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JAMA Network Open May 2024
Topics: Humans; Menstruation; Female; Vital Signs; Adult
PubMed: 38809558
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.12778 -
Cureus Apr 2024Primary dysmenorrhea, commonly known as menstrual cramps, is a prevalent gynecological issue that impacts many women in their childbearing age. It manifests as...
BACKGROUND
Primary dysmenorrhea, commonly known as menstrual cramps, is a prevalent gynecological issue that impacts many women in their childbearing age. It manifests as reoccurring, cramp-like lower abdominal pain, usually commencing right prior to or during the menstrual period. These painful sensations can be severe, extending to the lower back and upper thighs can greatly disrupt a woman's daily life and overall well-being. The optimal exercise approach is needed for individuals seeking relief from primary dysmenorrhea, allowing healthcare providers and women themselves to make informed decisions regarding their treatment options. Though many forms of exercise interventions exist in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, this study aims to compare two forms of intervention namely pilates and gym ball exercises on pain and menstrual distress among women with Primary Dysmenorrhea.
METHODS
This experimental comparative study was carried out with 30 young female participants over a 12-week period. Participant recruitment was done through a simple random sampling method. The criteria of inclusion encompassed young females aged 17-25 years, those in good health, and those experiencing primary dysmenorrhea. Exclusion criteria included secondary dysmenorrhea, medication use, polycystic ovarian syndrome, bleeding disorders, positive pregnancy tests, breastfeeding, and other medical conditions. Group A received Pilates exercises, while Group B underwent Gym ball exercises. The assessment of both groups' menstrual distress levels was conducted using the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) and pain scores using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
RESULT
In the statistical analysis, Group A (Pilates Exercises) showed a significantly lower mean value (2.60) on the VAS compared to Group B (Swiss Ball Exercises) (5.46), with both groups experiencing a notable reduction in post-test scores (p ≤ 0.001). Additionally, on the MOOS MDQ score, Group A (Pilates Exercises) achieved a lower mean value (79.33) compared to Group B (Swiss Ball Exercises) (103.26), with both groups demonstrating a significant decrease in post-test scores (p ≤ 0.001).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this study underscores the significance of exercise therapy, particularly Pilates exercises, as a holistic approach to addressing primary dysmenorrhea, improving physical well-being, and enhancing the overall quality of life.
PubMed: 38807793
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59184 -
Frontiers in Reproductive Health 2024Transactional sex (TS) is common in areas of sub-Saharan Africa, motivated by reasons beyond financial support. Through this qualitative study we sought to understand...
INTODUCTION
Transactional sex (TS) is common in areas of sub-Saharan Africa, motivated by reasons beyond financial support. Through this qualitative study we sought to understand the motivation driving TS among adolescent schoolgirls in rural western Kenya where rates are reportedly high. Identifying and understanding drivers within the local context is necessary for implementation of successful public health policy and programming to reduce the associated harms impacting health and wellbeing.
METHODS
To understand the drivers of sexual behaviors, individual views, and socio-cultural norms, we spoke with schoolgirls, male peers, parents and teachers. The three latter groups may influence, encourage, and shape girls' views and behaviors and thus contribute to the perpetuation of cultural and societal norms.
RESULTS
One hundred and ninety-nine participants took part across 20 FGDs; 8 comprised of schoolgirl groups, and 4 each of schoolboy, parent or teacher groups. Through thematic analysis, poverty emerged as the key driver of TS and a normative behaviour amongst secondary school girls. Subthemes including parental influence, need for menstrual pads, pressure from boda boda drivers, peer pressure, and blame were part of a complex relationship linking poverty with TS.
DISCUSSION
We conclude that whilst TS is perceived as inevitable, normal and acceptable it is not really a choice for many girls. Exploring ways to encourage communication between families, including around menstruation, may help enable girls to ask for help in acquiring essential items. In addition, education at a community level may shift social norms over time and decrease the prevalence of age-disparate TS among schoolgirls and older, wealthier men in the community.
PubMed: 38800526
DOI: 10.3389/frph.2024.1325038 -
ACG Case Reports Journal May 2024Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent condition, usually occurring in menstruating and, rarely, in postmenopausal women, in which endometrial glands and stroma...
Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent condition, usually occurring in menstruating and, rarely, in postmenopausal women, in which endometrial glands and stroma grow ectopically outside the uterus. Most often, ectopic endometrial tissue is found within the pelvis and nearby structures. However, endometrial tissue within the upper gastrointestinal tract is very rare and can be a source of bleeding and abdominal pain. Here, we report a case of a 71-year-old postmenopausal woman with hematochezia and diffuse abdominal pain, who was found to have pyloric endometriosis, the pathogenesis of which we will briefly explore.
PubMed: 38799267
DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001359 -
Narra J Apr 2024The initial physiological change in adolescent girls is the onset of menstruation. The most prevalent challenge they face regarding menstruation is primary dysmenorrhea,...
The initial physiological change in adolescent girls is the onset of menstruation. The most prevalent challenge they face regarding menstruation is primary dysmenorrhea, characterized by persistent or intermittent pelvic pain in the lower abdomen. The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of stress levels and physical activities on primary dysmenorrhea. A cross-sectional was conducted in Cirebon, Indonesia, in 2023 included young women who had never given birth (nullipara), aged 17-25 years old, had menstruated, and had no history of smoking and alcohol. The data were collected using a set of questionnaires consisting of the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to determine primary dysmenorrhea pain, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 42 (DASS 42) to determine the level of stress and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to determine physical activity. Pearson's correlation test was used to assess the correlation between the variables (stress levels, physical activity, and dysmenorrhea). A total of 150 young women were included in the study. Moderate stress levels (23.3%) and high physical activity (90.7%) were the most prevalent category observed among studied participants. Approximately 42% of them experienced mild dysmenorrhea pain. Our analysis indicated that stress levels and physical activities had strong positive and negative correlations with dysmenorrhea pain levels, with =0.782 and =-0.748, respectively, with both had <0.001. This highlights that controlling stress could be beneficial in preventing dysmenorrhea pain among young women.
Topics: Humans; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Adolescent; Adult; Stress, Psychological; Young Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Indonesia; Pain Measurement
PubMed: 38798864
DOI: 10.52225/narra.v4i1.685 -
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative... May 2024Dengue fever is one of the most common tropical disease affecting humans. Symptomatic dengue infection causes a wide range of clinical manifestations from mild dengue...
Dengue fever is one of the most common tropical disease affecting humans. Symptomatic dengue infection causes a wide range of clinical manifestations from mild dengue fever to potentially fatal disease such as DHF or DSS. Menorrhagia is rarely presented as a symptom in females with DHF. It is often unnoticed in adolescents who has history of irregular menstruation especially in case of PCOS. This case discusses about an adolescent girl who presented with heavy menstrual bleeding, reddish discolouration of urine, severe abdominal pain, generalised body ache, mild head ache, nausea and fever along with a history of irregular menstruation. Dengue fever along with covid-19 was suspected due to the presentation and the patient revealed a travel history to relative's house. Ayurvedic medicines were administered according to patient's condition. The disease was confirmed as Dengue Haemorrhagic fever by Dengue IgM antibody, Dengue IgG Antibody, NS1 Ag and low platelet count, along with negative RT-PCR for Covid-19. This case serves as a valuable case study in DHF, which can be overlooked by Gynaecologists due to its co-presentation with menstruation, especially in patients with a history of irregular menstruation due to PCOS. Further more this case demonstrates the efficacy of simple, cost effective Ayurvedic interventions, which can be successfully utilized in fatal diseases like DHF with proper monitoring and follow up.
PubMed: 38795577
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100923 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: This study aims to evaluate the association between the use of oral isotretinoin and menstrual irregularities in acne patients with previously regular menstrual... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
: This study aims to evaluate the association between the use of oral isotretinoin and menstrual irregularities in acne patients with previously regular menstrual cycles. : A prospective observational study was conducted on 58,599 female patients aged 14 to 36 at King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan. The patients were followed for a period of 4.5 to 8 months during treatment and for 2 months post-treatment. Menstrual cycle changes were documented, and statistical analysis was performed to identify any significant associations. : A total of 111 (37.1%) patients, who were previously known to have regular menstrual cycles, complained of menstrual changes while using oral isotretinoin. Ninety-nine of those patients who complained of menstrual changes had their cycles back to normal post-treatment. There is a significant difference in the total accumulative dose between those with changes in menses and those without; -value [0.008]. The most common change that occurred was amenorrhea ( < 0.001), followed by oligomenorrhea and menorrhagia ( < 0.001 and = 0.050, respectively). The duration of treatment was a significant predictor of menstrual irregularities, with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.106 (95% CI: 1.371-19.020, = 0.015), indicating a higher likelihood of menstrual changes with increased treatment duration. The total accumulative dose was also significantly associated with menstrual irregularities (OR = 0.964; 95% CI: 0.939-0.990; = 0.006). Additionally, a family history of PCOS significantly increased the odds of menstrual irregularities (OR = 3.783; 95% CI: 1.314-10.892; = 0.014). : The study identified that 37.1% of the participants experienced changes in their menstrual cycles while undergoing isotretinoin therapy, with the vast majority (89.2%) returning to normal within two months post-treatment. Our logistic regression analysis pinpointed the duration of isotretinoin treatment, the total accumulative dose, and a family history of PCOS as significant predictors of menstrual irregularities.
Topics: Humans; Female; Isotretinoin; Prospective Studies; Adult; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation Disturbances; Jordan; Adolescent; Young Adult; Administration, Oral; Acne Vulgaris; Dermatologic Agents
PubMed: 38793015
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050832 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024Tobacco farm laborers are primarily women and children working for very low wages. The aim of this study was to explore occupational and reproductive health challenges...
Tobacco farm laborers are primarily women and children working for very low wages. The aim of this study was to explore occupational and reproductive health challenges faced by women tobacco farm laborers in Mysore District, India. We conducted interviews and six focus group discussions among 41 women tobacco farm laborers. Codes and themes were generated based on deductive and inductive approaches using the socioecological model. Participants reported symptoms of green tobacco sickness including headaches, back pain, gastric problems, weakness, and allergies during menstruation, pre-natal, and post-natal periods. Participants had poor awareness about the health effects of tobacco farming, and there were gender inequalities in wages and the use of personal protective equipment. Participants received support from family and community health workers during their pregnancy and post-natal period. Women reported wanting maternity benefits from the tobacco board, as well as monetary support and nutritional supplements. There is a need for health education about the environmental dangers of tobacco among farm laborers, and more supportive policies for women farmworkers during pregnancy and post-natal periods.
Topics: Humans; Female; India; Adult; Reproductive Health; Young Adult; Farmers; Focus Groups; Middle Aged; Nicotiana; Qualitative Research; Pregnancy; Occupational Health; Adolescent
PubMed: 38791820
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050606 -
Trials May 2024The oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist relugolix, which temporarily stops menstruation, is used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, and low...
The effectiveness of relugolix compared with leuprorelin for preoperative therapy before laparoscopic myomectomy in premenopausal women, diagnosed with uterine fibroids: protocol for a randomized controlled study (MyLacR study).
BACKGROUND
The oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist relugolix, which temporarily stops menstruation, is used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, and low back pain in women with uterine fibroids. Treatment can also help women recover from low hemoglobin levels and possibly shrink the fibroids. However, evidence of preoperative use of relugolix before laparoscopic myomectomy is limited. Nevertheless, the treatment could reduce interoperative blood loss, decrease the risk of developing postoperative anemia, and shorten the operative time. Thus, we aim to test whether 12-week preoperative treatment with relugolix (40 mg orally, once daily) is similar to or not worse than leuprorelin (one injection every 4 weeks) to reduce intraoperative blood loss.
METHODS
Efficacy and safety of preoperative administration of drugs will be studied in a multi-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, noninferiority trial enrolling premenopausal women ≥ 20 years of age, diagnosed with uterine fibroids and scheduled for laparoscopic myomectomy. Participants (n = 80) will be recruited in the clinical setting of participating institutions. The minimization method (predefined factors: presence or absence of fibroids ≥ 9 cm and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] type 1-5 fibroids) with randomization is used in a 1:1 allocation. Relugolix is a 40-mg oral tablet taken once a day before a meal, for 12 weeks, up to the day before surgery. Leuprorelin is a 1.88 mg, or 3.75 mg subcutaneous injection, given in three 4-week intervals during patient visits before the surgery. For the primary outcome measure of intraoperative bleeding, the blood flow is collected from the body cavity, surgical sponges, and collection bag and measured in milliliters. Secondary outcome measures are hemoglobin levels, myoma size, other surgical outcomes, and quality-of-life questionnaire responses (Kupperman Konenki Shogai Index and Uterine Fibroid Symptoms-Quality of Life).
DISCUSSION
Real-world evidence will be collected in a clinical setting to use pre-treatment with an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist to reduce intraoperative bleeding in women who undergo laparoscopic myomectomy.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
jRCTs031210564 was registered on 19 January 2022 in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials ( https://jrct.niph.go.jp ).
Topics: Humans; Female; Leiomyoma; Leuprolide; Uterine Myomectomy; Laparoscopy; Uterine Neoplasms; Premenopause; Treatment Outcome; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Preoperative Care; Equivalence Trials as Topic; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Adult; Blood Loss, Surgical; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Time Factors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Phenylurea Compounds; Pyrimidinones
PubMed: 38790029
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08170-1 -
Biomolecules May 2024There has been considerable progress in our understanding of endometriosis, but its pathophysiology remains uncertain. Uncovering the underlying mechanism of the rare... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There has been considerable progress in our understanding of endometriosis, but its pathophysiology remains uncertain. Uncovering the underlying mechanism of the rare instances of endometriosis reported in early postmenarcheal years and in girls before menarche can have wide implications.
METHODS
We conducted a literature review of all relevant articles on Medline.
RESULTS
In the review, we explore the pathogenetic theories of premenarcheal endometriosis, the role of retrograde menstruation in the adult and its potential role in early-onset disease, as well as the factors that argue against the existence of a link between early-onset endometriosis (EOE) and neonatal uterine bleeding (NUB).
CONCLUSIONS
As with endometriosis in adult women, the pathogenesis of early-onset disease remains unclear. A link between NUB and EOE is plausible, but there are considerable challenges to collating supporting evidence. The state of our understanding of early uterine development and of the pathophysiology of NUB leaves many unknowns that need exploration. These include proof of the existence of viable endometrial cells or endometrial mesenchymal stem cells in NUB, their passage to the pelvic cavity, their possible response to steroids, and whether they can reside within the pelvic cavity and remain dormant till menarche.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometriosis; Uterine Hemorrhage; Infant, Newborn; Uterus; Endometrium; Age of Onset
PubMed: 38785956
DOI: 10.3390/biom14050549