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The Iowa Orthopaedic Journal 2024Female athletes are at increased risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The influence of hormonal variation on female ACL injury risk remains ill-defined....
BACKGROUND
Female athletes are at increased risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The influence of hormonal variation on female ACL injury risk remains ill-defined. Recent data suggests that the collagen-degrading menstrual hormone relaxin may cyclically impact female ACL tissue quality. This review aims to identify any correlation between menstrual relaxin peaks and rates of female ACL injury.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed, utilizing the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. Included studies had to directly address relaxin/female ACL interactions. The primary outcome variable was relaxin proteolysis of the ACL, at cellular, tissue, joint, and whole-organism levels. The secondary outcome variable was any discussed method of moderating relaxin levels, and the clinical results if available.
RESULTS
AllThe numerous relaxin receptors on female ACLs upregulate local collagenolysis and suppress local collagen production. Peak serum relaxin concentrations (SRC) occur during menstrual cycle days 21-24; a time phase associated with greater risk of ACL injury. Oral contraceptives (OCPs) reduce SRC, with a potential ACLprotective effect.
CONCLUSION
A reasonable correlative and plausible causative relationship exists between peak relaxin levels and increased risk of ACL injury in females, and further investigation is warranted. .
Topics: Humans; Relaxin; Female; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Menstrual Cycle; Athletic Injuries; Athletes
PubMed: 38919370
DOI: No ID Found -
SAGE Open Medicine 2024Irregular menstrual cycle has negative health and psychosocial repercussions for women of reproductive age worldwide. However, there is no national data for policymakers... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Irregular menstrual cycle has negative health and psychosocial repercussions for women of reproductive age worldwide. However, there is no national data for policymakers and health planners in Ethiopia. Therefore, this review aimed to determine the overall burden of irregular menstrual cycle and predictors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.
METHODS
International databases (SCOPUS, CINAHL, CAB Abstract, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Google, and Google Scholar) and lists of references were employed to search literature in Ethiopia. The random-effects model was used to calculate the odds ratios of the outcome variable using STATA version 18. The heterogeneity of the studies was measured by computing and -values. In addition, sensitivity analysis and funnel plots were performed to test the stability of pooled data in the presence of outliers and publication bias.
RESULTS
The review includes 21 studies and 9109 populations. The overall burden of irregular menstrual cycles among reproductive-age women was 35% (95% CI: 30-41) with = 96.96%. Sleeping for <5 h a day (AOR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.49-3.49) and a stressful life (AOR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.44-4.85) were predictors of irregular menstrual cycles.
CONCLUSION
More than one in every three reproductive-age women in Ethiopia experience irregular menstrual cycles. Sleeping for <5 h a day and stress increase the likelihood of an irregular menstrual cycle, which can be modified by improving sleeping hours and decreasing stress stimulators through psychotherapy.
PubMed: 38895544
DOI: 10.1177/20503121241259623 -
BMC Women's Health Jun 2024The sex steroid hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, which affects the strength and postural stability of females and leads to injuries and risk of falls.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The sex steroid hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, which affects the strength and postural stability of females and leads to injuries and risk of falls. These hormones may be modulated by exercise to impact the overall health of females.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of exercise on sex steroid hormones in eumenorrheic females.
METHODS
This review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) guidelines in Lahore, Pakistan. The full-length articles were searched using these databases/search engines (PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar, Sci-Hub). Randomized controlled trials along with single group experimental studies were also included. All types of exercises were compared with no exercise in the control group. The Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool assessed and screened the articles. The data were then analyzed. The primary outcomes were the levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
RESULTS
Eleven studies were included (5 randomized controlled trials and 6 quasi-experimental studies). The effects of exercise on free estradiol concentration and serum progesterone level were not significant [p = 0.37 (SMD = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.74, I = 0%) and p = 0.84 (S.D= -0.65, C.I= -6.92 to 5.62, I = 94%)] respectively, whereas, the effects on testosterone levels were significant [p value < 0.00001 (M.D = 0.89, 95% C.I= -2.16 to 3.95, I = 94%)].
CONCLUSION
A blinded randomized controlled trial should be conducted in which a structured approach should be followed by women along with warm-ups, cool down and rest intervals.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
The systematic review was registered prospectively on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42023473767.
Topics: Humans; Female; Progesterone; Exercise; Testosterone; Estrogens; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Estradiol
PubMed: 38890710
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03203-y -
BMC Psychiatry Jun 2024Depression is a prevalent mental health problem in postmenopausal women. Given its significant impact on the quality of life and overall well-being of postmenopausal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Depression is a prevalent mental health problem in postmenopausal women. Given its significant impact on the quality of life and overall well-being of postmenopausal women, there is need for a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of the existing research globally. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the global prevalence of depression and potential associated factors in postmenopausal women.
METHODS
The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched from inception to March 22, 2023. The meta-analysis used the random-effects model to calculate the prevalence of depression rates and associated factors. In addition, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots, Egger's test, and nonparametric trim-and-fill tests.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included 50 studies that involved 385,092 postmenopausal women. The prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women was 28.00% (95% CI, 25.80-30.10). Among the factors relevant to depression among postmenopausal women, marital status (OR: 2.03, 95%CI: 1.33-3.11), history of mental illness (OR: 2.31, 95%CI: 1.50-3.57), chronic disease (OR: 3.13, 95%CI: 2.20-4.44), menstrual cycle (OR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.17-1.72), abortion numbers (OR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.40-1.80), menopausal symptoms (OR: 2.10, 95%CI: 1.52-2.90), and hormone replacement therapy (OR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.31-2.35) were risk factors, while physical activity (OR: 0.56, 95%CI: 0.53-0.59), number of breastfed infants (OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.19-0.97), menopause age (OR: 0.44, 95%CI: 0.37-0.51) were preventive factors.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that the prevalence of postmenopausal depression is high, and some risk factors and protective factors associated with it have been identified. It is necessary to improve screening and management and optimize prevention and intervention strategies to reduce the harmful effects of postmenopausal depression.
Topics: Humans; Postmenopause; Female; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Depression; Depressive Disorder
PubMed: 38858633
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05875-0 -
Gynecological Endocrinology : the... Dec 2024To analyze differences in the menstrual pattern, age at menarche, and body mass index (BMI) in adolescents with Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) axis immaturity and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To analyze differences in the menstrual pattern, age at menarche, and body mass index (BMI) in adolescents with Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) axis immaturity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library, Scopus databases were searched using combinations of descriptors. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. For data analysis, the results were grouped into PCOS group and NPCOS group (HPO axis immaturity). We performed a meta-analysis of raw data and the inverse variance method, employing the standardized mean difference, of the age at menarche and BMI of adolescents.
RESULTS
Participants totaled 1,718 from nine selected studies. The meta-analysis showed that the PCOS group had a higher BMI than the NPCOS group (SMD 0.334; CI95% 0.073 - 0.595; = .012). The degree of heterogeneity of the studies was approximately 40%. No significant difference in age at menarche (SMD - 0.027; CI95% -0.227 - 0.172; = 0.790) and menstrual patterns was found, but amenorrhea was described only in adolescents with PCOS.
CONCLUSIONS
The main characteristic in menstrual pattern that differentiated PCOS patients from girls with HPO axis immaturity was amenorrhea. Also, the BMI of PCOS patients was nearly one third higher than that of adolescents with HPO axis immaturity.
Topics: Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Female; Adolescent; Menarche; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Body Mass Index; Ovary; Menstrual Cycle
PubMed: 38818646
DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2024.2360077 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2024The literature has extensively investigated potential factors influencing women's performance, including the menstrual cycle and the circadian rhythm. However, review...
UNLABELLED
The literature has extensively investigated potential factors influencing women's performance, including the menstrual cycle and the circadian rhythm. However, review articles exploring the combined influence of both factors remain lacking in the literature. The study aimed to systematically review the literature on the relationship between the circadian rhythm and menstrual cycle on physical performance in women. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The search was performed on the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar databases. Of the 1205 records identified, four articles met the inclusion criteria. From four articles, two studies found a significant interaction between the time of day and phase of the menstrual cycle with physical performance. The isometric strength increased in the afternoon in the mid-luteal phase ( the morning in the mid-luteal phase, < 0.05), and the maximum cycling power was higher in the afternoon in the mid-follicular phase ( the morning in the mid-follicular phase, < 0.01). Our findings suggest that the time of day and the menstrual cycle phase affect physical performance, with the daytime potentially having a more significant influence. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited studies and diverse methodologies used to monitor the menstrual cycle phase. This review reinforces the need for further investigation to understand better the combined effects of the circadian rhythm and menstrual cycle on women's physical performance.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=380965, identifier CRD42022380965.
PubMed: 38720785
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1347036 -
Preventive Medicine Jul 2024The menstrual cycle often presents barriers to participation in daily life activities, including physical activity (PA), which is a cornerstone of health and well-being.... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The menstrual cycle often presents barriers to participation in daily life activities, including physical activity (PA), which is a cornerstone of health and well-being. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore and summarize the impact of symptoms, experiences, and perceptions of the menstrual cycle on recreational PA (RPA), including sports, exercise and active recreation, in the general population.
METHODS
Six databases were searched for studies that investigated the impact of the menstrual cycle on PA among individuals who were cyclically menstruating, healthy, and not involved in professional sports training.
RESULTS
The search yielded 3025 studies that were screened for relevance and eligibility, resulting in 25 eligible studies, which were found to be of moderate-to-high quality following a quality and risk-of-bias assessment. Thematic synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data from the selected studies, constituting 16,557 adults and 3715 adolescents, identified the impact of menstrual symptoms on the physical and psychological capability to participate in RPA, social opportunity barriers to RPA (e.g., social pressure due to the sociocultural taboo against menstruation), as well reflective (knowledge) and automatic (habit) motivation on RPA behaviours.
CONCLUSION
The variability in menstrual symptoms and corresponding experiences suggested the need for an individualized approach to RPA promotion. Furthermore, this review highlighted the need to address the sociocultural taboo against menstruation, as well as improve the provision of knowledge and resources related to the menstrual cycle and RPA, in order to promote and facilitate RPA for cyclically menstruating individuals throughout the menstrual cycle.
Topics: Humans; Female; Menstrual Cycle; Exercise; Recreation; Adult; Adolescent; Menstruation; Sports; Motivation; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 38704099
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.107980 -
Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health... 2024The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a readily available and practical tool widely used in exercise science to monitor exercise load, but a rigorous review of the...
BACKGROUND
The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a readily available and practical tool widely used in exercise science to monitor exercise load, but a rigorous review of the effect of menstrual cycle (MC) phases on RPE within continuous aerobic exercise has not yet been completed.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of the MC phase on RPE during aerobic exercise.
STUDY DESIGN
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
The search strategy was carried out using the 5 most common scientific databases. While qualitative analyses were performed in all included studies, random effects to standard mean difference were calculated and meta-analysis was performed where possible. This study addresses comparison for RPE at the beginning, middle, and end of the exercise adopting 2 mains analysis. The first adopted early cycle (first session of the cycle) as control compared with the subsequent phases, and the second adopted days 1 to 5 (early follicular) as control compared with the subsequent phases.
RESULTS
A total of 17 studies (n = 160) were included in the qualitative synthesis. The meta-analysis showed that MC phases did not impact RPE ( > .05).
CONCLUSIONS
The current meta-analysis showed that MC does not impact RPE. Although acute RPE is not impacted by MC phases, future studies and practitioners should pay attention to the impact of RPE session by session throughout the MC.
PubMed: 38659609
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Physiology 2024Women's football has been booming for a few years now, which has led to an increase in the expectation of the players' performance, leading to a more detailed study of...
BACKGROUND
Women's football has been booming for a few years now, which has led to an increase in the expectation of the players' performance, leading to a more detailed study of women's physiology in the field of sports.
OBJECTIVES
To analyze the scientific evidence on the influence of menstruation on the performance of female footballers, as well as to analyze the methodological quality of the studies included in this review.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The possible hormonal effects of the menstrual cycle phases on the performance of female footballers were analyzed. The databases used to conduct the searches were Pubmed, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, EBSCO and the Cochrane Library. All included studies met the inclusion criteria. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used. This systematic review protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42023390652).
RESULTS
A total of nine clinical trials were included in this review. A low quality of evidence was observed in the studies. Not all the results support the idea that the menstrual cycle phases can alter the performance of female footballers.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review shows that there is a great deal of controversy about the influence of the menstrual cycle phases on the performance of female footballers. Studies are focused on solely biological factors and gender is normally no part of those studies. Further research with larger samples, and taking not only biological but also sociological factors, are necessary to determine the effects of menstruation on the performance of female footballers.
PubMed: 38651042
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1359953 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Feb 2024Emerging digital health technology has moved into the reproductive health market for female individuals. In the past, mobile health apps have been used to monitor the...
BACKGROUND
Emerging digital health technology has moved into the reproductive health market for female individuals. In the past, mobile health apps have been used to monitor the menstrual cycle using manual entry. New technological trends involve the use of wearable devices to track fertility by assessing physiological changes such as temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aims of this study are to review the types of wearables that have been developed and evaluated for menstrual cycle tracking and to examine whether they may detect changes in the menstrual cycle in female individuals. Another aim is to review whether these devices are effective for tracking various stages in the menstrual cycle including ovulation and menstruation. Finally, the secondary aim is to assess whether the studies have validated their findings by reporting accuracy and sensitivity.
METHODS
A review of PubMed or MEDLINE was undertaken to evaluate wearable devices for their effectiveness in predicting fertility and differentiating between the different stages of the menstrual cycle.
RESULTS
Fertility cycle-tracking wearables include devices that can be worn on the wrists, on the fingers, intravaginally, and inside the ear. Wearable devices hold promise for predicting different stages of the menstrual cycle including the fertile window and may be used by female individuals as part of their reproductive health. Most devices had high accuracy for detecting fertility and were able to differentiate between the luteal phase (early and late), fertile window, and menstruation by assessing changes in heart rate, heart rate variability, temperature, and respiratory rate.
CONCLUSIONS
More research is needed to evaluate consumer perspectives on reproductive technology for monitoring fertility, and ethical issues around the privacy of digital data need to be addressed. Additionally, there is also a need for more studies to validate and confirm this research, given its scarcity, especially in relation to changes in respiratory rate as a proxy for reproductive cycle staging.
Topics: Female; Humans; Fertility; Heart Rate; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Reproductive Health; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 38358798
DOI: 10.2196/45139