Weight Loss Relying on Fasting and Diet Supplements... "Causes Severe Menstrual Pain"

by Byun Seonjin

Published 24 Apr.2023 12:00(KST)

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A study has found that women who lose weight through fasting or unapproved diet supplements may be more likely to experience dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).

According to research published this month in the Korean Medical Association's professional journal by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the National Institute of Health, among women who engaged in inappropriate weight control behaviors (22%), the risk of mild menstrual pain was 1.2 times higher, and the risk of severe menstrual pain was 1.5 times higher. The research team conducted the study on 5,829 adolescent and adult women of reproductive age aged 14 to 44 who participated in the 2016 "Korean Women's Health Awareness Survey and Issue Discovery by Life Cycle."

In particular, among these women, those who fasted or skipped meals had a 1.4 times higher risk, and those who consumed unapproved diet supplements had a 1.6 times higher risk of severe menstrual pain. It was also reported that "a weight change of more than 3 kg in the past year" and "consuming dining out or delivery food more than five times a week" could increase the risk of menstrual pain.

The research team explained the background of this study by stating, "The desire for a slim body shape is increasing among women. Especially among Koreans, many have a wrong perception or dissatisfaction with their own body shape," but added, "However, research related to reproductive health in women is still insufficient." They also expressed hope that "this could be used as basic evidence to promote reproductive health in women of reproductive age."

However, the research team emphasized, "Since this study is a cross-sectional study that cannot clearly establish causality, follow-up investigations to prove causality are necessary."

Meanwhile, this study was conducted under the Women's Health Research Project of the National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Director Ji Young-mi of the Disease Control and Prevention Agency urged, "Inappropriate weight control behaviors have been reported to adversely affect health, so it is important to manage weight in a healthy way through exercise and diet control."