Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the most prevalent gynecological conditions and a significant cause of pelvic pain among pre-menopausal women, affecting 45–95% of female university students. While not life-threatening, PD can severely impact the quality of life and productivity, leading to considerable economic losses and higher healthcare costs for nations.
Several studies have indicated a link between soft drink consumption and PD. The high sugar content in soft drinks, often averaging 100 g/L, along with their increasing popularity, raises concerns about their potential impact on health.
A cross-sectional study carried out by Wang et al., which was recently published in the journal “Scientific reports” aimed to analyze the association between soft drink intake and the incidence and severity of PD among Chinese female undergraduates (n = 1,809), including a stratified analysis based on urban and rural residency. The prevalence of PD was 47.1%, with 25.9% experiencing severe pain. Carbonated soft drink intake was associated with a higher risk of PD (odds ratio, OR = 1.244), especially in rural areas (OR = 1.402) compared to people not consuming carbonated beverages. Conversely, coffee consumption was protective against PD severity of PD (OR = 0.451) (See graphic).
(Source: Wang L, Wen S, Li X, Maxwell A, Chi H, Fan S, Wang G, Guo Q, Lu P. Associations between soft drinks intake and primary dysmenorrhea among Chinese undergraduate female students. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):21210. Doi:10.1038/s41598-024-71802-8)