Author(s)

Yukie Matsuura^1*, Kiko Akamine², Ayumi Murakami², Tokimi Wada³, Honoka Atsumi², Erina Kane⁴, Mizuki Yano², Toshiyuki Yasui¹

¹Department of Reproductive and Menopausal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.
²Graduate School of Health Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.
³Nursing Department, Osaka Medical College Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
⁴Nursing Department, Tokushima University Hospital, Tokushima, Japan.

Sensitivity to cold, which is a popular symptom in Japanese women, is associated with various symptoms such as shoulder stiffness and general fatigue. However, an association of sensitivity to cold with muscle strength has not been reported. The aim of the study was to clarify the associations of sensitivity to cold with handgrip strength and with menstruation-related symptoms in female university students in Japan. We recruited 278 female university students in Japan. Sensitivity to cold and menstruation-related symptoms including physical and psychological symptoms were assessed by using a self-administered questionnaire that we designed. Handgrip strength was measured by using a handgrip strength dynamometer. We received responses from 269 students. The prevalence rate of sensitivity to cold in the subjects was 54.3%. The students who had sensitivity to cold had a lower handgrip strength level (25.5 ± 3.8 kg) than did the students who did not have sensitivity to cold (26.7 ± 3.9 kg) (p = 0.017). Sensitivity to cold was associated with low body mass index. In addition, the students who had sensitivity to cold tended to have low back pain and constipation during menstruation. In conclusion, sensitivity to cold is an important symptom associated with muscle strength as well as menstruation-related symptoms for young women.

Sensitivity to Cold, Menstruation-Related Symptoms, Handgrip Strength, Menstrual Phase, Young Women

Matsuura, Y. , Akamine, K. , Murakami, A. , Wada, T. , Atsumi, H. , Kane, E. , Yano, M. and Yasui, T. (2021) Associations between Sensitivity to Cold, Menstruation-Related Symptoms and Handgrip Strength in Female University Students in Japan. Health, 13, 526-537. doi: 10.4236/health.2021.135040.