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The European Journal of Contraception &... Apr 2021Fertility tracking devices offer women direct-to-user information about their fertility. The objective of this study is to understand how a fertility tracking device...
OBJECTIVE
Fertility tracking devices offer women direct-to-user information about their fertility. The objective of this study is to understand how a fertility tracking device algorithm adjusts to changes of the individual menstrual cycle and under different conditions.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of women who were using the device between January 2004 and November 2014. Available temperature and menstruation inputs were processed through the Daysy 1.0.7 firmware to determine fertility outputs. Sensitivity analyses on temperature noise, skipped measurements, and various characteristics were conducted.
RESULTS
A cohort of 5328 women from Germany and Switzerland contributed 107,020 cycles. Mean age of the sample was 30.77 [SD 5.1] years, with a BMI of 22.07 kg/m^2 [SD 2.4]. The mean cycle length reported was 29.54 [SD 3.0] days. The majority of women were using the device 80-100% of the time during the cycle (53.1%). For this subset of women, the fertility device identified on average 41.4% [SD 6.4] possibly fertile (red) days, 42.4% [SD 8.7] infertile (green) days and 15.9% [SD 7.3] yellow days. The number of infertile (green) days decreases proportionally to the number of measured days, whereas the number of undefined (yellow) days increases.
CONCLUSION
Overall, these results showed that the fertility tracker algorithm was able to distinguish biphasic cycles and provide personalised fertility statuses for users based on daily basal body temperature readings and menstruation data. We identified a direct linear relationship between the number of measurements and output of the fertility tracker.
Topics: Adult; Female; Fertility; Germany; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Retrospective Studies; Switzerland
PubMed: 33555223
DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2021.1871599 -
Fertility and Sterility Aug 2022
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstruation
PubMed: 35786307
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.06.004 -
Family Medicine and Community Health Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Female; Family Practice; Women's Health; Menstruation
PubMed: 38599789
DOI: 10.1136/fmch-2023-002149 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology... Oct 2014To provide a Canadian consensus document for health care providers with recommendations for menstrual suppression in patients with physical and/or cognitive challenges... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To provide a Canadian consensus document for health care providers with recommendations for menstrual suppression in patients with physical and/or cognitive challenges or those who are undergoing cancer treatment in whom menstruation may have a deleterious effect on their health.
OPTIONS
This document reviews the options available for menstrual suppression, its specific indications, contraindications, and side effects, both immediate and long-term, and the investigations and monitoring necessary throughout suppression.
OUTCOMES
Clinicians will be better informed about the options and indications for menstrual suppression in patients with cognitive and/or physical disabilities and patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or other treatments for cancer.
EVIDENCE
Published literature was retrieved through searches of Medline, EMBASE, OVID, and the Cochrane Library using appropriate controlled vocabulary and key words (heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual suppression, chemotherapy/radiation, cognitive disability, physical disability, learning disability). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, observation studies, and pilot studies. There were no language or date restrictions. Searches were updated on a regular basis and new material was incorporated into the guideline until September 2013. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching websites of health technology assessment and health technology-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies.
VALUES
The quality of evidence was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1).
BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS
There is a need for specific guidelines on menstrual suppression in at-risk populations for health care providers. Recommendations 1. Menstrual suppression and therapeutic amenorrhea should be considered safe and viable options for women who need or want to have fewer or no menses. (II-2A) 2. Menstrual suppression should not be initiated in young women with developmental disabilities until after the onset of menses. (II-2B) 3. Combined hormonal or progesterone-only products can be used in an extended or continuous manner to obtain menstrual suppression. (I-A) 4. Gynaecologic consultation should be considered prior to the initiation of treatment in all premenopausal women at risk for abnormal uterine bleeding from chemotherapy. (II-1A) 5. Leuprolide acetate or combined hormonal contraception should be considered highly effective in preventing abnormal uterine bleeding when initiated prior to cancer treatment in premenopausal women at risk for thrombocytopenia. (II-2A).
Topics: Canada; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Precision Medicine
PubMed: 25375306
DOI: 10.1016/S1701-2163(15)30442-4 -
Journal of Molecular Endocrinology Jul 2018We recently discovered the first known menstruating rodent. With the exception of four bats and the elephant shrew, the common spiny mouse () is the only species outside... (Review)
Review
We recently discovered the first known menstruating rodent. With the exception of four bats and the elephant shrew, the common spiny mouse () is the only species outside the primate order to exhibit menses. There are few widely accepted theories on why menstruation developed as the preferred reproductive strategy of these select mammals, all of which reference the evolution of spontaneous decidualisation prior to menstrual shedding. Though menstruating species share several reproductive traits, there has been no identifiable feature unique to menstruating species. Such a feature might suggest why spontaneous decidualisation, and thus menstruation, evolved in these species. We propose that a ≥3-fold increase in progesterone during the luteal phase of the reproductive cycle is a unique characteristic linking menstruating species. We discuss spontaneous decidualisation as a consequence of high progesterone, and the potential role of prolactin in screening for defective embryos in these species to aid in minimising implantation of abnormal embryos. We further explore the possible impact of nutrition in selecting species to undergo spontaneous decidualisation and subsequent menstruation. We summarise the current knowledge of menstruation, discuss current pre-clinical models of menstruation and how the spiny mouse may benefit advancing our understanding of this rare biological phenomenon.
Topics: Animals; Embryo Implantation; Endometrium; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Menstruation; Mice; Progesterone
PubMed: 29789322
DOI: 10.1530/JME-17-0278 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... May 2019The common spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) is the only known rodent to demonstrate a myriad of physiological processes unseen in their murid relatives. The most recently... (Review)
Review
The common spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) is the only known rodent to demonstrate a myriad of physiological processes unseen in their murid relatives. The most recently discovered of these uncharacteristic traits: spontaneous decidual transformation of the uterus in virgin females, preceding menstruation. Menstruation occurring without experimental intervention in rodents has not been documented elsewhere to date, and natural menstruation is indeed rare in the animal kingdom outside of higher order primates. This review briefly summarises the current knowledge of spiny mouse biology and taxonomy, and explores their endocrinology which may aid in our understanding of the evolution of menstruation in this species. We propose that DHEA, synthesised by the spiny mouse (but not other rodents), humans and other menstruating primates, is integral in spontaneous decidualisation and therefore menstruation. We discuss both physiological and behavioural attributes across the menstrual cycle in the spiny mouse analogous to those observed in other menstruating species, including premenstrual syndrome. We further encourage the use of the spiny mouse as a small animal model of menstruation and female reproductive biology.
Topics: Animals; Decidua; Female; Haplorhini; Humans; Menstruation; Mice; Murinae
PubMed: 30610663
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1390-3 -
Journal of Adolescence Dec 2020Most Indian studies on menstruation include only girls/women as participants, making it a 'women's' topic. This exclusion of adolescent boys fails to understand...
INTRODUCTION
Most Indian studies on menstruation include only girls/women as participants, making it a 'women's' topic. This exclusion of adolescent boys fails to understand menstruation as a social epidemiological entity with existing gender inequalities. For engaging boys to play a meaningful role in improving women's health, studying their knowledge, beliefs regarding topics such as menstruation and socioeconomic characteristics influencing their menstruation-related experiences need attention. Addressing this is an essential step for reducing gender disparities in adolescent health. Thus, we explore boys' knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding menstruation and the impact of social determinants on their menstruation-related experiences.
METHODS
A sequential mixed-methods study comprising 21 semi-structured interviews, 5 Focus Group Discussions and 12 key respondent interviews; followed by a cross-sectional survey of 744 boys from Nashik district, India was conducted. We employed thematic analysis for qualitative data and multivariable regression to model risk ratios for outcomes.
RESULTS
An amalgam of curiosity and awkwardness regarding menstruation was observed. Many lacked accurate knowledge and possessed misinformation. Social and individual-level determinants influenced boys' menstruation related experiences. Fully adjusted models revealed that being admitted in private unaided schools; having mothers with at least a college education; and comfort with teacher positively influenced boys'knowledge, attitudes and beliefs (incidence rate ratios at 95% CI: 2.67 [1.02, 6.95], p < 0 0.05; 3.16 [1.35, 7.38], p < .05 and 1.92 [1.24, 2.99],p < .01, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Our study highlights the need of improving Indian boys' understanding and beliefs about menstruation by addressing the social determinants that influence their menstruation-related experiences.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Health; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exploratory Behavior; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; India; Male; Men; Menstruation; Qualitative Research; Young Adult
PubMed: 33122150
DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.09.013 -
Headache Mar 2021To investigate between and within-woman differences in the association between menstruation and migraine days.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate between and within-woman differences in the association between menstruation and migraine days.
BACKGROUND
Prior diary studies have shown that at the population level, aggregating across individuals, the odds of migraine increase during the perimenstrual window (from day -2 to day +3, where +1 is the first day of bleeding). These studies have been neither long nor large enough to assess the association between migraine and menses from an individual perspective. Consequently, existing research on menstrual-related migraine has largely overlooked between and within-woman variation that is critical for progressing clinical understanding and practice.
METHODS
Intensive longitudinal data for the current study were collected in a digital platform (N1-Headache ) that tracks individual migraine-related factors daily. Participants for the current study were actively menstruating adult (18+ years old) women who used the platform. Two variables were of primary interest, migraine day (no/yes) and menstrual status (inside or outside the 5-day perimenstrual window).
RESULTS
The sample consisted of 203 women with a mean age of 35.6 (SD = 8.7) years. At baseline, the women reported an average of 30.6 (SD = 23.6) headache days over the last 3 months. Analyses were based on a total of 53,302 days (median of 150 per person), 18,520 of which were migraine days (median of 44 per person), and a total of 2,126 menstrual cycles (median of 7 per person). Results showed that the 5-day perimenstrual window was associated with a 34% increase in odds of a migraine day compared to other days (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.23-1.45, p < 0.0001). Importantly, there was between and within-woman variability in the association between menses and migraine days (between-woman variability: p = 0.002; within-woman [between-cycles] variability: p < 0.0001). Exploration of these individual differences demonstrated that relationship between menses and migraine days varied more within-person across cycles than between women.
DISCUSSION
This study supports previous research and demonstrates that the odds of migraine days are elevated from day -2 to day +3 of the menstrual cycle. We also show that the effect of menses on migraine days varies more within-woman than between-women. This work provides an initial foundation for better understanding menstrual-related migraine from the perspective of the individual patient.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Time Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 33605450
DOI: 10.1111/head.14058 -
Health Care For Women International Jun 2016Premenstrual symptoms are often reported from reproductive-aged women worldwide. The etiologies of the symptoms are complex (e.g., biological and sociocultural factors),... (Review)
Review
Premenstrual symptoms are often reported from reproductive-aged women worldwide. The etiologies of the symptoms are complex (e.g., biological and sociocultural factors), and require an international and multidisciplinary approach. A total of 48 studies were reviewed on how stress and premenstrual symptoms have been defined and measured, and major findings on relational patterns and other associated factors were examined. Subsequently, we discuss several trends and limitations identified from the review. Prospective studies, which use valid assessment measures and consider women's subjective and objective symptoms for several menstrual cycles, are necessary for a valid conclusion. More intervention studies and studies on various populations are needed.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstruation; Premenstrual Syndrome; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 25988289
DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2015.1049352 -
Journal of the American Pharmacists... 2024Menstrual health is composed of physical and psychosocial factors and fundamental to the well-being of menstruating individuals. Clinicians are urged to assess markers...
Menstrual health is composed of physical and psychosocial factors and fundamental to the well-being of menstruating individuals. Clinicians are urged to assess markers of menstruation as a vital sign, informing potential current and future health risks. Period poverty, or lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, sanitation, and clinical support, is a concern worldwide, particularly for vulnerable populations. As global health authorities and professional medical associations call for menstrual health as a priority, pharmacists are well-positioned to contribute solutions through access, education, advocacy, and research.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstruation; Hygiene; Menstrual Hygiene Products; Poverty; Educational Status; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 37940100
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.11.004