Are health promoting lifestyles associated with pain intensity and menstrual distress among Iranian adolescent girls?

Objective The present study investigated the relationship between a health-promoting lifestyle and menstrual pain intensity and distress among adolescent girls in Qazvin. Methods A cross-sectional survey study using a two-stage sampling method was conducted. The participants (n = 986) were female high school students aged 14-19 years living in Qazvin. Random cluster sampling was used to recruit participants from schools and classes from each grade. An online survey was provided to all participants to complete. Data were collected using a Demographic and Menstrual Characteristics Checklist, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess dysmenorrhea intensity, the Andresh Milsom Scale (AMS) to assess dysmenorrhea severity, the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MMDS) to assess menstrual distress, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) to assess a health promoting lifestyle. Data were analyzed using an univariable linear regression model at a significance level of 0.05. Results The findings indicated that 421 participants (42.7%) experienced dysmenorrhea with a mean duration of 2.24 days (SD = 1.57) and a mean pain intensity of 4.62 on the VAS (SD = 2.87). The mean score on the menstrual distress on the MDDS was 13.55 (SD = 8.88) and the mean score on the HPLP was 2.55 (SD = 0.50). Based on the results of univariable linear regression, nutrition (beta=-0.18, p < 0.001) and exercise (beta=-0.17, p < 0.001) had the most significant effect on the severity of dysmenorrhea pain. Also, self-actualization (beta=-0.29, p < 0.001), stress management (beta=-0.25, p < 0.001) and nutrition (beta=-0.25, p < 0.001) had the most significant effect on menstrual distress. Conclusion Based on these findings, it is suggested that (i) improving nutrition and exercise might reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea pain and (ii) improving self-actualization, stress management and nutrition might reduce the severity of menstrual distress. Overall, it seems that improving health-promoting lifestyle behaviors can help improve the severity of dysmenorrhea pain and menstrual distress among adolescent girls.