Understanding Menstrual Irregularities in Adolescents: Key Factors and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Background Menstrual health issues such as irregular menstruation and secondary amenorrhea can have a substantial impact on adolescent well-being. Since girls' reproductive health is crucial to global strength, the Sustainable Development Goals and United Nation Youth 2030 prioritize safe and dignified menstruation management. Despite the widespread recognition of numerous factors contributing to the risk of menstrual irregularities, this study investigated prevalence of menstrual irregularities among adolescents in Malang City, Indonesia, and to determine whether stress, depression, dietary intake, and physical activity are significant predictors of these irregularities. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted using cluster sampling and questionnaires to collect data from 482 adolescents across five sub-districts in Malang City. Bivariate analyses, t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were performed using SPSS to identify factors associated with menstrual irregularities. Results Menstrual irregularities were reported by 16% of respondents. Adolescents with regular cycles were significantly older than those with irregular cycles (p = 0.044, Mean ± SD: 16.24 ± 1.11). Secondary amenorrhea occurred in 8.4% of respondents with regular cycles (p < 0.001 ). Severe depression was present in 41% of those with irregular cycles compared to 28.3% with regular cycles (p = 0.004). A history of secondary amenorrhea was the strongest predictor of irregular cycles (OR = 5.509), with age and protein intake also contributing. Conclusion In conclusion, age, protein intake, and depression significantly predict menstrual irregularities among adolescents in Malang City, Indonesia. Targeted interventions focusing on dietary education and mental health support could improve adolescent menstrual health and overall well-being. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. These findings show that adolescents need tailored dietary and mental health interventions to improve menstrual health and sustained growth.