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American Journal of Epidemiology Jun 2023
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Vaccination
PubMed: 36883904
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwad049 -
Reproductive Health Jan 2022Menopause nomenclature varies in the scholarly literature making synthesis and interpretation of research findings difficult. Therefore, the present study aimed to... (Review)
Review
Menopause nomenclature varies in the scholarly literature making synthesis and interpretation of research findings difficult. Therefore, the present study aimed to review and discuss critical developments in menopause nomenclature; determine the level of heterogeneity amongst menopause definitions and compare them with the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria. Definitions/criteria used to characterise premenopausal and postmenopausal status were extracted from 210 studies and 128 of these studies were included in the final analyses. The main findings were that 39.84% of included studies were consistent with STRAW classification of premenopause, whereas 70.31% were consistent with STRAW classification of postmenopause. Surprisingly, major inconsistencies relating to premenopause definition were due to a total lack of reporting of any definitions/criteria for premenopause (39.84% of studies). In contrast, only 20.31% did not report definitions/criteria for postmenopause. The present findings indicate that there is a significant amount of heterogeneity associated with the definition of premenopause, compared with postmenopause. We propose three key suggestions/recommendations, which can be distilled from these findings. Firstly, premenopause should be transparently operationalised and reported. Secondly, as a minimum requirement, regular menstruation should be defined as the number of menstrual cycles in a period of at least 3 months. Finally, the utility of introducing normative age-ranges as supplementary criterion for defining stages of reproductive ageing should be considered. The use of consistent terminology in research will enhance our capacity to compare results from different studies and more effectively investigate issues related to women's health and ageing.
Topics: Aging; Female; Humans; Menopause; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Women's Health
PubMed: 35101087
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01336-7 -
Perspectives on Psychological Science :... Jul 2020A considerable amount of recent psychological research has attributed a variety of menstrual-cycle-related changes in social behavior to evolutionarily adaptive...
A considerable amount of recent psychological research has attributed a variety of menstrual-cycle-related changes in social behavior to evolutionarily adaptive functions. Although these studies often draw interesting and unusual conclusions about female emotion and behavior within evolutionary theory, their significant limitations have not yet been addressed. In this article, we outline several methodological and conceptual issues related to the menstrual cycle that constitute threats to the internal validity and theoretical integrity of these studies. We recommend specific guidelines to address these issues and emphasize the need to apply more comprehensive and sophisticated theoretical structures when considering menstrual-cycle-related changes in emotion and behavior.
Topics: Biological Evolution; Biomedical Research; Emotions; Female; Humans; Individuality; Menstrual Cycle; Social Behavior
PubMed: 32539582
DOI: 10.1177/1745691620906440 -
Neurologic Clinics May 2016Epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs affect the menstrual cycle, aspects of contraception, reproductive health, pregnancy, and menopause through alteration of sex steroid... (Review)
Review
Epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs affect the menstrual cycle, aspects of contraception, reproductive health, pregnancy, and menopause through alteration of sex steroid hormone pathways. Sex steroid hormones often have an effect on seizure frequency and may alter the level of some antiepileptic drugs. Approximately one-third of women experience an increase in perimenstrual and/or periovulatory seizure frequency. Some women experience an increase in seizure frequency during pregnancy. Balancing maternal seizure control and the risk of congenital malformations associated with fetal antiepileptic drug exposure may be challenging. Some antiepileptic drugs are associated with cognitive and behavioral teratogenesis and should be avoided if possible during pregnancy.
Topics: Anticonvulsants; Epilepsy; Female; Humans; Menopause; Menstrual Cycle; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 27086987
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.11.009 -
Journal of Occupational and... Jan 2021This study identifies the menstrual cycle irregularities of Latinx child and adolescent farmworkers.
PURPOSE
This study identifies the menstrual cycle irregularities of Latinx child and adolescent farmworkers.
METHODS
Child and adolescent farmworkers aged 13 to 20 years completed questionnaires about menstrual cycle patterns in 2019, and wore silicone passive collection wristbands for pesticide detection in 2018. Menstrual cycle irregularities were determined from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists committee opinion.
RESULTS
Half of participants experienced any menstrual cycle irregularity; the most frequent irregularities were cycle length (38.6%) and having gone 90 days or more without a menstrual period (20.4%). Pesticides were detected in 92.9% of the wristbands; most participants were exposed to an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) pesticide.
CONCLUSION
Half of Latinx children and adolescents hired farmworkers experience irregular menstrual cycles, and most are exposed to EDCs. Inclusion of occupational and menstrual histories in child and adolescent medical visits is critical.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Family; Farmers; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation Disturbances; Pesticides
PubMed: 33105405
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002065 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Feb 2021The menstrual cycle is regulated by a complex interplay between endometrial epithelial cells, endothelial cells, immune cells, and sex hormones. To communicate, cells...
INTRODUCTION
The menstrual cycle is regulated by a complex interplay between endometrial epithelial cells, endothelial cells, immune cells, and sex hormones. To communicate, cells secrete cytokines that have multiple and diverse effects on recipient cells. Knowledge of how these cells interact in the uterus is insufficient. Menstrual blood is easily accessible and provides a source to study menstrual cycle physiology. This study aimed to determine the cytokine profile in menstrual blood plasma and investigate the differences in cytokine profiles between menstrual and peripheral blood plasma. Several previous studies indicate an improved chance of embryo implantation after endometrial scratching. Consequently, our secondary aim was to compare the menstrual blood cytokine profile before and after luteal phase endometrial scratching.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Nineteen healthy donors collected menstrual blood for the first 24 hours of menstruation in two sequential cycles. Matched peripheral blood was taken at the same time. An endometrial biopsy was performed at cycle day 7-9 post ovulation in between the two collection times. A Luminex multiplex assay was performed in one batch analyzing a predetermined group of cytokines in plasma.
RESULTS
Peripheral blood plasma and menstrual blood plasma showed substantial significant differences in cytokine profile. In menstrual blood plasma, C5/C5a, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and CXCL8 were detected in high concentrations, whereas IL-2, IL-12p70, XCL1/Lymphotactin, and interferon-γ were low. The most pronounced median differences between menstrual and peripheral blood plasma were found for IL-6, IL-1β, and CXCL8. The cytokine profiles of menstrual blood plasma were similar between the individual donors and did not differ over two subsequent cycles. None of the cytokines analyzed in menstrual blood plasma differed significantly before or after luteal phase endometrial scratching (P < .01).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that the menstrual blood cytokine profile is distinctly different from peripheral blood plasma and that the inter-individual difference in menstrual blood cytokine profile in healthy donors is limited and stable over time. The small injury caused by an endometrial biopsy does not change the cytokine profile in the subsequent menstrual cycle. Our study provides new insights into menstrual cycle physiology.
Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Cytokines; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Luteal Phase; Menstruation; Young Adult
PubMed: 32892344
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13990 -
European Journal of Sport Science May 2022This review explores the effects of oestrogen and progesterone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle on fluid and electrolyte balance. The review aims to provide... (Review)
Review
This review explores the effects of oestrogen and progesterone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle on fluid and electrolyte balance. The review aims to provide information on this topic for the exercising female but also for researchers working in this field. Beginning with a basic introduction to fluid and electrolyte balance, the review goes on to describe how oestrogen and progesterone have independent and integrated roles to play in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance. Despite evidence that oestrogen can influence the osmotic threshold for arginine vasopressin release, and that progesterone can influence aldosterone production, these actions do not appear to influence fluid retention, plasma volume changes at rest and during exercise, or electrolyte losses. However, the large inter-individual variations in hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may mean that specific individuals with high fluctuations could experience disturbances in their fluid and electrolyte balance. During phases of oestrogen dominance (e.g. late-follicular phase) heat dissipation is promoted, while progesterone dominance (e.g. mid-luteal phase) promotes heat conservation with overall higher basal body temperature. However, these responses do not consistently lead to any change in observed sweat rates, heat-stress, or dehydration during exercise. Finally, the literature does not support any difference in fluid retention during post-exercise rehydration periods conducted at different menstrual cycle phases. Although these mean responses largely reveal no effects on fluid and electrolyte balance, further research is required particularly in those individuals who experience high hormonal fluctuations, and greater exploration of oestrogen to progesterone interactions is warranted.
Topics: Estrogens; Female; Humans; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle; Progesterone; Water-Electrolyte Balance
PubMed: 34121620
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1939428 -
Breast Cancer Research : BCR May 2023Many factors, including reproductive hormones, have been linked to a woman's risk of developing breast cancer (BC). We reviewed the literature regarding the relationship... (Review)
Review
Many factors, including reproductive hormones, have been linked to a woman's risk of developing breast cancer (BC). We reviewed the literature regarding the relationship between ovulatory menstrual cycles (MCs) and BC risk. Physiological variations in the frequency of MCs and interference with MCs through genetic variations, pathological conditions and or pharmaceutical interventions revealed a strong link between BC risk and the lifetime number of MCs. A substantial reduction in BC risk is observed in situations without MCs. In genetic or transgender situations with normal female breasts and estrogens, but no progesterone (P4), the incidence of BC is very low, suggesting an essential role of P4. During the MC, P4 has a strong proliferative effect on normal breast epithelium, whereas estradiol (E2) has only a minimal effect. The origin of BC has been strongly linked to proliferation associated DNA replication errors, and the repeated stimulation of the breast epithelium by P4 with each MC is likely to impact the epithelial mutational burden. Long-lived cells, such as stem cells, present in the breast epithelium, can carry mutations forward for an extended period of time, and studies show that breast tumors tend to take decades to develop before detection. We therefore postulate that P4 is an important factor in a woman's lifetime risk of developing BC, and that breast tumors arising during hormonal contraception or after menopause, with or without menopausal hormone therapy, are the consequence of the outgrowth of pre-existing neoplastic lesions, eventually stimulated by estrogens and some progestins.
Topics: Female; Humans; Progesterone; Breast Neoplasms; Menstrual Cycle; Estrogens; Estradiol; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 37254150
DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01661-0 -
Archives of Women's Mental Health Feb 2017This article describes periodic monthly psychoses that develop during the early months of pregnancy. It is probable that these are a variety of menstrual psychosis.
This article describes periodic monthly psychoses that develop during the early months of pregnancy. It is probable that these are a variety of menstrual psychosis.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hysteria; Menstrual Cycle; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 27722950
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-016-0678-5 -
Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of... Sep 2015In women, age-related changes in ovarian function begin in the mid-30s with decreased fertility and compensatory hormonal changes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal... (Review)
Review
In women, age-related changes in ovarian function begin in the mid-30s with decreased fertility and compensatory hormonal changes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis that maintain follicle development and estrogen secretion in the face of a waning pool of ovarian follicles. The menopause transition is characterized by marked variability in follicle development, ovulation, bleeding patterns, and symptoms of hyper- and hypoestrogenism. The menopause, which is clinically defined by the last menstrual period, is followed by the consistent absence of ovarian secretion of estradiol.
Topics: Anti-Mullerian Hormone; Female; Humans; Hypothalamus; Inhibins; Menopause; Menstrual Cycle; Ovarian Follicle; Ovulation; Pituitary Gland
PubMed: 26316238
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.010