The association between various menstrual disorders and well-being was mediated by anxiety: a cross-sectional study

Menstrual disorders are common health concerns that can negatively impact psychological well-being. This study examined the mediating role of future anxiety in the relationship between various menstrual disorders and well-being.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 Taiwanese women aged 18-48 from June 2021 to May 2022. Participants reported their menstrual cycles during the last six months. Individuals suffer from menstrual disorders if they have one of the following symptoms: infrequency, irregularity, abnormal flow volume, intermenstrual bleeding, pain/cramps, premenstrual symptoms, and one or more missed menstrual periods. Anxiety was evaluated using the Dark Future Scale. Well-being was measured using the World Health Organization's Well-being Index.

Mediation analysis revealed that premenstrual symptoms were directly associated with well-being (coefficient (B) = -4.39, p = 0.018) and indirectly via future anxiety (B = -2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-3.77, -0.86]). Additionally, the indirect effect of menstrual pains/cramps on well-being through future anxiety was significant, as the 95% CI did not include zero (B = -2.14, 95% CI [-3.81 to -0.71]). Intermenstrual bleeding between periods and abnormal light bleeding have indirect effects on well-being only via future anxiety (B = -1.84, 95% CI [-3.47, -0.41] and B = -1.58, 95% CI [-3.24, -0.06], respectively). However, for missed, infrequent, or irregular menstrual periods, future anxiety was not a significant mediator. We did not observe a significant relationship between heavy and well-being.

This study highlights that future anxiety partially mediates the link between premenstrual symptoms and well-being, suggesting both direct and indirect effects. Intermenstrual bleeding, abnormal light bleeding, and menstrual pains/cramps have no direct impact on well-being but influence well-being only through future anxiety. However, missed, infrequent, or heavy/prolonged bleeding or irregular menstrual periods showed no significant association with well-being.