomenorrhea (p=0.042), polymenorrhea (p=0.009), and menorrhagia (p=0.019). Blood pressure showed a significant association with Oligomenorrhea (p=0.007). Conclusion: Increased BMI and higher body fat percentage are significantly associated with menstrual irregularities among young women, highlighting the importance of maintaining healthy body composition for reproductive health. Keywords: Menstrual irregularities, BMI, skinfold thickness, body fat percentage, blood pressure.
Mishra et al. (Thu,) studied this question.