Association Between Body Mass Index and Menstrual Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Female Students

Background: Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea is a common complaint among female students and may be influenced by various factors, including body mass index (BMI). Understanding this relationship is essential for early management and prevention strategies.Methods: This analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design involved 60 female students selected through purposive sampling. BMI was calculated based on weight and height measurements, while dysmenorrhea intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).Results: Spearman’s rho correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between BMI and menstrual pain intensity (p = 0.003, r = 0.377), indicating that higher BMI is associated with greater pain levels.Conclusion: There is a significant, albeit low, positive correlation between BMI and dysmenorrhea intensity in female university students. These findings suggest the importance of maintaining a healthy BMI to potentially reduce menstrual pain severity. Keywords: body mass index, dysmenorrhea, female students, menstrual pain, cross-sectional study