The effect of gynecologic age, body mass index and psychosocial environment on menstrual regularity among teenaged females

Background. The aim was to study the prevalence of menstrual irregularity at an early postmenarcheal age and various biopsychosocial factors associated with menstrual irregularity. Methods. The study was conducted in Tartu, Estonia. The 70-item questionnaire and the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were completed by 580 female students of grades 9-12 in four high schools. Their height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. The effects associated with regularity of the menstrual cycle were studied. Results. Irregularity of the menstrual cycle was reported by 40% of respondents at an early postmenarcheal age. The risks for irregular menstrual cycles (IRM) were BMI < 17.5 kg/m(2)[odds ratio (OR) 2.06; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06-4.00], low economic status IRM [OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.41-2.20)], insufficient communication with parents [OR 1.46 (95% CI 1.02-2.09)], and never pleased to go to school [OR 1.27 (95% CI 1.03-1.56)]. Comparison of the answers to the BDI with the regularity of periods revealed a difference in the total score [OR 1.54 (95% CI 1.21-1.97)], with a mean score of 8.3 +/- 0.4 for the respondents with regular menstrual cycles (RM) vs. 10.6 +/- 0.5 for the respondents with IRM. Conclusion. Menstrual irregularity at an early postmenarcheal age can be considered as an indicator of difficulties in psychosocial adaptability of teenaged females.