The Relationship Between Stress Levels and Menstrual Cycles in Junior High School Girls N 1 Pringsewu

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationship between stress levels and menstrual cycle regularity among adolescent girls at SMP Negeri 1 Pringsewu in 2025.
Literature Review: Menstrual cycle irregularities are common reproductive health problems in adolescents, with psychological stress recognized as an important contributing factor due to its effects on the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and hormonal balance. Previous studies have reported that increased stress is associated with menstrual disorders.
Methodology: A quantitative analytical study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 46 female students selected through proportional random sampling from a population of 86 students. Stress levels were measured using the DASS-42 questionnaire, while menstrual cycle regularity was assessed using an observation sheet. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test with a significance level of 95% (α = 0.05).
Results: Most respondents experienced moderate stress (52.3%) and had regular menstrual cycles (77.9%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between stress levels and menstrual cycle regularity (p = 0.003), indicating that higher stress levels were associated with an increased likelihood of irregular menstruation.
Conclusions: Stress is a significant factor influencing menstrual cycle regularity among adolescent girls and should be considered in adolescent reproductive health programs.
Recommendations: Schools and healthcare providers should strengthen stress management and reproductive health education through counseling, healthy lifestyle promotion, and psychological support. Future research is recommended to include larger sample sizes, longitudinal designs, and additional variables such as nutritional status, physical activity, sleep quality, body mass index, and hormonal biomarkers to better understand factors affecting menstrual cycle regularity. The findings provide valuable evidence for developing school-based interventions to improve adolescents' reproductive and mental health.