Experiencing pain during menstruation without a pelvic disease responsible for it is known as primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and is one of the most common painful gynecological conditions and one of the most common causes of pelvic pain among premenopausal women worldwide. Current estimates indicate that between 45% and 95% of female university students worldwide suffer from primary dysmenorrhea.
A recent study has analysed the possible influence of soft drink consumption on the development of primary dysmenorrhea in Chinese women, as this problem affects 40% of young university students in the Asian giant. The results have been published in the journal Scientific Reports and reveal the role played by different drinks in the intensity of these complaints.
Lower abdominal pain and cramping associated with primary dysmenorrhea can negatively impact women’s quality of life, lead to lost work hours, and increase health care costs. In the United States, approximately 600 million work hours are lost due to PD, resulting in an economic cost of $2 billion. In Japan, health care costs for PD patients can be up to 2.2 times higher than for women without the condition.
Previous research suggests that rates of primary dysmenorrhea are up to seven times higher in women who consume one or more servings of soft drinks per day compared to those who do not. Soft drinks are non-alcoholic, typically carbonated and flavored beverages that contain an average of 100 grams of sugar per liter, and their consumption has increased in recent decades, especially among children and adolescents.
Both soft drinks and coffee, traditionally Western beverages, have gained popularity in China, a country that historically preferred green tea. The caffeine in coffee has stimulating effects on the human nervous system, which can influence physical endurance, cognitive function, and mental health conditions such as anxiety.
Incidence of dysmenorrhea among soft drink and coffee consumers
This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 29 and October 22, 2020, with a sample of 1,809 female university students with an average age of 19.7 years, of whom 906 lived in rural areas. Of the participants, 852 were diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea, with 25.9% of cases classified as severe PD. 24.4% reported mild PD and 49.6% moderate PD.
The incidence of PD was also related to menstrual flow and cycle. Soft drink consumption was reported by 51% of participants with primary dysmenorrhea, compared with 48.8% of those without PD. Coffee was consumed by 44.8% of participants with PD and 55% of those without PD.
Weekly or less frequent consumption of soft drinks was associated with mild primary dysmenorrhea, while more severe pain was associated with higher consumption.
Women who consumed soft drinks were 24% more likely to have primary dysmenorrhea. Furthermore, the relationship between soft drink consumption and PD severity was dose-dependent; weekly or less frequent consumption was associated with mild primary dysmenorrhea, whereas more severe pain was associated with higher consumption. Among rural participants with primary dysmenorrhea, soft drink consumption was 40% more likely than those who consumed other beverages. Overall, soft drink consumption was associated with more severe PD.
On the other hand, the probability of suffering from moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea was 55% lower among those who drank coffee, although this association was not dose-dependent and further research is needed to understand the mechanisms that link coffee consumption with a protective effect for primary dysmenorrhea. Another Spanish study from a few years ago already reported a statistically significant association between dysmenorrhea or its severity and factors such as caffeine consumption, which supports the results of this new study.
How soft drinks affect primary dysmenorrhea
The high sugar content in soft drinks can cause nutritional imbalances due to reduced absorption of vitamins and minerals, which could affect muscle function and trigger the painful spasms typical of primary dysmenorrhea.
Furthermore, elevated levels of prostaglandins in the endometrium of women with primary dysmenorrhea may explain the relationship between soft drink consumption and the incidence of this disorder, since prostaglandins in these women are twice as high as in those without dysmenorrhea. Prostaglandins can be synthesized from compounds derived from dietary sugar. These compounds stimulate uterine contractions, which in turn constrict blood vessels and release anaerobic metabolites that cause pain.
High sugar consumption may also increase levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone. Increased cortisol levels could reflect dysregulated stress responses leading to primary dysmenorrhea in sugary soft drink consumers. Despite these hypotheses, further research is needed to clarify the exact mechanisms behind this association.
Carbonated soft drink consumption appears to be a risk factor for primary dysmenorrhea, especially among rural women, while coffee intake may protect against severe cases of dysmenorrhea. Therefore, it is crucial to educate young girls about the negative effects of excessive soft drink consumption, while moderate coffee consumption may help reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea.
