Vitamin D and PTH status among adolescent and young females with severe dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Objective: To investigate Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) status among adolescent and young females with severe and very severe dysmenorrhea.

Design: Cross-sectional study in specific selected sample.

Setting: One Jordanian university.

Participants: Fifty-six females, ages between 17 and 24 years, with severe and very severe dysmenorrhea were surveyed regarding demographics, pain with menstruation, and dietary intake of dairy products. Plasma Vitamin D, PTH levels were measured.

Results: About 61% of the studied population experience very severe dysmenorrhea. Half of participants had dairy intake less than 1 serving per day. The majority of participants (80%) had insufficient plasma vitamin D and 48% of them had hyperparathyroidism.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism and/or low dietary calcium intake among adolescent and young adult females who experience severe and very severe dysmenorrhea may negatively affect bone metabolism during achievement of peak bone mass at a young age and adverse bone health at older age.

Keywords: Calcium; Dairy products; Dysmenorrhea; Hyperparathyroidism; Vitamin D.