Literatur Review: The Relationship Between Macronutrient Intake and Sleep Duration and the Occurrence of Menstrual Disorders in Women of Reproductive Age

Zul Fajri; M. Hamsah; Andi Kartini Eka Yanti; Asrini Safitri; Gina Isni Djanuaresty Iskandar

doi:10.71435/734647

Authors

Zul Fajri Universitas Muslim Indonesia
M. Hamsah Universitas Muslim Indonesia
Andi Kartini Eka Yanti Universitas Muslim Indonesia
Asrini Safitri Universitas Muslim Indonesia
Gina Isni Djanuaresty Iskandar Universitas Muslim Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71435/734647

Keywords:

Macronutrient Intake, Sleep Duration, Menstrual Disorders

Abstract

This literature review examines the relationship between macronutrient intake and sleep duration with the incidence of menstrual disorders in women of reproductive age. Based on a systematic analysis of ten selected scientific studies, the findings indicate that carbohydrate intake is significantly associated with menstrual disorders, particularly when high glycemic index foods and excessive added sugars are consumed, leading to hormonal imbalances through insulin dysregulation. Protein intake also shows a significant relationship, where both deficiency and excessive consumption of animal protein may disrupt ovulation, while plant-based protein demonstrates a protective effect. Fat intake, especially high saturated fat consumption, is linked to increased severity of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), whereas omega-3 fatty acids contribute to symptom relief. In addition, insufficient sleep duration (less than 7 hours per day) significantly increases the risk of menstrual irregularities and pain intensity. Biologically, these relationships are explained through multiple mechanisms, including disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, insulin resistance, increased prostaglandin production, and the reciprocal interaction between poor diet and inadequate sleep. Despite strong evidence, significant research gaps remain, particularly the lack of experimental or clinical studies examining the combined effects of dietary and sleep interventions on menstrual health. Therefore, a comprehensive approach integrating nutritional and lifestyle modifications is essential in managing menstrual disorders.

References

Ara, I., Maqbool, M., & Gani, I. (2022). Reproductive Health of Women: implications and attributes. International Journal of Current Research in Physiology and Pharmacology, 6(3), 8-18.

Ara, N., VK, A., Mustapha Kura, S., Ali Ahmada, H., Khatoon, N., & Abubakar Ally, T. (2024, February). Menstrual cycle effects on mental health outcomes: an ethnographic study. In BIO Web of Conferences (Vol. 86, p. 01011). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20248601011

Armour, M., Sinclair, J., Chalmers, K. J., & Smith, C. A. (2019). Self-management strategies amongst Australian women with endometriosis: A national online survey. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 19(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2431-x

Aromataris, E., & Pearson, A. (2021). The systematic review: An overview. AJN American Journal of Nursing, 114(3), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.naj.0000444496.24228.2c

Baker, F. C., & Lee, K. A. (2022). Menstrual cycle effects on sleep. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 17(2), 283–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.02.004

Barrios-De-Tomasi, J., Barrientos-Durán, A., Peña-Casanova, V., & Parra-Hernández, S. (2023). Lifestyle and menstrual cycle disorders: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4365. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03235-4

Baş, B., & Yıldırım, B. Y. (2024). The relationship between dietary habits and menstruation problems in women: A cross-sectional study. BMC Women's Health, 24, 393. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-021-01606-7

Calcaterra, V., Verduci, E., Stagi, S., & Zuccotti, G. (2024). How the intricate relationship between nutrition and hormonal equilibrium significantly influences endocrine and reproductive health in adolescent girls. Frontiers in nutrition, 11, 1337328. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1337328

Çengel, N., & Arslan, M. (2024). Relationship between menstruation period, nutrients intake and appetite with premenstrual syndrome. Journal of Human Sciences, 21(2), 160–173. https://doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v21i2.6459

Chen, X., Xiao, Z., Cai, Y., Huang, L., & Chen, C. (2022). Hypothalamic mechanisms of obesity-associated disturbance of hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis. Trends in endocrinology & metabolism, 33(3), 206-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2021.12.004

Das, P. K., Mukherjee, J., & Banerjee, D. (2023). Female reproductive physiology. In Textbook of veterinary physiology (pp. 513-568). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-9410-4_22

Estiani, K., & Djokosujono, K. (2020). Hubungan asupan gizi dengan kejadian premenstrual syndrome. Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat, 9(02), 93-98. https://doi.org/10.33221/jikm.v9i02.523

Gani, I., Ara, I., & Dar, M. A. (2023). Reproductive Health of Women: a comprehensive review. International Journal of Current Research in Physiology and Pharmacology, 7(4s).

Gusenbauer, M., & Haddaway, N. R. (2020). Which academic search systems are suitable for systematic reviews or meta-analyses? Evaluating retrieval qualities of Google Scholar, PubMed, and 26 other resources. Research Synthesis Methods, 11(2), 181–217. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1378

Hess, J. M., Stephensen, C. B., Kratz, M., & Bolling, B. W. (2021). Exploring the links between diet and inflammation: Dairy foods as case studies. Advances in Nutrition, 12(Suppl. 1), 1S–13S. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmaa073

Higgins, J. P. T., Thomas, J., Chandler, J., Cumpston, M., Li, T., Page, M. J., & Welch, V. A. (Eds.). (2023). Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions (Version 6.4). Cochrane. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.ed000142

Holesh, J. E., Aslam, S., & Martin, A. (2023). Physiology, carbohydrates. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Jenkins, D. J. A., Kendall, C. W. C., Augustin, L. S. A., Franceschi, S., Hamidi, M., & Marchie, A. (2022). Glycemic index: Overview of implications in health and disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 76(1), 266S–273S.

Jeon, B., & Baek, J. (2023). Menstrual disturbances and its association with sleep disturbances: A systematic review. BMC Women's Health, 23(1), 470. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02629-0

Jeon, B., & Baek, J. (2023). Menstrual disturbances and its association with sleep disturbances: a systematic review. BMC women's health, 23(1), 470. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02629-0

Kim, T., Nam, G. E., Han, B., Cho, S. J., Kim, J., & Eum, D. H. (2020). Associations of mental health and sleep duration with menstrual cycle irregularity: A population-based study. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 21(6), 619–626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0872-8

Knutson, K. L., Spiegel, K., Penev, P., & Van Cauter, E. (2020). The metabolic consequences of sleep deprivation. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 11(3), 163–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2007.01.002

Lateef, O. M., & Akintubosun, M. O. (2020). Sleep and reproductive health. Journal of Circadian Rhythms, 18, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.5334/jcr.190

Lefebvre, C., Glanville, J., Briscoe, S., Littlewood, A., Marshall, C., & Metzendorf, M. I. (2023). Searching for and selecting studies. In J. P. T. Higgins, J. Thomas, J. Chandler, M. Cumpston, T. Li, M. J. Page, & V. A. Welch (Eds.), Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions (Version 6.4). Cochrane.

Martire, F. G., Costantini, E., Ianes, I., d’Abate, C., De Bonis, M., Piccione, E., & Andreoli, A. (2026). Premenstrual Syndrome and Nutritional Factors: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Implications. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(3), 1124. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031124

Methley, A. M., Campbell, S., Chew-Graham, C., McNally, R., & Cheraghi-Sohi, S. (2014). PICO, PICOS and SPIDER: A comparison study of specificity and sensitivity in three search tools for qualitative systematic reviews. BMC Health Services Research, 14, 579. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-014-0579-0

Musulin, C., Yeshitila, N., & Harper, J. (2025). Periods and well-being: A focus group study to discuss how menstruation affects the well-being of women aged 18–40. Women's Health, 21, 17455057251362992. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057251362992

Nahdah, A. A., Nugrahayu, E. Y., & Hutahaean, Y. O. (2022). Hubungan Tingkat Stres Dengan Pola Asuh Orang Tua Yang Memiliki Anak Penyandang Autisme Di Pusat Layanan Autis Kota Samarinda. Verdure: Health Science Journal, 4(1), 206-215.

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., ... Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Palma, B. D., Tufik, S., & Mello, M. T. (2021). Sleep quality and body composition: Metabolic connections. Einstein (São Paulo), 19, eRB5470.

Rafique, N., & Al-Sheikh, M. H. (2018). Prevalence of menstrual problems and their association with psychological stress in young female students studying health sciences. Saudi medical journal, 39(1), 67. https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2018.1.21438

Robinson, J., Ferreira, A., Iacovou, M., & Kellow, N. J. (2025). Effect of nutritional interventions on the psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in women of reproductive age: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Nutrition reviews, 83(2), 280-306. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae043

Rugvedh, P., Gundreddy, P., & Wandile, B. (2023). The menstrual cycle’s influence on sleep duration and cardiovascular health: a comprehensive review. Cureus, 15(10).15(10), e47296. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.47296

Sacks, F. M., Lichtenstein, A. H., Wu, J. H. Y., Appel, L. J., Creager, M. A., Kris-Etherton, P. M., Miller, M., Rimm, E. B., Rudel, L. L., Robinson, J. G., Stone, N. J., & Van Horn, L. V. (2017). Dietary fats and cardiovascular disease: A presidential advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 136(3), e1–e23. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000510

Shechter, A., & Boivin, D. B. (2020). Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. International Journal of Endocrinology, 2020, 9072075. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9072075

Singh, S., Best, C., Dunn, S., Leyland, N., & Wolfman, W. L. (2013). Abnormal uterine bleeding in pre-menopausal women. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 35(5), S1–S28. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1701-2163(15)30912-1

Skoracka, K., Ratajczak, A. E., Rychter, A. M., Dobrowolska, A., & Krela-Kaźmierczak, I. (2021). Female fertility and the nutritional approach: The most essential aspects. Advances in Nutrition, 12(6), 2372–2386. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmab068

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039

Taheri, R., Ardekani, F. M., Shahraki, H. R., Heidarzadeh-Esfahani, N., & Hajiahmadi, S. (2020). Nutritional status and anthropometric indices in relation to menstrual disorders: A cross-sectional study. The Scientific World Journal, 2020, 5980685. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5980685

Tazinya, R. M. A., El-Mowafi, I. M., Hajjar, J. M., & Yaya, S. (2023). Sexual and reproductive health and rights in humanitarian settings: a matter of life and death. Reproductive Health, 20(1), 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01594-z

Thiyagarajan, D. K., Basit, H., & Jeanmonod, R. (2024). Physiology, menstrual cycle. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Valera, H., Chen, A., & Grive, K. J. (2025). The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, ovarian disorders, and brain aging. Endocrinology, 166(10), bqaf137. https://doi.org/10.1210/endocr/bqaf137

Xiong, Y., Li, S., Wang, C., Sun, D., Li, Z., Gu, H., ... & Chinese Stroke Association Guidelines Writing Group on Reperfusion Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke. (2025). Chinese stroke association guidelines on reperfusion therapy for acute ischaemic stroke 2024. Stroke and Vascular Neurology, 10(5), 527-541. https://doi.org/10.1136/svn-2024-003977