Risk Factors of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Female Adolescent Basketball Players Related to Dietary, Hormonal, and Immuno-Metabolic Factors and Disordered Eating Attitudes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a condition characterized by painful pelvic cramps onsetting shortly before menses and lasting for 3 days, negatively impacting the quality of life of young females. Further, menstrual cycle disorders are common in athletes. This study investigated differences in dietary habits, hormonal and immuno-metabolic parameters, and susceptibility to disordered eating attitudes (DEAs) between dysmenorrheic (D group) and non-dysmenorrheic (no-D group) young female basketball players. It also aimed to identify risk factors for PD, focusing on nutrition, anthropometric parameters, and biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: The study included 25 female basketball players (mean age: 16 years), categorized into D and no-D groups. Blood samples were analyzed for hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory markers, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, cortisol, prolactin, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, C-reactive protein, lipid profile, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Dietary intake was assessed via a three-day food record, and DEA susceptibility was evaluated using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Logistic regression identified independent PD risk factors. Results: The D group had significantly higher EAT-26 scores and prolactin and cortisol levels than the no-D group (p = 0.0284, p = 0.0108, p = 0.0035, respectively). Elevated prolactin, cortisol, and EAT-26 scores were associated with increased PD risk (OR = 1.75; OR = 1.02; OR = 1.14). Conclusions: Female basketball players with PD show higher prolactin and cortisol levels and greater DEA susceptibility. These factors may contribute to PD risk, warranting further research.