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Does Ramadan fasting has any effects on menstrual cycles?
Mahnaz Yavangi1, Mohammad Ali Amirzargar2, Nasibeh Amirzargar3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatemieh Infertility Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|March 19, 2014
Summary
Ramadan fasting significantly increases menstrual abnormalities, peaking during the fasting month and persisting afterward, particularly in those fasting over 15 days. This impacts women's reproductive health.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive endocrinology
- Nutritional science
- Public health
Background:
- Ramadan involves daily fasting from dawn to sunset, creating cycles of fasting and refeeding.
- Menstrual cycle regularity is governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
- Factors like weight loss, stress, and eating behaviors can cause menstrual dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Ramadan fasting on menstrual cycles.
Main Methods:
- An analytic cross-sectional study involving 80 female college students.
- Data collected via questionnaires on demographics and menstrual calendars.
- Statistical analysis performed using SPSS software.
Main Results:
- Menstrual abnormalities were observed in 11.3% before, 30% during, and 16.3% after Ramadan.
- Fasting for over 15 days correlated with significantly higher menstrual abnormality rates.
- Abnormalities peaked during Ramadan and decreased but did not normalize post-fasting.
Conclusions:
- Ramadan fasting is associated with increased menstrual abnormalities such as oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, and hypermenorrhea.
- The prevalence of menstrual irregularities is highest during Ramadan, especially for those fasting more than 15 days.
- These abnormalities persist even three months after Ramadan.
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