TITLE:
Menstrual Health Status and Associated Factors among Female University Students in Xindu District, Chengdu: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Fangfei Liu, Xinmei Wei, Fang Liu, Miaojing Li
KEYWORDS:
Menstrual Health, Dysmenorrhea, Premenstrual Symptoms, Female University Students, Health Education, Preventive Medicine
JOURNAL NAME:
Yangtze Medicine,
Vol.10 No.3,
August
21,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Menstrual discomfort among university students is not only a reproductive health concern but also a preventable campus health issue when associated with modifiable lifestyle, psychological, and knowledge-related factors. For university health promotion, identifying actionable risk factors may be more useful than documenting symptom prevalence alone. However, localized evidence on menstrual health and its determinants among female university students in Southwest China remains limited. Objective: This study investigated menstrual health status and factors associated with moderate-to-severe menstrual discomfort among female university students in Xindu District, Chengdu, China. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted from February to April 2026 among female students from three universities in Xindu District. Stratified random sampling was used, and 272 valid questionnaires were included. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and binary logistic regression were performed using SPSS. Results: Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms were common in the population, with more than 90% of respondents reporting dysmenorrhea at least occasionally. Menstrual discomfort affected learning efficiency, social activities, and emotional state. Logistic regression identified six independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe menstrual discomfort: maternal history of dysmenorrhea, high academic pressure, sleeping less than six hours per day, lack of regular exercise, frequent intake of raw, cold, or spicy foods during menstruation, and insufficient menstrual health-care knowledge. The odds ratios ranged from 2.024 to 2.785, and all associations were statistically significant. Conclusion: Menstrual discomfort among female university students is influenced by hereditary, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive factors. Campus-based preventive interventions should integrate health education, lifestyle guidance, psychological support, and accessible women’s health services.