Development and Effects of College-Based Lifestyle Modification Program for Menstrual Health of Young Adult Women with Irregular Menses: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop the ‘College-based Lifestyle Modification Program’ (College-based LMP) for young adult women with irregular menstruation and examine its effects after intervention. Methods: The College-based LMP consisted of small group education, individual physical exercise counseling/training, individual diet counseling, and feedback and support. Participants were comprised of 38 females who reported less than 10 irregular menstruations in a year and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The primary outcome variables consisted of menstrual cycle index (MCI), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and androgenic profile (testosterone—T, free androgen index—FAI), while the outcome variables included premenstrual symptoms (PMS), menstrual volume, body composition parameters, glycemic parameters (fasting blood sugar—FBS, insulin, HOMA-IR), sleep duration, perceived stress, and nutrient intake.. Results: There were no significant differences in primary outcome variables (MCI, SHBG, T, and FAI). In the variables, there were no significant differences except for the partial domain of PMS (symptoms of depression and anxiety) and sleep duration. Conclusions: The study was significant in that it demonstrated the importance of lifestyle, which could provide ordinary young adult women with healthy menstruation. The College-based LMP needs to be elaborated with further studies.

Life Modifications and PCOS: Old Story But New Tales

“…The most effective interventions include applicable diet modifications, increased physical activity and exercise modifications, and strategies to maintain adherence ( 29 ). Lifestyle modifications also appear to draw the ovulation function ( 30 ) as well as the menstrual cycle ( 31 ) into a regular level, which subsequently increases the successful pregnancy rates in PCOS patients. The studies reported that almost half of the PCOS patients would gain improvement both in regular menstrual cycle and ovulation function depending on the lifestyle modifications.…”

“…It is widely acknowledged that obesity is a vital mediator in the development of PCOS. The level of sex-hormone-binding globulin is decreased in obese females ( 31 ), resulting in elevated androgen in the circulation and then in the target tissue, which disrupts normal ovulatory function ( 32 ). Additionally, obesity is associated with an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes), and insulin resistance in female bodies.…”

Health behavior interventions for university students measuring mental health outcomes: A scoping review

“…Eight (13.6%) studies limited the inclusion criteria by sex (female-only participants) ( 29 , 40 , 56 , 58 , 70 , 79 , 83 , 88 ). Almost half of the studies ( n = 26, 44.1%) had further student-related inclusion/exclusion criteria ( 29 , 33 – 35 , 37 – 40 , 42 , 47 , 49 – 51 , 57 , 58 , 64 , 65 , 68 , 69 , 74 , 75 , 77 , 82 , 84 , 87 , 89 ), e.g., being a full-time student, undergraduate or graduate student, being a first-year student, and/or students enrolled in a specified university course.…”

“…In total, there were 92 intervention arms across the 59 studies. Of the 92 interventions, dietary behaviors were most commonly targeted ( n = 40, 43.5%) ( 29 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 40 – 42 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 53 , 56 , 57 , 59 – 62 , 70 , 71 , 75 , 78 , 79 , 82 , 84 , 86 – 89 ) followed by physical activity ( n = 39, 42.4%) ( 32 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 53 , 57 , 59 , 60 , 62 , 70 , 71 , 75 , 78 , 79 , 82 , 84 , 86 , 89 ), and alcohol intake ( n = 35, 38%) ( 34 , 36 , 42 – 44 , 48 , 52 , 54 , 60 , 64 – 66 , 68 , 69 , 72 – 74 , 83 , 84 , 86 , 87 ). Sedentary behavior ( n = 1, 1.1%) was the ...…”

“…Most of the interventions ( n = 52, 56.5%) targeted improvement in one behavior (e.g., diet, physical activity or alcohol intake only) ( 29 , 30 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 39 , 40 , 43 – 46 , 48 – 50 , 52 , 54 – 56 , 58 , 61 , 63 , 65 – 69 , 72 – 74 , 76 , 77 , 81 , 83 , 87 , 88 ). Among the studies that targeted two behaviors ( n = 27, 29.3%) ( 31 , 32 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 53 , 57 , 59 , 62 , 64 , 70 , 78 , 79 , 82 ), diet and physical activity were the most common combination (23 out of 27 studies). Alcohol intake and smoking were more focused on in the studies that targeted four to six behaviors ( 33 , 42 , 60 , 84 , 86 ).…”