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Journal of Women's Health (2002) Nov 2023This study determined the prevalence of bothersome menstrual symptoms and their association with workability in naturally menstruating women not using hormonal...
This study determined the prevalence of bothersome menstrual symptoms and their association with workability in naturally menstruating women not using hormonal contraception. A representative sample of community-dwelling Australian women aged 18-39 years selected from two large national electronic databases responded to a survey on general health. This study focuses on self-reported dysmenorrhea and menstrual bleeding and their association with workability and absenteeism in working women, assessed by the Workability Index. Of 3,555 women, 1,573 (44.2% [95% CI: 42.6%-45.9%]) reported moderate to severe dysmenorrhea and 774 (21.8% [95% CI: 20.4%-23.2%]) reported heavy to very heavy bleeding. Women with dysmenorrhea were 50% more likely to report poorer work performance and twice as likely to report more days of sick leave in the past year (absenteeism) than other women. Despite the availability of safe and effective management options, Australian working women aged 18-39 years continue to experience bothersome dysmenorrhea and menstrual bleeding. Dysmenorrhea is associated with increased absenteeism and poorer workability. Therefore, awareness needs to be raised among women and health care providers of ways to manage dysmenorrhea and heavy bleeding and the unmet need for intervention in the community, respectively.
Topics: Female; Humans; Dysmenorrhea; Absenteeism; Australia; Menstruation; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37651151
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2023.0199 -
BMC Public Health Feb 2024Endometriosis (EMs) is a chronic and progressive disease that, if diagnosed late, can lead to infertility and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Dysmenorrhea is the...
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis (EMs) is a chronic and progressive disease that, if diagnosed late, can lead to infertility and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Dysmenorrhea is the most prominent symptom of EMs. However, limited research exists on the specific correlation between dysmenorrhea patterns and EMs. Early prevention of EMs is essential to effectively manage the progression of the disease, and is best detected during adolescence. Our objective was to associate the development of EMs with dysmenorrhea patterns during adolescence and quantify the risk of adult EMs for adolescent girls, with the aim of supporting primary intervention strategy planning.
METHODS
This case-control study examined predictors for adult EMs based on dysmenorrhea patterns in adolescents. We collected 1,287 cases of 641 EMs and 646 healthy females regarding their basic demographic information, adolescent menstrual characteristics, adolescent dysmenorrheal patterns, and adolescent lifestyles. Age-matching (1-to-1) was employed to control for the confounding effect of age between the groups. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and logistic regression models were utilized to identify predictors for adult EMs. The predictive value of the model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the C-index, while Hosmer-Lemeshow Test assessed the goodness of fit of the model. Data from one additional cohort in Shenzhen hospitalized with EMs were used to external validation were analyzed.
RESULTS
Individuals who always experienced dysmenorrhea had a risk of adult endometriosis 18.874 (OR = 18.874; 95%CI = 10.309-34.555) times higher than those occasional dysmenorrhea, The risk of developing EMs was 5.257 times higher in those who experienced dysmenorrhea more than 12 months after menarche than in those who experienced dysmenorrhea less than 6 months after menarche (OR = 5.257, 95% CI = 3.343-8.266), AUC in the external validation cohort was 0.794(95%CI: 0.741-0.847). We further found that high-intensity physical activity and sun-sensitive skin of burning were influential factors in high-frequency dysmenorrhea. The AUC value for the internal evaluation of the model was 0.812 and the AUC value for the external validation was 0.794.
CONCLUSION
Our findings revealed that the frequency of dysmenorrhea during adolescence contributed to the development of adult endometriosis. The frequency and onset of dysmenorrhea in adolescence were promising predictors for adult EMs. Both internal and external validation proved the model's good predictive ability.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
http://www.chictr.org.cn/ , TRN: ChicTR2200060429, date of registration: 2022/06/01, retrospectively registered.
Topics: Adult; Female; Adolescent; Humans; Endometriosis; Dysmenorrhea; Case-Control Studies; Menstruation; Menarche
PubMed: 38317119
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17825-2 -
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent... Oct 2020To study the presentation of dysmenorrhea and endometriosis in transmasculine adolescents and review their treatment outcomes.
STUDY OBJECTIVE
To study the presentation of dysmenorrhea and endometriosis in transmasculine adolescents and review their treatment outcomes.
DESIGN
A retrospective review.
SETTING
Boston Children's Hospital.
PARTICIPANTS
Transmasculine persons younger than 26 years old who were diagnosed with dysmenorrhea and treated between January 1, 2000 and March 1, 2020.
INTERVENTIONS
Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
An electronic medical record review of the clinical characteristics, transition-related care, and treatment outcomes.
RESULTS
Dysmenorrhea was diagnosed in 35 transmasculine persons. Mean age was 14.9 years ± 1.9 years. Twenty-nine (82.9%) were diagnosed after social transition. Twenty-three of 35 (65.7%) were first treated with combined oral contraceptives, but 14/23 (61%) discontinued or transitioned to alternative therapy. Twelve patients with dysmenorrhea alone initiated testosterone treatment, and 4/12 (33.3%) experienced persistent symptoms. Seven of 35 patients with dysmenorrhea (20.0%) were laparoscopically evaluated for endometriosis, and it was confirmed in all seven. Six had stage I disease, and one had stage II. Three of the 7 (42.9%) were diagnosed after social transition, with one diagnosed 20 months after initiating testosterone treatment. Their endometriosis was treated with combined oral contraceptives, danazol, or progestins; four experienced suboptimal response during treatment with these therapies alone. Two of those with suboptimal response subsequently resolved their dysmenorrhea when using testosterone. Five patients with endometriosis initiated testosterone treatment, and of the 5 (40%) experienced persistent symptomatology with combined testosterone and progestin therapies.
CONCLUSION
To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize endometriosis in transmasculine persons. Evaluation for endometriosis was underutilized in transmasculine persons with dysmenorrhea, despite those who underwent laparoscopic evaluation and had disease confirmation. Although testosterone treatment can resolve symptoms in some, others might require additional suppression. Endometriosis should be considered in transmasculine persons with symptoms even when they are using testosterone.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Boston; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Danazol; Dysmenorrhea; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Testosterone; Transgender Persons; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 32535219
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.06.001 -
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Sep 2023This study aimed to examine the effect of acupuncture on symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to examine the effect of acupuncture on symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with endometriosis.
METHODS
Nine biomedical databases were searched to April 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and/or moxibustion used alone or as adjunct to guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy for the treatment of endometriosis. One reviewer extracted data and another verified the data. A random effects model was used to calculate mean differences.
RESULTS
Fifteen trials involving 1018 patients met the inclusion criteria, but diversity in comparisons and outcome measures prevented meta-analysis. Compared to sham acupuncture, manual acupuncture was more effective at reducing dysmenorrhea VAS pain score (mean difference [MD] - 2.40, 95 % CI [- 2.80, - 2.00]; moderate certainty evidence), pelvic pain VAS score (MD - 2.65, 95 % CI [- 3.40, - 1.90]; high certainty evidence) and dyspareunia VAS scores (MD - 2.88, [- 3.83, - 1.93]), lessened the size of ovarian cyst (MD - 3.88, 95 % CI [- 7.06, - 0.70]), and improved quality of life. Compared to conventional therapy, manual acupuncture plus conventional therapy and warm needle alone resulted in greater improvements in quality of life than conventional therapy. Among the six studies that reported safety, fewer adverse events were reported in participants who received acupuncture or moxibustion.
CONCLUSIONS
Low to moderate certainty evidence from single studies showed that manual acupuncture may improve pain-related symptoms and quality of life; however, there is insufficient evidence on the overall effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion for endometriosis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Moxibustion; Quality of Life; Endometriosis; Acupuncture Therapy; Dysmenorrhea
PubMed: 37453585
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102963 -
Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) Dec 2023The pain phenomena caused by endometriosis are manifold. In addition to nociceptive pain there is also a nociplastic reaction with central sensitization. Atypical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The pain phenomena caused by endometriosis are manifold. In addition to nociceptive pain there is also a nociplastic reaction with central sensitization. Atypical symptoms, such as acyclic lower abdominal pain, radiating pain, nonspecific bladder and intestinal complaints or even depression increasingly occur in addition to the classical cyclic complaints, such as severe dysmenorrhea, cyclic lower abdominal pain, dyspareunia, dysuria and dyschezia. Due to the diffuse range of symptoms, affected patients often consult not just gynecologists but also specialists from other disciplines (internal medicine, gastroenterology, orthopedics, pain therapy, psychology etc.).
OBJECTIVE
The complexity of endometriosis is presented. The resulting approaches to multimodal interdisciplinary holistic treatment are described.
RESULTS
Interdisciplinary concepts should be involved in the optimal treatment of endometriosis patients along with hormonal and surgical treatment, mostly under the supervision of a gynecologist and pain management, dietary changes, psychological support and physiotherapeutic management should also be included. This article provides an overview of possible treatment strategies for chronic symptomatic endometriosis.
CONCLUSION
Based on multimodal treatment strategies and regarding the complex pathophysiological alterations of this disease, the complex complaints that significantly impair the quality of life of endometriosis patients can be greatly improved.
Topics: Female; Humans; Endometriosis; Pelvic Pain; Dysmenorrhea; Quality of Life; Abdominal Pain
PubMed: 37626190
DOI: 10.1007/s00482-023-00747-0 -
AMA Journal of Ethics Aug 2022Many patients face years of recurrent and debilitating menstrual pain that affects their ability to work and study. Patients often normalize their severe pain as an...
Many patients face years of recurrent and debilitating menstrual pain that affects their ability to work and study. Patients often normalize their severe pain as an expected part of menses. Both underrecognition and lack of awareness of available therapies for this remediable condition serve as a quintessential example of hermeneutic injustice. Hermeneutic injustice describes a structural lack of access to epistemic resources, such as shared concepts and knowledge. Pervasive menstrual stigma further discourages people with dysmenorrhea from discussing their symptoms and seeking health care. A lack of respect for women's experiences of pain in clinical encounters acts to worsen these issues and should be considered a source of iatrogenic harm. Health care workers can promote hermeneutic justice by preemptively destigmatizing discussions about menstruation and validating patients' concerns. On a systemic level, there should be greater awareness of dysmenorrhea and the various treatments availabe for it.
Topics: Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Menstruation; Social Justice
PubMed: 35976930
DOI: 10.1001/amajethics.2022.740 -
American Journal of Reproductive... Feb 2023Endometriosis is a public health disorder affecting ∼ 247 million women globally and ∼ 42 million women in India. Women with endometriosis suffer from dysmenorrhea,... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis is a public health disorder affecting ∼ 247 million women globally and ∼ 42 million women in India. Women with endometriosis suffer from dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, fatigue, depression, and infertility leading to significant socioeconomic impact and morbidity. The etiology of endometriosis is not understood well even after 100 years of research. Currently, there is no permanent cure for endometriosis. The inflammatory immune response is one of the important features of etiopathogenesis of endometriosis and therefore understanding the inflammatory immune response would lead to a better understanding of this enigmatic disorder and may also lead to biomarker discovery for diagnosis of endometriosis. We investigated the autoimmune etiology of endometriosis in the Indian population. Using the proteomics approach, anti-endometrial antibodies (AEAs) were detected in Indian women with endometriosis [anti-endometrial antibodies - tropomyosin 3 (TPM3), stomatin-like protein2 (SLP-2), and tropomodulin 3 (TMOD3)]. The studies on AEAs provided a better understanding of autoimmune mechanisms in endometriosis. All three subtypes of endometriosis; superficial peritoneal, ovarian endometrioma, and deep infiltrating endometriosis were reported in Indian women. In this review, we discuss our experiences of the inflammatory immune response, autoimmunity, comorbidities, and clinical phenotypes in women with endometriosis in India.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometriosis; Pelvic Pain; Dysmenorrhea; Immunity; India
PubMed: 35751585
DOI: 10.1111/aji.13590 -
Physiological Reports Jul 2023Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and primary dysmenorrhea are common gynecological problems and inflammation may have a role in their etiology. Curcumin is a polyphenolic... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and primary dysmenorrhea are common gynecological problems and inflammation may have a role in their etiology. Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural product for which there is increasing evidence of anti-inflammatory and iron chelation effects. This study assessed the effects of curcumin on inflammatory biomarkers and iron profile in young women with PMS and dysmenorrhea. A sample of 76 patients was included in this triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated to curcumin (n = 38) and control groups (n = 38). Each participant received one capsule (500 mg of curcuminoid+ piperine, or placebo) daily, from 7 days before until 3 days after menstruation for three consecutive menstrual cycles. Serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), as well as white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, platelet counts, mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), were quantified. Neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet: lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and RDW: platelet ratio (RPR) were also calculated. Curcumin significantly decreased the median (interquartile range) serum levels of hsCRP [from 0.30 mg/L (0.0-1.10) to 0.20 mg/L (0.0-1.3); p = 0.041] compared with placebo, but did not show any difference for neutrophil, RDW, MPV, NLR, PLR and RPR values (p > 0.05). The treatment schedule was well-tolerated, and none of markers of iron metabolism statistically changed after the intervention in the curcumin group (p > 0.05). Curcumin supplementation may have positive effects on serum hsCRP, a marker of inflammation, with no any changes on iron homeostasis in healthy women with PMS and dysmenorrhea.
Topics: Humans; Female; Curcumin; C-Reactive Protein; Dysmenorrhea; Iron; Biomarkers; Premenstrual Syndrome; Inflammation; Lymphocytes; Neutrophils
PubMed: 37394650
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15763 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Jun 2023To evaluate quality of life (Qol), pain level and medical consumption before and after uterine botulinum toxin (BT) injections in severe dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate quality of life (Qol), pain level and medical consumption before and after uterine botulinum toxin (BT) injections in severe dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain.
METHODS
This was a before and after study using the database of a pilot study (Open-label non comparative study, on 30 patients, with severe dysmenorrhoea in therapeutic failure) assessing efficacy and cost of uterine injection of BT in women with chronic pelvic pain after failure of conventional treatment (hormonal and analgesics) (CT). Main clinical outcome: Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), EuroQol health-related QoL (EQ-5D-5L), EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), utility measure of health-related quality of life (also called health state preference values), cost and of health care consumption were collected prospectively and analysed in the two phases (before and after). The two timepoints were 12 months before uterine BT injection, when the patient had been receiving CT, and 12 months after uterine BT injection.
RESULTS
Median visual analogue scale scores were significantly improved by BT regarding the patients' main source of pain (31.6 vs 80.55; p < 0.00001). We also noted a significant reduction in the proportion of patients who reported dyspareunia [15 (75%) vs 3 (15%) patients, p = 0.001] and pain during menstruation (p < 0.0001). The PGI-I scale showed a significant increase in the proportion of patients who were satisfied with their treatment after receiving the BT injection. The injection of BT was frequently associated with increase in QoL and a reduction in health care consumption, and cost: 714.82 €+/- €336.43 (BT) versus 1104.16 €+/- €227.37 (CT), which could result in substantial savings approximately (389,34€) per patient.
CONCLUSION
This study revealed the clinical effectiveness of BT injections on dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain as well as reduction of cost and health care consumption, in our population, which is innovative since no standard of treatment exists in this domain.
Topics: Female; Humans; Dysmenorrhea; Quality of Life; Dyspareunia; Pilot Projects; Pelvic Pain; Chronic Pain; Botulinum Toxins
PubMed: 37127000
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.04.019 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Observational studies have demonstrated associations between menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it remains unclear whether...
BACKGROUND
Observational studies have demonstrated associations between menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it remains unclear whether these associations are causal. This study is to investigate whether menstrual disorders and dysmenorrhea causally affect the risk of CVD.
METHODS
The summary data for menstrual disorders (excessive menstruation and irregular menses) and dysmenorrhea were obtained from FinnGen study, summary data for CVD were obtained from UK Biobank and meta-analysis. The inverse-variance-weighted method was mainly used in the Mendelian randomization for causality analysis. Sensitivity analyses were performed by several methods under different model assumptions.
RESULTS
Genetic liability to excessive menstruation was associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio (OR), 1.078 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.015-1.145]; =0.014), but a lower risk of hypertension (OR, 0.994 [95% CI: 0.989-0.999]; =0.016). Irregular menses was associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.095 [95% CI: 1.015-1.182]; =0.02), hypertension (OR, 1.007 [95% CI: 1.000-1.013]; =0.047), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.172 [95% CI: 1.060-1.295]; =0.02), ischemic heart disease, (OR, 1.005 [95% CI: 1.000-1.010]; =0.037) and coronary heart disease (OR, 1.004 [95% CI: 1.001-1.008]; =0.026). Dysmenorrhea was associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.052 [95% CI: 1.014-1.092]; =0.008) and Ischemic stroke (cardioembolic) (OR, 1.122 [95% CI: 1.002-1.257]; =0.046). After Benjamini-Hochberg correction, irregular menses was associated with higher risk of myocardial infarction.
CONCLUSION
We confirmed a causal relationship of excessive menstruation, irregular menses and dysmenorrhea on cardiovascular outcomes independent of sex hormone levels, with an emphasis on the link between irregular menses and myocardial infarction. These clinical features can be utilized as markers to identify women at higher risk of developing CVD in the future, recommending early clinical intervention of menstrual diseases.
Topics: Female; Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Cardiovascular Diseases; Dysmenorrhea; Hypertension; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Menstruation Disturbances; Myocardial Infarction
PubMed: 38375191
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1302312