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The Journal of School Nursing : the... Dec 2022The purpose of this pilot study was to expand understanding of the experience of menstruation for girls in the United States and its impact in the school setting. A...
The purpose of this pilot study was to expand understanding of the experience of menstruation for girls in the United States and its impact in the school setting. A qualitative approach was used to gather data from focus group interviews. Descriptive content analysis was used to categorize the range and types of menstruation experiences described by 12 participants aged 12-16 years. Findings revealed four main themes: (1) learning about menstruation, (2) experiencing menstruation, (3) managing menstruation, and (4) social norms and meaning of menstruation. Participants described multiple challenges faced learning about and experiencing menstruation, especially in the school setting. Participants described the limited understanding of menstruation experiences and confusion about the use of menstrual hygiene products. Challenges experienced at school included not having adequate access to menstrual hygiene products, limited time for changing products, fear of leaking menstrual blood, and impacts on school attendance. School nurses are well-positioned to contribute to creating school environments that are supportive of menstruation.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstruation; Pilot Projects; Hygiene; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Students
PubMed: 33207994
DOI: 10.1177/1059840520974234 -
Human Reproduction Update 2015Each month the endometrium becomes inflamed, and the luminal portion is shed during menstruation. The subsequent repair is remarkable, allowing implantation to occur if... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Each month the endometrium becomes inflamed, and the luminal portion is shed during menstruation. The subsequent repair is remarkable, allowing implantation to occur if fertilization takes place. Aberrations in menstrual physiology can lead to common gynaecological conditions, such as heavy or prolonged bleeding. Increased knowledge of the processes involved in menstrual physiology may also have translational benefits at other tissue sites.
METHODS
Pubmed and Cochrane databases were searched for all original and review articles published in English until April 2015. Search terms included 'endometrium', 'menstruation', 'endometrial repair', 'endometrial regeneration' 'angiogenesis', 'inflammation' and 'heavy menstrual bleeding' or 'menorrhagia'.
RESULTS
Menstruation occurs naturally in very few species. Human menstruation is thought to occur as a consequence of preimplantation decidualization, conferring embryo selectivity and the ability to adapt to optimize function. We highlight how current and future study of endometrial inflammation, vascular changes and repair/regeneration will allow us to identify new therapeutic targets for common gynaecological disorders. In addition, we describe how increased knowledge of this endometrial physiology will have many translational applications at other tissue sites. We highlight the clinical applications of what we know, the key questions that remain and the scientific and medical possibilities for the future.
CONCLUSIONS
The study of menstruation, in both normal and abnormal scenarios, is essential for the production of novel, acceptable medical treatments for common gynaecological complaints. Furthermore, collaboration and communication with specialists in other fields could significantly advance the therapeutic potential of this dynamic tissue.
Topics: Embryo Implantation; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Menstruation; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Regeneration
PubMed: 26253932
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmv038 -
International Journal of Behavioral... Apr 2022Puberty and menstruation are significant stressors for adolescent girls and young women in low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about...
BACKGROUND
Puberty and menstruation are significant stressors for adolescent girls and young women in low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about the impact of these stressors on girls' mental health and reproductive health.
METHODS
In 2018, a cross-sectional self-report survey was conducted with 581 adolescent girls and young women between 13 to 21 years old who had reached menarche and were attending secondary school in Moshi, Tanzania. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships of puberty-related stressors and menstruation-related stressors (menstrual deficits, movement/activity difficulties, and menstrual symptoms) to depression, anxiety, and the likelihood of reporting reproductive tract infection (RTI) symptoms.
RESULTS
Puberty-specific stressors, menstrual symptoms, and menstrual deficits were associated with depression and anxiety. Movement/activity difficulties were associated with anxiety. Increases in menstrual symptoms, menstrual deficits, puberty stressors, and depression were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting a lifetime RTI. However, the relationship of puberty stressors and depression with RTIs was no longer significant in two of three models after correcting for Type I error.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, puberty- and menstruation-related stressors were associated with mental health and symptoms of reproductive tract infections. This suggests there is an important relationship between stressors specific to adolescent girls and young women during puberty, mental health, and reproductive health. There is a need for adolescent-tailored interventions to reduce the negative impact of stressors among girls transitioning through puberty in sub-Saharan Africa.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Menstruation; Puberty; Reproductive Tract Infections; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tanzania; Young Adult
PubMed: 34195917
DOI: 10.1007/s12529-021-10005-1 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Jan 2016Past studies have clearly shown the existence of a spectrum of endometrial progesterone responses in neonatal endometrium, varying from proliferation to full... (Review)
Review
Past studies have clearly shown the existence of a spectrum of endometrial progesterone responses in neonatal endometrium, varying from proliferation to full decidualization with menstrual-like shedding. The bleedings represent, similar to what occurs in adult menstruation, a progesterone withdrawal bleeding. Today, the bleeding is completely neglected and considered an uneventful episode of no clinical significance. Yet clinical studies have linked the risk of bleeding to a series of events indicating fetal distress. The potential link between the progesterone response and major adolescent disorders requires to be investigated by prospective studies.
Topics: Endometrium; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Menstruation; Prospective Studies; Uterine Hemorrhage
PubMed: 26685798
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2015.11.022 -
Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland :... 2019The Aim: To evaluate risk factors for dysmenorrhea in women of reproductive age and to review its characteristics. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The Aim: To evaluate risk factors for dysmenorrhea in women of reproductive age and to review its characteristics.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Material and Methods: A questionnaire was conducted among 354 women followed by a statistical analysis of the gathered data.
RESULTS
Results: Among the interviewed women 84.2 % suffer from painful menstruations. Women under 25 years of age are more likely to experience pain, which reduces with age. Dysmenorrhea is more common among women whose menstrual cycles are irregular (92.5%) with a number of bleeding days 4-7 (90.7 %), though still occurring within the normal 21-35 days interval (87.6 %). Nulliparous women are more likely to experience menstrual pain (89.9 %).
CONCLUSION
Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea depends on women's age, length of menstrual bleeding, length of menstrual cycle and its regularity, age at menarche and parity, but does not depend on body mass index and smoking status.
Topics: Adult; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Menarche; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Pregnancy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31175722
DOI: No ID Found -
Women & Health Mar 2024Women experiencing homelessness are marginalized not only through their housing status but also through their access and ability to manage their menstrual health.... (Review)
Review
Women experiencing homelessness are marginalized not only through their housing status but also through their access and ability to manage their menstrual health. Currently, there are no existing published reviews exploring this topic. This study aimed to begin closing that gap, by systematically reviewing the literature examining women's experiences of menstruation whilst being homeless. In June 2020 (and updated in December 2022), we conducted comprehensive and systematic searches of four electronic databases: Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsychINFO, from which nine studies were found. The findings were thematically analyzed, using the enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research tools (ENTREQ) guidelines. Three themes related to menstrual experiences were found: (1) challenges in the logistics of managing menstruation while homeless, (2) feelings of embarrassment, shame, and dignity linked to maintaining menstrual health, and (3) making do: how people experiencing homelessness manage challenges related to menstruation. We discuss barriers women face in getting necessary products and in accessing private, safe, and clean facilities to manage menstrual health. The study found that women living with homelessness often abandon other basic needs in favor of managing menstruation (i.e. using unsuitable materials, stealing, etc.), which furthers their risk. The findings highlight the need for future research to investigate the experiences of women who are menstruating while being homeless and what support they would find helpful. Results show that it is high time for commissioners and policy-makers to address the provision of menstrual resources as a basic human right.
Topics: Humans; Female; Ill-Housed Persons; Social Problems; Qualitative Research; Shame; Menstruation
PubMed: 38343133
DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2024.2310716 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Apr 2021The study aimed to analyse the factors affecting menstrual symptoms and attitudes among adolescent girls and the relationship between them. The sample of the...
The study aimed to analyse the factors affecting menstrual symptoms and attitudes among adolescent girls and the relationship between them. The sample of the cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical research was composed of 604 adolescent girls studying at a university. Individual Information Form, Menstruation Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) and Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) were used as data collection tool in the research. Average age of the students was 21.22 ± 1.71, and average menstrual cycle length was 29.3 ± 7.85 days. MSQ mean score was 69.84 ± 15.48 and MAQ mean score was 103.10 ± 9.84. These results are important for showing that students perceive menstruation as a natural phenomenon, despite significant menstrual symptoms.Impact statement The intensity of menstrual symptoms is associated with negative menstrual attitudes. But, there have been few studies on the relationship between menstruation symptoms and attitudes and their impact on menstrual problems in Turkish adolescents. Adolescents' menstrual complaints are common, but their attitudes towards menstruation are positive. The lack of a significant relationship between menstrual symptoms and attitudes were more likely to be explained by the fact that young girls perceive menstruation as a natural phenomenon even though they have so many symptoms. Further study should be extended to various cultures and destinations to understand the effect of culture on menstruation that rural areas may be surrounded by taboos and myths which might affect the negative attitude.
Topics: Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Menstruation; Menstruation Disturbances; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33045873
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2020.1789962 -
PloS One 2020An understanding of menstruation and its relationship to fertility can help women know the gestational age of any pregnancies, and thus identify preterm births. It can...
An understanding of menstruation and its relationship to fertility can help women know the gestational age of any pregnancies, and thus identify preterm births. It can also help women avoid unintended pregnancies. However, little is known about women, and especially men's, menstruation and fertility knowledge, outside of research on adolescent girls and stigma, and in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Additionally, little is known about practices surrounding the tracking of menstruation and fertility, and how, if at all, women would like to be supported in this. This research is the first phase in adapting a support tool for women in a LMIC, using an implementation science approach to understand relevant cultural needs. We explored women and men's understanding of the relationship between menstruation and fertility, and their interest in support tools, through in-depth qualitative interviews in rural western Kenya. We interviewed 45 adult men, adult women and adolescent women all who had children in 2018. We found high levels of misinformation about menstruation and fertility, with most respondents not knowing the correct times when a woman could become pregnant. Common sources of knowledge included friends/family and school. Few women got information from health providers, even when they were at a facility already for care. There were mixed feelings from women about wanting support from male partners regarding tracking menstruation. While women were interested in a tool that could help them track their menstruation and pregnancies, they had privacy concerns about a mobile health app approach and preferred simpler calendar based tools. This study provides evidence for the high need for correct menstruation information among both men and women, and not only for adolescents. It also suggests that despite the international health community's enthusiasm for mobile health solutions, that approach might not be most appropriate for this topic and setting.
Topics: Adult; Female; Fertility; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Kenya; Male; Menstruation; Poverty; Pregnancy; Rural Population; Young Adult
PubMed: 32126117
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229871 -
Clinical Science (London, England :... Feb 2024The impact of COVID-19 on menstruation has received a high level of public and media interest. Despite this, uncertainty exists about the advice that women and people... (Review)
Review
The impact of COVID-19 on menstruation has received a high level of public and media interest. Despite this, uncertainty exists about the advice that women and people who menstruate should receive in relation to the expected impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID or COVID-19 vaccination on menstruation. Furthermore, the mechanisms leading to these reported menstrual changes are poorly understood. This review evaluates the published literature on COVID-19 and its impact on menstrual bleeding, discussing the strengths and limitations of these studies. We present evidence consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection and long COVID having an association with changes in menstrual bleeding parameters and that the impact of COVID vaccination on menstruation appears less significant. An overview of menstrual physiology and known causes of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is provided before discussing potential mechanisms which may underpin the menstrual disturbance reported with COVID-19, highlighting areas for future scientific study. Finally, consideration is given to the effect that menstruation may have on COVID-19, including the impact of the ovarian sex hormones on acute COVID-19 severity and susceptibility and reported variation in long COVID symptoms across the menstrual cycle. Understanding the current evidence and addressing gaps in our knowledge in this area are essential to inform public health policy, direct the treatment of menstrual disturbance and facilitate development of new therapies, which may reduce the severity of COVID-19 and improve quality of life for those experiencing long COVID.
Topics: Female; Humans; Endometrium; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Quality of Life; COVID-19 Vaccines; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Menstruation; Uterine Hemorrhage; Menstruation Disturbances
PubMed: 38372528
DOI: 10.1042/CS20220280 -
Qualitative Health Research Aug 2017Experiences and constructions of menarche and menstruation are shaped by the sociocultural environment in which women are embedded. We explored experiences and...
Experiences and constructions of menarche and menstruation are shaped by the sociocultural environment in which women are embedded. We explored experiences and constructions of menarche and menstruation among migrant and refugee women resettled in Sydney, Australia, and Vancouver, Canada. Seventy-eight semistructured individual interviews and 15 focus groups comprised of 82 participants were undertaken with women from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sri Lanka, and varying South American countries. We analyzed the data using thematic decomposition, identifying the overall theme "cycles of shame" and two core themes. In "becoming a woman," participants constructed menarche as a marker of womanhood, closely linked to marriage and childbearing. In "the unspeakable," women conveyed negative constructions of menstruation, positioning it as shameful, something to be concealed, and polluting. Identifying migrant and refugee women's experiences and constructions of menarche and menstruation is essential for culturally safe medical practice, health promotion, and health education.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Afghanistan; Australia; Canada; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Iraq; Menarche; Menstruation; Qualitative Research; Refugees; Shame; Social Stigma; Somalia; South America; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Transients and Migrants; Young Adult
PubMed: 27742765
DOI: 10.1177/1049732316672639