Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Changes in mood, appetite, dietary intakes and physic during a menstrual cycle has been controversial in studies. The aim of this study is to determine the nutritional behavior and body changes during the menstrual cycle in women of childbearing age by comparing dietary records and anthropometric measurements in three phases of menstrual cycle.

Method: This prospective study included 34 healthy regularly menstruating women aged 20-39 years in April-May 2022. Women were followed during one menstrual cycle, three face to face interviews were conducted at three phases during a cycle. The phases of menstrual cycle of women was determined as secretory, menstruation and proliferative by a obstetrician. The data form consists of questions on sociodemographic characteristics such as age, marital status, income, education level and the second part consist of questions about nutritional behaviors at the three phases of menstrual cycle. All anthropometric measurements were taken at the three phases of menstrual cycle via bioelectrical impedance analysis. Three day food records were taken in three phases of menstrual cycle.

Result: There were not any changes of anthropometric measurements during the menstrual cycle. Women had significant changes between phases on experiencing anxiety, tiredness, irritability, depressive thinking, pain, swelling and edema, sweet craving and appetite increase (P<0.05). These mood and appetite changes reduced especially in proliferative phase. In menstruation phase, an increase in fiber, vitamin B1, vitamin B9, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc intake compare to secretory phase was detected. Although energy, carbohydrates and protein intakes increased in menstruation phase, and fat intake was higher in proliferative phase, these changes were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Women who participated to this study had changes in moods and appetite but not in anthropometric measurements during a menstrual cycle. Understanding these changes is of great importance for women’s and menstrual health. Keywords: Dietary Intake; Menstrual cycle; Women; Weight