Elements of eating pattern and intensity of dysmenorrhea – a cross-sectional study in sample of Polish women

Background: The importance of dietary pattern for pain relief in women with dysmenorrhea is increasingly discussed in the literature. It is believed that a proper eating pattern may have pain-relieving properties. Therefore, a development of a perfect composition of diet for patients with dysmenorrhea constitutes a major challenge. Aim of the study: The present study aimed to characterise the eating pattern of women with severe and moderate menstrual pain among Polish women with dysmenorrhea. Material and methods: The observational cohort study was conducted among 718 women, divided into two subgroups: Group 1 (G1) comprised women suffering from severe pain (N = 355), while Group 2 (G2) involved women with moderate pain (N = 363). Two measurement tools were used in the study: The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and an original questionnaire for assessing the frequency of consumption of selected groups of food products. Results: Average consumption of vegetables, fruits, dairy products and coffee was significantly lower in G1 than in G2. On the other hand, average consumption of meat, fish and fast food products was significantly higher in G1 than G2. The greatest effect size was observed for the consumption of coffee as well as fruits and vegetables. Women from G2 had a diet similar to the lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, whereas those from G1 followed a Western model diet that contains fast food products as well as food rich in sugar, salt and saturated fatty acids. Conclusions: The proper diet should be promoted among women suffering from dysmenorrhea and the use of nutrition supported by a proper diet should be particularly important in the treatment offered to this group of patients.