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Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023(1) Objectives: This paper presents a scoping review of global evidence relating to interventions (i.e., policies, practices, guidelines, and legislation) aimed at... (Review)
Review
(1) Objectives: This paper presents a scoping review of global evidence relating to interventions (i.e., policies, practices, guidelines, and legislation) aimed at supporting women to manage menstruation, menstrual disorders, and menopause at work. (2) Methods: Databases including Medline (Ebsco), CINAHL (Ebsco), Scopus, Web of Science, APA PsychInfo (Ebsco), Humanities International Complete (Ebsco), Academic Search Premier (Ebsco), HeinOnline and OSH Update, and Google Scholar were searched in May 2022. (3) Results: Of 1181 unique articles screened, 66 articles are included. Less half of the articles (42%, 28/66) presented/reviewed an intervention related to women's workplace health. A total of 55 out of the 66 articles are set across 13 countries with the remaining 12 articles described as multi-country studies or reviews. Half of the articles presenting/reviewing an intervention were grey literature, with several undertaken in UK and EU member countries. Interventions focusing on supporting women with menopause at work were the most common (43%, 12/28), followed by menstruation (25%, 7/28) and menstrual disorders (7%, 2/28). Across the reviewed articles, recommendations were categorised as adjustments to the physical work environment, information and training needs, and policy and processes. Few articles explicitly presented or affirmed a design-process and/or evaluation tied to their intervention. In lieu of design-process, this review categorises the rationales driving the development of an intervention as: pronatalist, economic rationalism, gendered occupational health concern, cultural shift towards gender equity objectives, and efforts to reduced shame and stigma. (4) Conclusions: There is a growing body of evidence aimed at understanding women's experiences of managing their menstrual and reproductive health in the workplace and how this impacts their work/career trajectories. However, little research is explicitly concerned with exploring or understanding interventions, including their design or evaluation. Most articles report menopause guidelines and are typically confined to the UK and EU-member countries. Despite the prevalence of menstrual disorders (e.g., endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)) there is limited literature focused on how women might be supported to manage symptoms associated with these conditions at work. Accordingly, future policies should consider how women can be better supported to manage menstruation and menstrual disorders at work and recognise the importance of co-design during policy development and post-intervention evaluation. Further research needs to be undertaken on the impact of workplace policies on both employers and employees.
PubMed: 37998437
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11222945 -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2023Rutaecarpine (RUT) is a natural pentacyclic indolopyridoquinazolinone alkaloid first isolated from one of the most famous traditional Chinese herbs, , which is used for... (Review)
Review
Rutaecarpine (RUT) is a natural pentacyclic indolopyridoquinazolinone alkaloid first isolated from one of the most famous traditional Chinese herbs, , which is used for treating a variety of ailments, including headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhage, amenorrhea, difficult menstruation, and other diseases. Accumulating pharmacological studies showed that RUT possesses a wide range of pharmacological effects through different mechanisms. However, its poor physicochemical properties and moderate biological activities have hampered its clinical application. In this regard, the modification of RUT aimed at seeking its derivatives with better physicochemical properties and more potency has been extensively studied. These derivatives exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antitumor, and antifungal activities via a variety of mechanisms, such as inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), acetylcholine (AChE), phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B), phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), or topoisomerases (Topos). From this perspective, this paper provides a comprehensive description of RUT derivatives by focusing on their diverse biological activities. This review aims to give an insight into the biological activities of RUT derivatives and encourage further exploration of RUT.
PubMed: 38025082
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1199799 -
Reproductive Biomedicine Online Feb 2024Similar to diabetes and unlike many pathogen-induced diseases, endometriosis is likely a result of maladaptation to the evolutionary heritage of humans. The objective of... (Review)
Review
Similar to diabetes and unlike many pathogen-induced diseases, endometriosis is likely a result of maladaptation to the evolutionary heritage of humans. The objective of this article is to review the literature and improve understanding of the evolutionary factors behind endometriosis, leading to more effective prevention and treatment approaches. In primates, spontaneous decidualization of the endometrium evolved to ensure optimal implantation of a limited number of early embryos, unlike many non-primates which depend on early embryos to induce decidualization and subsequent pregnancy. Spontaneous decidualization results in menstrual bleeding when embryo implantation does not occur, and endometriosis is commonly believed to be caused by retrograde menstruation. Although direct evidence is lacking, it is likely that hunter-gatherer women experienced fewer menstrual periods due to pregnancy shortly after menarche, followed by repeated pregnancies and lactation. However, the mismatch between the evolved uterine physiology and rapid societal changes has led to modern women delaying pregnancy and experiencing numerous menstrual periods, potentially increasing the incidence of endometriosis. The symptoms of endometriosis are often managed by suppressing menstruation through systemic hormonal treatments, but these may have side effects. For patients with a family history of endometriosis or in the early stages of the disease, intrauterine devices releasing progesterone locally could prevent uterine bleeding and the development of endometriosis while preserving fertility and minimizing side effects.
Topics: Pregnancy; Animals; Female; Humans; Endometriosis; Progesterone; Menstruation; Uterine Hemorrhage; Endometrium
PubMed: 38177037
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103695 -
BMC Women's Health Sep 2023Menstrual disturbances harm women's health, and general well-being. As growing evidence highlights the relationship between sleep and menstrual disturbances, it is...
BACKGROUND
Menstrual disturbances harm women's health, and general well-being. As growing evidence highlights the relationship between sleep and menstrual disturbances, it is imperative to comprehensively examine the association between sleep and menstrual disturbance considering the multiple dimensions of sleep. This systematic review aims to identify the association between sleep and menstrual disturbances by evaluating using Buysse's sleep health framework.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, psychINFO, and CINAHL to identify publications describing any types of menstrual disturbances, and their associations with sleep published between January 1, 1988 to June 2, 2022. Quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. The findings were iteratively evaluated menstrual disturbances and their association with sleep using Buysse's sleep health framework. This framework understands sleep as multidimensional concept and provides a holistic framing of sleep including Satisfaction, Alertness during waking hours, Timing of sleep, Efficiency, and Sleep duration. Menstrual disturbances were grouped into three categories: premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and abnormal menstrual cycle/heavy bleeding during periods.
RESULTS
Thirty-five studies were reviewed to examine the association between sleep and menstrual disturbances. Premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea were associated with sleep disturbances in sleep health domains of Satisfaction (e.g., poor sleep quality), Alertness during waking hours (e.g., daytime sleepiness), Efficiency (e.g., difficulty initiating/maintaining sleep), and Duration (e.g., short sleep duration). Abnormal menstrual cycle and heavy bleeding during the period were related to Satisfaction, Efficiency, and Duration. There were no studies which investigated the timing of sleep.
CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS
Sleep disturbances within most dimensions of the sleep health framework negatively impact on menstrual disturbances. Future research should longitudinally examine the effects of sleep disturbances in all dimensions of sleep health with the additional objective sleep measure on menstrual disturbances. This review gives insight in that it can be recommended to provide interventions for improving sleep disturbances in women with menstrual disturbance.
Topics: Female; Humans; Dysmenorrhea; Cross-Sectional Studies; Menstruation Disturbances; Premenstrual Syndrome; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 37658359
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02629-0 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Nov 2023Most women who menstruate experience various physical, psychological, and behavioral changes during the period between ovulation and menstruation. This study focuses on... (Review)
Review
Most women who menstruate experience various physical, psychological, and behavioral changes during the period between ovulation and menstruation. This study focuses on defining and diagnosing premenstrual disorders, distinguishing between premenstrual symptoms (PS), PMS, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It highlights the prevalence of these conditions and their impact on women's quality of life, including social, occupational, and psychological aspects. Furthermore, the study examines the role of physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, in managing premenstrual symptoms. Several systematic reviews are cited, suggesting that regular physical activity can effectively reduce both physical and psychological symptoms associated with PMS. In conclusion, the management of PMS involves a multifaceted approach, with exercises, dietary modifications, stress management, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medications all playing roles. Physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, has been found to be an effective non-pharmacological therapy for alleviating PMS symptoms and improving overall well-being. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal type and dosage of exercise for individual women with PMS.
Topics: Female; Humans; Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder; Quality of Life; Premenstrual Syndrome; Exercise; Prevalence
PubMed: 38004093
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59112044 -
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 -
Health Promotion Practice Aug 2023In the United States, approximately one in five persons experience period poverty, defined as the inability to obtain resources needed for healthy, safe, and dignified...
In the United States, approximately one in five persons experience period poverty, defined as the inability to obtain resources needed for healthy, safe, and dignified menstrual management. Limited access to an inadequate number of menstrual supplies may lead to longer-than-recommended use, which can increase skin chafing, disruption of vaginal flora, and intravaginal toxin overgrowth. However, period poverty goes beyond simply having enough menstrual products and can encompass the embarrassment, stigma, shame, and barriers in conversation surrounding menstruation. Discussion and critical examination of the multilayered attributes surrounding period poverty have been intermittent in academic literature, particularly from a domestic lens. Thus, this narrative review and theoretical analysis aimed to describe the epidemiology of period poverty and analyze its biological, socio-emotional, and societal implications. We applied a descriptive epidemiology approach of person, place, and time, and employed a social-ecological lens to examine risk factors. Our findings describe the incidence, distribution, and possible ways to alleviate period poverty. Practitioners, medical providers, and public health professionals may have limited knowledge of period poverty, what it entails, and who it impacts, but they have great potential to address it and associated menstrual inequities in their work. With its widespread implications for psychosocial and community-level health, this phenomenon needs urgent attention to promote menstrual equity as an issue of human rights and social justice. We conclude with research and policy recommendations for alleviating period poverty.
PubMed: 37605547
DOI: 10.1177/15248399231192998 -
Nutrition Research Reviews Sep 2023Certain nutritional practices may reduce menstrual-related symptoms, but there is no current consensus on what foods/supplements are sufficiently evidenced to warrant... (Review)
Review
Certain nutritional practices may reduce menstrual-related symptoms, but there is no current consensus on what foods/supplements are sufficiently evidenced to warrant promotion to reduce menstrual symptoms of naturally menstruating individuals. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Two online databases were searched for published experimental studies that investigated the effects of foods/supplements on menstrual-related symptoms in eumenorrhoeic women. Extracted data and study characteristics were tabulated and grouped on the basis of food/supplement intervention and dosage compared with UK dietary reference values (DRV) and safe upper limits. In total, twenty-eight studies and twenty-one different foods/supplement interventions were included in the review. None of the studies reported a negative effect on symptoms, twenty-three reported a positive effect and five had no effect. Eighteen different ways of measuring menstrual-related symptoms were described across the studies. The results indicate a lack of consistency in studies to confidently provide information to eumenorrheic, naturally menstruating women regarding the use of foods/supplements to reduce menstrual symptoms. Determination of menstrual-related symptoms varied along with dose and duration of food or supplements provided. These data provide some evidence for the use of vitamin D, calcium, zinc and curcumin to reduce menstrual-related symptoms of non-hormonal contraceptive users, on an individual basis; however, further investigation is required prior to implementation with a focus on robust protocols to determine and measure changes in menstrual symptoms, with interventions adhering to DRV and safe upper limits.
PubMed: 37746736
DOI: 10.1017/S0954422423000227 -
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent... Aug 2023Menstrual dysfunction can impact both the physical and emotional health of young people. Multiple chronic diseases have been associated with menstrual dysfunction in... (Review)
Review
STUDY OBJECTIVE
Menstrual dysfunction can impact both the physical and emotional health of young people. Multiple chronic diseases have been associated with menstrual dysfunction in adults; however, there is little research in adolescents, despite nonadherence and suboptimal illness control in this group. We aimed to identify the impact of chronic illness on the age of menarche and the menstrual cycle in adolescents.
METHODS
Studies were extracted of female adolescents aged 10-19 who had a chronic physical illness. Data included outcomes on age of menarche and/or menstrual cycle quality. Exclusion criteria aimed to exclude diseases where menstrual dysfunction was a known part of the disease pathophysiology (ie, polycystic ovarian syndrome) or in which medications were used that directly impacted gonadal function. A literature search (to January 2022) was performed on the EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane library databases. Two widely used modified quality analysis tools were used.
RESULTS
Our initial search netted 1451 articles, of which 95 full texts were examined and 43 met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven papers focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D), with 8 papers examining adolescents with cystic fibrosis and the remaining studying inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, coeliac disease, and chronic renal disease. Metanalysis of 933 patients with T1D vs 5244 controls demonstrated a significantly later age of menarche in T1D (by 0.42 years; P ≤ .00001). There was also a significant association between higher HbA1c and insulin dose (IU/kg) and later age of menarche. Eighteen papers reviewed other aspects of menstruation, including dysmenorrhea, oligomenorrhoea, amenorrhea, and ovulatory function, with variable findings.
CONCLUSION
Most studies were small and in single populations. Despite this, there was evidence of delayed menarche and some evidence of irregular menses in those with cystic fibrosis and T1D. Further structured studies are needed to evaluate menstrual dysfunction in adolescents and how it relates to their chronic illness.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Menstruation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Cystic Fibrosis; Menstruation Disturbances; Menarche; Menstrual Cycle; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 37192680
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.05.005 -
Biomedicines Aug 2023Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder prevalent in women of reproductive age. The primary symptoms include dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and infertility.... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder prevalent in women of reproductive age. The primary symptoms include dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and infertility. However, the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. With the advent of high-throughput technologies, various omics experiments have been conducted to identify genes related to the pathophysiology of endometriosis. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying endometriosis using omics. When genes identified in omics experiments were compared with endometriosis disease genes identified in independent studies, the number of overlapping genes was moderate. However, the characteristics of these genes were found to be equivalent when functional gene set enrichment analysis was performed using gene ontology and biological pathway information. These findings indicate that omics technology provides invaluable information regarding the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Moreover, the functional characteristics revealed using enrichment analysis provide important clues for discovering endometriosis disease genes in future research.
PubMed: 37626707
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082210