An Examination of Factors Promoting a more Regular Menstrual Cycle among Female Undergraduates: Focusing on the Number of Years Since Menarche

Abstract

The current study examined factors that promoted a more regular menstrual cycle among 49 female undergraduates, with a focus on the number of years since menarche, diet, and lifestyle. When 21 undergraduates with less than 8 years since menarche were examined, there were no clear differences between those with a regular menstrual cycle and those with an irregular menstrual cycle in terms of dietary intake or lifestyle habits. When, in contrast, 28 undergraduates with more than 8 years since menarche were examined, those with a regular menstrual cycle had a significantly higher intake of manganese, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-carotene equivalent, folic acid in nutrients and green and yellow vegetables in food group. Those with a regular menstrual cycle had a significantly more sleep than those with an irregular menstrual cycle, too.

This suggests that it is necessary to consider measures for stabilization of the menstrual cycle after considering whether the age of the first passage has passed 8 years.