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Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis :... Feb 2024Women or people with a uterus are vulnerable to both normal and abnormal bleeding. During the reproductive years, the uterus is prepared physiologically to accept an... (Review)
Review
Women or people with a uterus are vulnerable to both normal and abnormal bleeding. During the reproductive years, the uterus is prepared physiologically to accept an embryo and support its growth and development during pregnancy, or in the absence of implantation of an embryo, recycle through the process of menstruation and accept an embryo a month or so later. If fertilization takes place and an embryo or embryos implant in the uterus, the fetal trophoblast, or outer cell layer of the embryo, invades and dilates the maternal spiral arteries and forms the placenta. No matter when in gestation a pregnancy ends, at the conclusion of pregnancy, the placenta should separate from the wall of the uterus and be expelled. Abnormal bleeding occurs during pregnancy or after delivery when the normal uteroplacental interface has not been established or is interrupted; during miscarriage; during ectopic pregnancy; during premature separation of the placenta; or during postpartum hemorrhage. Heavy menstrual bleeding, a subset of abnormal menstrual bleeding, can be quantitatively defined as >80 mL of blood loss per cycle. Unlike postpartum hemorrhage, heavy menstrual bleeding is significantly associated with an underlying bleeding disorder. While there is other reproductive tract bleeding in women, notably bleeding at the time of ovulation or with a life-threatening ruptured ectopic pregnancy, the unique bleeding that women experience is predominantly uterine in origin. Many of the unique aspects of uterine hemostasis, however, remain unknown.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Menorrhagia; Menstruation; Pregnancy, Ectopic
PubMed: 37709147
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.08.034 -
Women's Health (London, England) 2022There has been increased attention to university students' experiences of menstrual disorders, and access to menstrual products, in high-income countries. Less attention...
OBJECTIVES
There has been increased attention to university students' experiences of menstrual disorders, and access to menstrual products, in high-income countries. Less attention has been directed to other aspects of their menstrual experience, including confidence for menstrual management. This study aimed to understand the factors affecting university students' confidence to manage menstruation at university.
METHODS
An online survey was completed by 410 participants (age range: 16-46 years, mean = 20.1 years) who menstruate and study at an Australian university. Participants reported demographic characteristics, confidence to manage menstruation at university, and personal, physical and environmental factors. A Mann-Whitney U-test analysed differences in confidence between groups of students. Pearson's correlation coefficient and bivariate linear regressions determined associations between factors and confidence. Statistically significant associations were inputted into a multiple linear regression model. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
RESULTS
A minority of students (16.2%) felt completely confident to manage their menstruation at university. Menstrual knowledge, positive perceptions of menstruation and comfort to discuss menstruation with others positively predicted confidence. Physical menstrual symptoms, negative perceptions of menstruation, perceived stigma and using a menstrual cup or period underwear predicted lower confidence. In multiple regression, private and clean and sanitary university bathroom facilities, changing menstrual products at university, perceived stigma and negative perceptions of menstruation remained significant predictors.
CONCLUSION
Most students did not have complete confidence to manage their menstruation at university. Several personal, physical and environmental factors were related to students' confidence to manage menstruation. Assessment of these factors in future research with university students is recommended to enable a comprehensive understanding of their menstrual needs, and inform interventions aimed at improving their menstrual management confidence at university.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Australia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Menstruation; Middle Aged; Students; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 35001743
DOI: 10.1177/17455065211070666 -
Gait & Posture Mar 2021The effects of the menstrual cycle and primary dysmenorrhea (PD) on phase-related cognitive and physical functions are controversial. This study was carried out to...
BACKGROUND
The effects of the menstrual cycle and primary dysmenorrhea (PD) on phase-related cognitive and physical functions are controversial. This study was carried out to examine whether women with PD showed a different physical function or dual-tasking response than women without PD at times other than menstruation.
METHODS
Women with or without PD were recruited for the study. Individuals assessed on the first day of the menstruation and the day they reported themselves as well being (feeling good day-FGD). Zebris © FDM Type Force Platform was used to evaluate postural stability. Individuals have were asked to perform to a 3-step balance test protocol; the first session: comfortable upright standing; the second session: standing with a motor task; the third session: standing with a cognitive task (counting backward). Correctly calculated numbers were also recorded.
RESULTS
The number of correct answers given by individuals during the cognitive dual-task was similar on the first day of menstruation and FGD (p > 0.05). In the control group, no difference was observed between the first days of menstruation and the evaluations on FGD days with dual-task (p > 0.05). In individuals with PD, there was no difference between the measurements at different times (p > 0.05). However, in the assessment with the motor dual-task on the first day of menstruation; postural sway increased (p < 0,05). In FDG measurement; distortion in postural stability was observed with the cognitive task (p < 0,05). In the assessments performed on the first day of menstruation, there was no difference in any parameters between the groups (p > 0.05). In the measurements made on FGD day with the cognitive task; there was a difference between the groups (p < 0,05). Individuals with PD had higher postural sway.
SIGNIFICANCE
This study showed that the primary dysmenorrhea is not only a problem for females during menstruation, primary dysmenorrhea causes impaired ability of the individual to perform dual-tasking and continuously affects postural stability.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Case-Control Studies; Cognition; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Menstruation; Multitasking Behavior; Postural Balance; Young Adult
PubMed: 33517042
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.01.019 -
Culture, Health & Sexuality Jul 2024Menstruation is an embodied experience that influences menstruators' perceptions of the self and body. The stigma surrounding menstruation and its negative...
Menstruation is an embodied experience that influences menstruators' perceptions of the self and body. The stigma surrounding menstruation and its negative representation in popular culture has consequences for women's sexual and reproductive health. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with forty 18-50 year old participants who used reusable menstrual products to examine their experience of menstruation and how their use of these products shaped their self-body image. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants commonly reported physical, medical and emotional improvement in menstrual experience and improved acceptance of the menstrual body alongside changes in feeling towards menstrual products and related issues. The participants described menstruation, menstrual blood, and the menstrual body more positively than before, reported a high comfort level with and in their bodies, and rejected common representations of menstruation. Findings suggest that using reusable menstrual products can contribute to body appreciation. Given these benefits, further research is needed to assess how knowledge of alternative menstrual products can stimulate positive views about the menstruating body and contribute to menstrual health.
Topics: Humans; Female; Menstruation; Adult; Qualitative Research; Menstrual Hygiene Products; Israel; Body Image; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Interviews as Topic
PubMed: 37782548
DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2023.2260465 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Oct 2022
Topics: Exanthema; Female; Humans; Menstruation
PubMed: 35970708
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.06.049 -
International Journal For Equity in... Jun 2016The potential menstrual hygiene management barriers faced by adolescent girls and women in workplace environments in low- and middle-income countries has been under...
The potential menstrual hygiene management barriers faced by adolescent girls and women in workplace environments in low- and middle-income countries has been under addressed in research, programming and policy. Despite global efforts to reduce poverty among women in such contexts, there has been insufficient attention to the water and sanitation related barriers, specifically in relation to managing monthly menstruation, that may hinder girls' and women's contributions to the workplace, and their health and wellbeing. There is an urgent need to document the specific social and environmental barriers they may be facing in relation to menstrual management, to conduct a costing of the implications of inadequate supportive workplace environments for menstrual hygiene management, and to understand the implications for girls' and women's health and wellbeing. This will provide essential evidence for guiding national policy makers, the private sector, donors and activists focused on advancing girls' and women's rights.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Developing Countries; Female; Health Policy; Humans; Menstruation; Women's Health; Workplace
PubMed: 27268416
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-016-0379-8 -
Biology of Reproduction May 2020Here we have summarized what is currently known about menstruating animal species with special emphasis on non-primate species: length of their menstrual cycle,... (Review)
Review
Here we have summarized what is currently known about menstruating animal species with special emphasis on non-primate species: length of their menstrual cycle, ovulation, implantation, placentation, decidualization, and endometrial characteristics. Having an overview of all the possible animal models that can be used to study menstruation and the menstrual cycle could be useful to select the one that better matches the needs of the individual research projects. The most promising species to study menstruation seems to be the spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus. It is a rodent that could be easily held in the existing laboratory facilities for rats and mice but with the great advantage of having spontaneous menstruation and several human-like menstrual cycle characteristics. Among the species of menstruating bats, the black mastiff bat Molossus ater and wild fulvous fruit bat Rousettus leschenaultii are the ones presenting the most human-like characteristics. The elephant shrew seems to be the less suitable species among the ones analyzed. The induced mouse model of menstruation is also presented as an adaptable alternative to study menstruation.
Topics: Animals; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Models, Animal
PubMed: 32129461
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa029 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2023Period poverty is a global issue that needs to be addressed as a public health crisis. It is directly related to Sustainable Health Goals three, four, five, six, and... (Review)
Review
Period poverty is a global issue that needs to be addressed as a public health crisis. It is directly related to Sustainable Health Goals three, four, five, six, and eight. Period poverty adversely affects the health of anyone capable of menstruating, which is nearly half of the world population, at the physiological, emotional, and psychosocial level. Biases, cultural beliefs, ethical reproductive justice issues, social stigma, and systemic factors contribute to period poverty. Every month, certain menstruators are disproportionately impacted by period poverty and struggle to access basic hygienic necessities. Important stakeholders include not only the individual who experiences menses but also educators and school systems, healthcare professionals, policymakers, public health officials, and researchers. Everyone has a role in addressing period poverty by voting for officials that proactively support legislation, policy, and programs at all levels to effectively advocate for menstrual equity and address barriers contributing to period poverty. This includes policies that increase access to menstrual hygiene products, safe menstrual management methods, and reproductive and women's health education. Programs globally that focus on capacity building and sustainability strategies can be used as models to reduce period poverty, thereby fostering a sense of empowerment and menstruators' sense of autonomy, dignity, and equality.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstruation; Public Health; Hygiene; Schools; Poverty; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 38063548
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237118 -
International Journal of Public Health Mar 2019This study presents a scoping review of evidence relating to knowledge and experiences of puberty and menstruation among females aged 10-14 years in low- and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
This study presents a scoping review of evidence relating to knowledge and experiences of puberty and menstruation among females aged 10-14 years in low- and middle-income countries.
METHODS
Forty-four items from 12 countries were identified from a systematic scoping review and screening of 8083 items. Included studies were quality assessed.
RESULTS
A majority (40/44) of studies used school-based samples, and fifteen studies reported on interventions. Girls had inadequate knowledge about menstruation; menarche as a trigger for girls learning about menstruation was common. Adolescents struggled with menstrual hygiene. Negative emotions were associated with menarche and menstrual management. A minority of studies dealt explicitly with puberty. Most girls obtained information about menstruation and/or puberty from their mothers, although mothers were not necessarily girls' preferred source for learning about these topics.
CONCLUSIONS
Young adolescent girls are under-prepared for puberty and menstruation. Predominantly school-based studies mean we know little about young out-of-school adolescents. The evidence base lags behind the rise in interest from practitioners as well as the development (and evaluation) of puberty and/or menstruation interventions.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Income; Menarche; Menstruation; Poverty; Puberty
PubMed: 30740629
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-019-01209-0 -
Harefuah Nov 2018
Review
Topics: Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Menstruation; Time Factors
PubMed: 30457235
DOI: No ID Found