The Relationship between Iron Intake with the Incidence of Primary Dysmenorrhea among Female High School Students at SMAIT Al-Kahfi, 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29313/bcsms.v5i3.21665Keywords:
Adolescence, iron intake, primary dysmenorrheaAbstract
Abstract. Adolescence represents a critical stage of physiological and hormonal development, characterized by the onset of menstruation. Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common complaints among adolescent girls. Nutritional factors, particularly iron intake, may influence menstrual pain through their role in hemoglobin synthesis and uterine oxygenation. This study aimed to determine the association between dietary iron intake and the incidence of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls at SMAIT Al-Kahfi, Indonesia. A quantitative analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach was applied. Ninety female students aged 15–17 years were recruited using stratified random sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Primary data were collected using a structured dysmenorrhea questionnaire and 3x24-hour food records. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses with Chi-square tests (p < 0.05). The results showed Of the total respondents, 77 (85.6%) experienced primary dysmenorrhea, while 13 (14.4%) did not. Seventy-three participants (81.1%) had inadequate iron intake (<15 mg/day), and 94.8% of those reported dysmenorrhea. The Chi-square analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between iron intake and the incidence of primary dysmenorrhea (p < 0.001). Low iron intake is significantly associated with a higher incidence of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls. Adequate dietary iron consumption may play a protective role in reducing menstrual pain. Future studies incorporating laboratory assessments of iron status are recommended to confirm these findings.
References
Latif S, Naz S, Ashraf S, Jafri SA. Junk food consumption in relation to menstrual abnormalities among adolescent girls: A comparative cross sectional study. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(8):2307–12.
Taheri R, Ardekani FM, Shahraki HR, Heidarzadeh-Esfahani N, Hajiahmadi S. Nutritional status and anthropometric indices in relation to menstrual disorders: A cross-sectional study. J Nutr Metab. 2020;2020.
Franco-Antonio C, Santano-Mogena E, Cordovilla-Guardia S. Dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and lifestyle habits in young university students in Spain: a cross-sectional study. J Nurs Res. 2025;33(1):e374.
Primalova A, Stefani M. The relationship between nutritional status, junk food consumption, and exercise habits of adolescent girls in Jakarta with the incidence of primary dysmenorrhea. Amerta Nutrition. 2024;8(1):104–15.
Masruroh N, Fitri NA. Hubungan kejadian dismenore dengan asupan fe (zat besi) pada remaja putri. Jurnal Dunia Gizi. 2019;2(1):23.
Wildayani D, Lestari W, Ningsih WL. Hubungan asupan zat besi dan kalsium dengan kejadian dismenore pada remaja putri. JOMIS (Journal of Midwifery Science). 2023;7(2):138–47.
Triyana NK, Wijayanti, Wulandari R. Pengaruh pemberian aromaterapi lemon (cytrus) terhadap penurunan skala dismenore pada remaja putri di asrama putri MAN 1 Surakarta. Al-Insyirah Midwifery: Jurnal Ilmu Kebidanan (Journal of Midwifery Sciences). 2024;13(1):53–60.
Kemenkes. Permenkes no 28 tahun 2019 angka kecukupan gizi yang dianjurkan. Available from: https://stunting.go.id/kemenkes-permenkes-no-28-tahun-2019-angka-kecukupan-gizi-yang-dianjurkan/
Hu Z, Tang L, Chen L, Kaminga AC, Xu H. Prevalence and risk factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea among Chinese female university students: a cross-sectional study. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol [Internet]. 2020;33(1):15–22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2019.09.004
Teherán AA, Piñeros LG, Pulido F, Mejía Guatibonza MC. WaLIDD score, a new tool to diagnose dysmenorrhea and predict medical leave in University students. Int J Womens Health. 2018;10:35–45.
Snehamay Chaudhuri. Essentials In Gynecology For Undergraduate Medical Students. New Delhi: CBS PUBLISHERS AND DISTRIBUTORS; 2019.
Muawanah N, Kurniawati M, Alamsyah PR, Widhi AS. Iron intake and stress level with primary dysmenorrhea in high school students. Media Gizi Indonesia. 2025;20(1):21–6.
Mauletha Putri Shafarani ZS. Hubungan asupan kalsium dan zat besi dengan kejadian dismenore pada remaja putri SMA Negeri 1 Boyolangu Tulungagung. Jurnal Kesehatan. 2024 Apr 1;12:1–6.
Ellie Whitney SRR. Understanding nutrition. 15th ed. Cengage Learning, 2018; 2019. 848 p.
Putri MP, Dary D, Mangalik G. Asupan protein, zat besi dan status gizi pada remaja putri. Journal of Nutrition College. 2022;11(1):6–17.
Shirlyn B. McKenzie, J David Bergeron, Kristin Landis-Piwowar LW. Clinical laboratory hematology. Third edit. Boston;United States: Pearson., 2015; 2016. 1000 p.
Arima LAT, Murbawani EA, Wijayanti HS. Hubungan asupan zat besi heme, zat besi non-heme dan fase menstruasi dengan serum feritin remaja putri. Journal of Nutrition College. 2019;8(2):87.
Rahmawati FC. Hubungan asupan zat besi dan usia menarche dengan kejadian dismenore pada remaja putri. Jurnal Penelitian Inovatif. 2023;2(3):469–76.
