Effects of Menstrual Symptoms on Dietary Intake Frequency

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: The symptoms that are seen due to changes in hormone levels during menstruation may lead to changes in the dietary intake frequency and eating behaviors of women. This study was conducted to determine the effects of menstrual symptoms on changes in the dietary intake frequency of women. Method: The data of this descriptive study were collected between May and June 2024 from 393 women aged 18-45 who had regular menstruation and were selected by snowball sampling using an online survey. A Descriptive Information Form, the Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire and the Nutrition Consumption Frequency Change Scale of Change were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: The participants had significantly higher dietary intake levels of traditional beverages and dietary supplements during menstruation in comparison to before menstruation (P < 0.001). Menstrual symptoms were identified as factors that significantly affected the intake of traditional beverages and dietary supplements by the participants, as well as their overall dietary intake. Conclusion: Menstrual symptoms of women significantly affected their intake of traditional beverages, intake of dietary supplements, and general dietary intake during menstruation.<br /> (c) 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.