Changes in Hematological Parameters during Menstruation among Medical Students in Rajshahi: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Menstruation is a universal experience which is under discussed and poorly understood in our country. The aim of this study was to observe the significant differences in the distribution of hematological parameters of the respondents due to coordinated sequential hormonal changes that occurs during menstruation.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Public health, Varendra University, Rajshahi on 120 healthy female medical students with regular menstrual cycle (28±7 days) over a period of 1st January 2023 to 30th April 2023. Hematological parameters were measured by a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation statistic and Chi-square tests were applied on the collected data.

Results: Out of 120 respondents, 48 (40.00%) were within the age group of 19-20 years and 56 (46.7%) had experienced menarche at the age of 10-11 years. The mean Hb%, MCV, MCH, MCHC and ESR were 11.7±1.5 gm/dl, 78.7±6.6 Fl, 26.8±3.8 pg, 28.5±4.5 gm/dl and 32.0 mm/hr, respectively. There were statistically significant relationship of menstrual bleeding rate with Hb, MCV, MCHC and ESR level (p=0.021, p=0.021, p=0.003 and p=0.046, respectively). But there was no statistically significant relationship between menstrual bleeding rate and MCH level (p=0.513).

Conclusions: This study was a moderate attempt to determine regular variation in the different hematological parameters among normal healthy females medical students and needs further cyclical evaluation along with hormonal changes to be observed to for clear understanding.