Adverse Effects of Dietary Habits on Menstrual Disorders in Young Women

It has been accepted that food customs are closely associated with quality of life in women of the reproductive age. Food customs are speculated to not only influence the present life style but also to induce gynecological disorders such as dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation. Although there is no constant definition of regular or normal menstruation, epidemiologic evaluation of menstrual cycle has been becoming an important issue. In addition, latent development of organic diseases such as endometriosis, which are accompanied by dysmenorrhea, is a concern under the current nutritional environment in young women. Thus, it is an important issue to evaluate the present situation of eating habits in young women and estimate the influence of these habits on the quality of reproductive functions. Therefore, in this review, recent articles that are concerned with these issues have been reevaluated.