Menstrual pain in Danish women correlated with low n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake.
Deutch B.
Aarhus University, Denmark.
OBJECTIVES: The hypothesis tested was that menstrual discomfort, e.g. dysmenorrhoea, known to be prostaglandin-mediated,
can be influenced by the dietary ratio of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The prostaglandins derived from marine n-3 fatty acids are normally less aggressive and therefore expected to be associated
with milder symptoms.
DESIGN: The question was surveyed in an epidemiological study based upon self-administered
questionnaires concerning menstrual history, present symptoms, general health, socioeconomic factors, and general dietary
habits. Two (prospective) 4-day dietary records were used to estimate average daily nutrient intake. SUBJECTS: The subjects
were recruited by advertising (about 220 volunteered); 181 healthy Danish women were selected, aged 20-45 years; they were
not pregnant and did not use oral contraceptives.
RESULTS: No correlations were found between socioeconomic or anthropometric data and menstrual problems. On the contrary
certain dietary habits, e.g. low intake of animal and fish products, and intakes of specific nutrients, were correlated with
menstrual pain.
CONCLUSION: The results were highly significant and mutually consistent and supported the hypothesis that a higher intake of
marine n-3 fatty acids correlates with milder menstrual symptoms.
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