Menstrual Status Is Associated with the Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in a Japanese Young Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: There is evidence regarding the association between dysmenorrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although it is lacking in the Asian population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between menstrual status and IBS in a young Japanese. Methods: Overall, 4,693 female college students were included in the analysis of this study. Information regarding lifestyle habits, menstrual status (irregularity, pain severity, and medication), and IBS (Rome III criteria) was obtained using a self-reported questionnaire. Age, body mass index, exercise habits, smoking, drinking habits, and anemia were analyzed as potential confounders. Results: The prevalence of IBS was 6.1%. Moderate {adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27–2.91)} and heavy (adjusted OR: 2.14 [95% CI: 1.42–3.45]) menstrual pain were independently positively associated with IBS (p for trend = 0.001). Using medication sometimes (adjusted OR: 1.41 [95% CI: 1.09–1.84]) and often (adjusted OR: 1.60 [95% CI: 1.13–2.24]) was independently positively associated with IBS. There was no association between menstrual cycle and IBS. In subjects without functional dyspepsia, irregular menstrual cycle was independently positively associated with IBS. Conclusion: In the young Japanese population, menstrual pain and medications for menstrual pain may have a significant positive association with IBS.