The relationship between body mass index and dysmenorrhea in adolescents: A Literature Review

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is defined as menstrual cramps which are considered as one of the most common gynecological disorders in women of childbearing age, especially adolescents, dysmenorrhea occurs due to the production of high levels of prostaglandins. Not a few women with dysmenorrhea experience the impact of decreased daily activities to the use of painkillers because the pain is unbearable. Around 70-90% of cases of menstrual pain occur during adolescence so that it will affect academic, social and sports activities. Previous studies have shown that BMI can affect the risk of dysmenorrhea. Further research is needed to better understand how these factors can influence each other.
Method: This study is a literature review, drawing from sources in Google Scholar, PUBMED, and Science Direct, focusing on research published between 2019 and 2024. The study included only original research articles in English or Indonesian with all the required components.
Result and Discussion: From the literature search, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 9 studies found a correlation between BMI and dysmenorrhea, while 1 study found no correlation.
Conclusion: According to reviews, BMI is associated with the risk of dysmenorrhea in adolescents, although some studies have not shown an association.