Menstrual Attitudes Research Articles

Relationships among Menstrual Attitudes, Premenstrual Syndrome, and Mindfulness in Female College Students

Relationships among Menstrual Attitudes, Premenstrual Syndrome, and Mindfulness in Female College Students

Dysmenorrhoea and self‐care behaviours among hospital nurses: a questionnaire survey

To investigate self-care behaviours and its predictors for dysmenorrhoea among hospital nurses. Dysmenorrhoea is an important issue in hospital nurses for its influence on job performance and quality of patient care. Given the difficulties in reorganising work schedule for taking menstrual leave in Taiwan, it is necessary to improve the comfort level of nurses during menstruation. A cross-sectional correlation study using a structured questionnaire. A convenience sampling method was used to select two hospitals in Southern Taiwan, and participants were recruited by random sampling method. Questionnaire used in the study contained personal information, Dysmenorrheic Knowledge Scale, Menstrual Attitude Scale and Dysmenorrheic Self-Care Behavior Scale (DSCBS). Two hundred and ninety-seven participants had experienced dysmenorrhoea in the last six months, with the prevalence rate of 70·7%. Results showed the average age of the participants was 30·3 years, and 252 participants (82·4%) self-perceived they were bothered by dysmenorrhoea. The score of DSCBS was 29·9 (±5·3). The results of stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed the predictors of DSCBS included whether the participants (1) were married, (2) had irregular menstruation, (3) had received health education on dysmenorrhoea, (4) visited doctor for dysmenorrhoea, (5) knew they may take menstrual leave and (6) were identified with menstruation as a natural event. The r(2) was 18·4%. Hospital nurses' self-care behaviour for dysmenorrhoea is suggested to be improved through enhanced peer support and caring. The prevalence rate of dysmenorrhoea among hospital nurses is high. Most of them take analgesics to reduce pain to return to work. We recommend hospitals to provide women-friendly workplace and empowerment activities to improve the self-care ability and comfort level of nurses during menstruation.

The Relationship between Life Style, Menstrual Attitude and Premenstrual Syndrome in Nursing Students.

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between life style, menstrual attitude and premenstrual syndrome in nursing students. The study participants were 246 nursing students of a university in Gyeunggi province. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire from May to June, 2012. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, one-way ANOVA and Scheffe test. Students who had undesirable alcohol habits (r=.15, p=.020) and negative menstrual attitude (r=.17, p=.009) experienced more a severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Students with dysmenorrhea had more severe PMS (F=12.41, p<.001) and a negative menstrual attitude (F=6.18, p<.001). These finding suggest that PMS would be alleviated by nursing interventions to improve alcohol habits and decrease negative menstrual attitudes, and nursing interventions for dysmenorrhea would be helpful in PMS management in nursing students. Further studies on the development of nursing interventions related to these factors are needed for PMS management.

Attitudes toward menstruation in females with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders in Taiwan

Objective The aims of this cross-sectional, case-controlled, observational study were to examine attitudes toward menstruation in female patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and in a control group, and to explore the associations between attitudes toward menstruation and psychopathology, menstrual regularity during antipsychotic treatment, and menstrual distress symptoms.Methods Fifty-eight patients treated with anti-psychotic medications for at least the previous 6 months were placed in irregular (irregular menstrual cycle) (n = 31) and regular (regular menstrual cycle) (n = 27) groups. Sixty-two, age-matched, healthy female participants with regular menstrual cycles were enrolled as a control group. Psychopathology was assessed by psychiatrists using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) was used to assess attitudes toward menstruation, and symptom checklists based on the Moos Menstruation Distress Questionnaire (MMDQ) were used to assess menstrual distress symptoms.Results Patients with psychotic disorders (both irregular and regular groups) had more negative attitudes toward menstruation than the control group. In the Schizophrenia group, there was no association between the severity of psychotic symptoms and their influence on attitudes toward menstruation. Moreover, regular menstrual cycles during antipsychotic treatment and fewer menstrual distress symptoms were the two main predictors for more positive attitudes toward menstruation in the patient group.Conclusion This is one of the first studies to explore the relationship between psychotic symptoms and attitudes toward menstruation. The findings provide more support for the assumption that attitudes toward menstruation are derived from a woman’s perception of her bodily experience rather than a psychiatric disorder.

Mexican Adolescents' Experience of Menarche and Attitudes Toward Menstruation: Role of Communication Between Mothers and Daughters

ObjectivesFirst, to explore the kind of information that Mexican mothers give their daughters about menstruation before their menarche, and to study the impact of this communication on how prepared the daughters felt when they experienced their menarche. Second, to investigate the influence of the menarcheal experience on attitudes toward menstruation. DesignCross-sectional survey. SettingsSample of adolescents attending 3 different public schools. Participants405 Mexican postmenarcheal adolescents, aged 12-15 years. InterventionParticipants answered a questionnaire that had 3 parts: (a) General data, (b) topics related to menses that participants had discussed with their mothers prior to menarche, and (c) menarcheal experience. They also answered a questionnaire about menstrual attitudes. ResultsAlthough most of the participants knew what they should do when they experienced their menarche, only 39% stated they had felt prepared to start menstruating. Regarding menstrual attitudes, adolescents scored highest on Negative Feelings and Secrecy rather than on Positive Feelings. Participants who had previously discussed the emotional aspects of menses with their mothers were more likely to claim they had felt prepared to start menstruating when they got their first period (OR = 3.45). The fact that adolescents felt prepared to start menstruating predicted positive attitudes toward menstruation (β = .19) ConclusionsDiscussing the emotional aspects of menses prior to menarche is crucial to being prepared for menarche, and to holding positive attitudes toward menstruation. Information on biological knowledge and practical aspects of menses needs to be supplemented with emotional issues.

Premenstrual syndrome and attitudes toward menstruation in a sample of nursing students

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate baccalaureate nursing students’ attitudes toward menstruation, and to analyze the frequency of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, as well as the relationship between attitudes toward menstruation and PMS symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between February 15 and March 10, 2009, in Ankara Turkey. The study participants were 250 undergraduate nursing student volunteers. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the validated Turkish version of the Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ), and the validated Turkish Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Scale. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Findings: The average age of participants was 19.89 ± 1.43. The MAQ’s five subscales’ mean scores ranged from 2.67 ± 0.58 to 3.37 ± 0.52, indicating natural to moderate attitudes toward menstruation. The mean PMS score was 114.86 ± 35.15, indicating moderate PMS symptoms. PMS symptoms were detected in 36.4% of the nursing students. Thirty one percent of the students reported having dysmenorrhoea during every menstrual cycle. Students who had PMS symptoms scored significantly higher on the debilitation subscale and scored significantly lower on the denial subscale of the MAQ (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this research showed that menstruation was considered to be a natural event by most of the nursing students. In addition, dysmenorrhea was found to be the most common menstrual problem and the rate of PMS was found lower than that found in previous researches conducted in Turkey.

Emotional Reaction to Menarche, Support to Menarche, Children-Parents Communication and Menstrual Attitude in Middle School Female Students

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify middle school female students' children-pa- rents communication, emotional reaction to menarche, support to menarche, and menstrual attitude. Methods: The participants were included 311 middle school female students. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were significant differences in the menstrual attitude between upper 25% and lower 25% group of emotional reaction to menarche, support to menarche and children-parents communication. Emotional reaction to menarche, support to menarche and children-parents com- munication showed a positive correlation with menstrual attitude. Emotional reaction to menarche, support to menarche and children-mother communication showed a significant influence on men- strual attitude. These variables were accounted for 36% of menstrual attitude. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the positive emotional reaction to menarche, support to menarche and open children-mother communication should lead to positive menstrual attitude in middle school female.

Attitudes and practices of school‐aged girls towards menstruation

The purpose of this study was to (i) investigate attitude and menstruation-related practices in Jordanian school-aged girls; (ii) identify the influence of premenstrual preparation on girls' attitude and menstruation-related practices. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected from a convenience sample of 490 school-age girls (12-18 years) from different districts in Jordan. Self-report instruments [Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ), and Menstrual Practices Questionnaires (MPQ)] were used to assess the study variables. Descriptive statistics, correlation and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. It was found that menstrual attitude and practices were positively correlated. Poor attitude toward menstruation and low menstrual practices were significantly associated with inadequate premenstrual preparation. There is a need to prepare girls for menstruation before menarche. The role of the schools and teachers should be reinforced through formal and well planned reproductive health educators for girls and their mothers.

Mentioning Menstruation: A Stereotype Threat that Diminishes Cognition?

To investigate menstruation as a stereotype threat that could have the effect of diminishing cognitive performance, 92 undergraduate women from a small, urban university in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States (US) completed two cognitive tasks, a Stroop test, and an SAT-based mathematics test, as well as a Menstrual History Questionnaire (MH) and the Menstrual Attitudes Questionnaire (Brooks-Gunn and Ruble 1980). The MH served as the menstruation stereotype threat. Some women were also presented with positive information about menstruation, which served as the positive prime. The order of materials varied to yield four conditions: Menstruation Threat/No Positive Prime—MH first, then cognitive tasks; Menstruation Threat/Positive Prime—MH first, then positive information, then cognitive tests; Positive Prime/No Menstruation Threat—positive information first, then cognitive tasks, then MH; and No Positive Prime/No Menstruation Threat—cognitive tests first, then MH. In all four conditions, participants completed the Menstrual Attitudes Questionnaire last. Results indicated that participants receiving the Menstruation Threat completed significantly fewer items on the Stroop test. In addition, subjects in the No Positive Prime/Menstruation Threat condition performed more poorly on the Stroop the closer they were to their next period. This effect was absent for the Positive Prime/Menstruation Threat condition and reversed for participants in the Positive Prime/No Menstruation Threat. This suggests that positive priming moderates the relationship between closeness to menstruation and cognitive performance. Implications of the results for addressing stigma associated with menstruation are discussed.

The Function of Ethnicity, Income Level, and Menstrual Taboos in Postmenarcheal Adolescents’ Understanding of Menarche and Menstruation

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in knowledge about menstruation, feelings of preparation for menarche, and menstrual attitudes of early adolescent girls from different ethnic groups and income levels. An interaction between ethnicity and income level was also investigated. Participants were 165 postmenarcheal adolescent girls’ (ages 11–15) from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, who were categorized into four groups: higher income European Americans, lower income European Americans, higher income African Americans, and lower income African Americans. It was predicted that African Americans, lower income participants, and lower income African Americans would score lower on a menstrual knowledge test, report feeling less prepared for menarche, and report more negative menstrual attitudes (i.e., fewer positive feelings about menstruation, more negative feelings about menstruation, and less openness toward menstruation) than European Americans, higher income participants, and any other income level and ethnicity grouping. Not all hypotheses were fully supported. Participants’ lacked accurate menstrual knowledge and felt unprepared for menarche, but menstrual attitudes were ambivalent. Ethnicity and income level alone did not play a substantial role in girls’ understanding of menarche and menstruation; however, they did interact. Overall, higher income European Americans fared better than the other participants. Theories and research regarding girls’ understanding of menarche and menstruation must take sociocultural factors into account.

Characteristics and Determinants of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Young Adults

Problem statement: Dysmenorrhea is believed to be on rise affecting activities of women adversely. It was considered worthwhile to identify risk factors for dysmenorrhea, since such information is useful in designing management process. Approach: A Cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 healthy females aged 18-28 years. Standardized Self-reporting questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data. The categorical data was analyzed using Chi-sq, correlation and regression analyses by SPSS version 16. Results: Majority (72.9%) of the participants experienced menstrual pain. More than 50% dysmenorrheic subjects experienced pain every menstrual cycle. Among the factors studied menstrual flow, length of flow and family history exhibited positive association while family size had an inverse association to a significant extent (p = 0.01 ). BMI, SFT did not exhibit significant effect, where as time spent in standing was significantly correlated to pain. Dysmenorrheic women scored significantly higher for all the subscales on menstrual attitude questionnaire, wherein certain components describing menstruation as debilitating event or predictability had high score significant at 1% level. Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is becoming a highly debilitating event among young adult females with an increasing prevalence rate. The notorious determining factor may be the family history baring significant association to dysmenorrhea. Attitude towards menstruation and the posture is important contributory factors.

Cultural Practices Relating to Menarche and Menstruation among Adolescent Girls in Taiwan—Qualitative Investigation

Study Objective The aim of this study was to qualitatively record the cultural attitudes and practices associated with menarche and menstruation in Taiwanese girls, particularly with respect to coping mechanisms. Participants Forty-eight adolescent girls participated. Intervention Adolescent girls were individually interviewed to investigate the effects of their cultural practices, coping mechanisms, and physiological symptoms during menarche and menstruation. Main Outcome Measure(s) The qualitative investigation revealed mixed reactions to menstruation, such as eating chocolate, using sanitary napkins, and feeling irritable or embarrassed. Cluster construction suggested that adolescents were prepared for menarche but required emotional support; in addition, the new generation employed the Internet to learn how to cope. Results A phenomenological approach showed that menarche and menstrual attitudes among Taiwanese adolescents were comprised in 4 dimensions: self-perception, information, and cultural practices with regard to menarche; physiological symptoms and psychological reactions during menstruation; coping mechanisms during menarche and menstruation; and methods for coping and cultural practices for menstruation. Cultural beliefs and the Internet have changed cross-cultural contacts. Conclusions Educators and health professionals should seek to understand this generation of girls, who perceive the world as more flexible and available and have more creativity and new eating behaviors and hobbies.

Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT) on Menstrual Discomforts, Menstrual Attitudes, and Quality of Life in College Women

Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT) on Menstrual Discomforts, Menstrual Attitudes, and Quality of Life in College Women

Attitudes Toward Menstruation, Menstrual-Related Symptoms, and Premenstrual Syndrome Among Adolescent Girls: A Rural School-Based Survey

Folk culture surrounding menstrual-related matters has considerable implications for symptom expression and treatment-seeking behavior. A cross-sectional survey of 1,295 rural adolescent girls aged 13 to 19 years was conducted between February 4 and April 16, 2009 to examine these associations. With a higher score indicating a more positive attitude toward menstruation, the mean attitude score was 3.84 (SD ± 1.62) out of a maximum of six. No significant association was observed between the severity of menstrual symptoms and attitudes. Most (63.1%) of the participants identified themselves as having premenstrual symptoms, and 61.1% viewed premenstrual symptoms as a normal part of menstrual cycle. Participants with a higher severity of symptoms in the premenstrual (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.10) and menstrual phase (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07), were more likely to consult a physician for premenstrual symptoms, and having a divorced/separated parents was associated with a reduced odds of consulting a physician compared to those having parents that were married (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05–0.83). The findings imply the need for education to help adolescent girls manage menstrual symptoms and increase awareness of the benefit of treating them. Given that menstrual-related information was widely available from mothers, family, and social culture are potentially important in shaping good menstrual attitudes.

Relationships Among Premenstrual Symptom Reports, Menstrual Attitudes, and Mindfulness.

The physical and affective symptoms of a broad range of conditions are improved following mindfulness-based practices. One set of symptoms that has yet to be explored through the lens of mindfulness, however, is that associated with the premenstruum. Also, given the relationships among negative attitudes towards menstruation and amplified symptom reporting, it is reasonable to expect that mindfulness qualities cultivated through practices aimed at dispelling negative anticipatory and judgmental thinking will moderate these relationships. Thus, in this study we examined interrelationships among premenstrual symptom severity reports (PMSR), menstrual attitudes, and mindfulness qualities in a sample of 127 women (age range 18-26 years). Results revealed several statistically significant positive relationships between menstrual attitudes and PMSR. Also, higher scores on measures of mindfulness were significantly associated with lower PMSR. Moderating effects revealed that mindfulness significantly buffered the relationships between menstrual attitudes and PMSR, specifically between: anticipation of menses onset and PMSR as well as anticipation of menses onset and premenstrual water retention. These results may offer the first empirical evidence of relationships among menstrual attitudes, PMSR, and mindfulness qualities. Results from this study align with the body of research showing that mindfulness is predictive of improved symptomatology and well-being across varied conditions. We conclude with discussion supporting the development of a mindfulness-based intervention aimed at reducing symptom severity in premenstrual symptom sufferers.

The role of the self-concept in the relationship of menstrual symptom attitudes and negative mood

Background: A relationship between symptom attitudes and negative affect has consistently been found in a range of different symptom domains. Little is known, however, about the role of different aspects of the self in this relationship. We explored the mediating role of interferences of symptom with the self-concept in the association of menstrual symptom attitudes and depressive mood. Methods: Eighty-one women completed an online survey on menstrual symptom attitudes, perceived interferences of symptoms with various self-aspects and negative mood states. We tested our hypothesis in a mediation analysis. Results: We found a complete mediation of the relationship of symptom attitudes and depressive mood by interferences of symptoms with self-aspects. However, interferences with self-aspects did not play a role in the association of anxious mood and symptom report. Conclusion: The self-concept should receive greater attention in research on symptom attitudes and psychological well-being. This would be particularly important in research on medically unexplained symptom report.

Relationships Between Menstrual and Menopausal Attitudes and Associated Demographic and Health Characteristics: The Hilo Women's Health Study

The objective of this study was to examine the relation of menstrual attitudes to menopausal attitudes and the demographic and health characteristics associated with each. This cross-sectional study consisted of a randomly selected sample of 1,824 respondents aged 16 to 100 years in multi-ethnic Hilo, Hawai'i. Women completed questionnaires for demographic and health information, such as age, ethnicity, education, residency in Hawai'i, menopausal status, exercise, and attitudes toward menstruation and menopause. Women more often chose positive terms, such as “natural,” to describe menstruation (60.8%) and menopause (59.4%). In bivariate analyses, post-menopausal women were significantly more likely to have positive menstrual and menopausal attitudes than pre-menopausal women. Factor analyses were used to cluster attitudes followed by linear regression to identify demographic characteristics associated with factor scores. Asian-American ethnicity, higher education, reporting more exercise, and growing up outside of Hawai'i were associated with positive menstrual attitudes. Higher education, older age, post-menopausal status, growing up outside of Hawai'i and having hot flashes were associated with positive menopausal attitudes. Bivariate correlation analyses suggested significant associations between factor scores for menstrual and menopausal attitudes. Both negative and positive menstrual attitudes were positively correlated with the anticipation of menopause, although negative attitudes toward menstruation were negatively correlated with menopause as a positive, natural life event. Demographic variables, specifically education and where one grows up, influenced women's attitudes toward menstruation and menopause and should be considered for inclusion in subsequent multi-ethnic studies. Further research is also warranted in assessing the relationship between menstrual and menopausal attitudes.

Military Women's Attitudes Toward Menstruation and Menstrual Suppression in Relation to the Deployed Environment: Development and Testing of the MWATMS-9 (Short Form)

Purpose To determine military women's attitudes toward menstruation and menstrual suppression with oral contraceptives in the deployed environment. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive design with the administration of the Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) and the 55-item Military Women's Attitudes Towards Menstrual Suppression Scale (MWATMS) to a convenience sample ( n = 278) of women in the U.S. Army with deployment experience. Findings The MAQ's five subscales' mean scores ranged from 3.4 (±1.11) to 5.1 (±1.06), indicating neutral to moderate attitudes toward menstruation. Measurement development on the MWATMS produced a nine-item scale with three components: stress effects, benefits to self, and environmental barriers. Conclusion Menstrual attitudes were generally neutral in this sample; however, military women favor menstrual suppression during deployment owing to the effects of stress during deployment, benefits that suppression would provide, and the barriers to menstrual hygiene in the deployed environment. Women who perceived menstruation as bothersome and debilitating had positive attitudes toward menstrual suppression. These findings can contribute to appropriate predeployment women's health care and improve the readiness for deployment in female soldiers. Providers should educate women on the risks and benefits of menstrual suppression methods and provide guidance on impact that the deployed environment can have on their menstrual experiences.

Menstrual-Related Attitudes and Symptoms Among Multi-racial Asian Adolescent Females

Menstruation has important implications on the physical and emotional well-being of adolescents' reproductive health. This study aimed to investigate the perception towards menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), to provide insight into menstrual-related education information in order to help adolescent girls manage the physical and psychological changes associated with menstruation. This cross-sectional study included 1,092 adolescent females from 94 schools in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used in the data collection. The results showed the mean scores on the menstrual attitude questionnaire to be 2.80 (SD ±1.88) out of six. A total of 80.7% and 83.6% of the participants experienced one or more affective and somatic symptoms respectively in the premenstrual phase. Irritability, mood swing and tension were the three most frequently reported affective symptoms, while fatigue and menstrual cramps were highly prevalent somatic symptoms in both the premenstrual and menstrual phases. The effects on functional impairment and quality of life, in order of importance, include poor class concentration, restriction of social and recreational activities, difficulty to mingle with friends, and poor class performance. Despite the evident impact, only 10.3% of adolescent girls consulted doctors for PMS symptoms, while one-third did nothing about their condition. There were ethnic differences in the seeking of treatment for PMS. The study calls for an education program related to PMS and menstrual-related disorders to provide information and support to adolescents. This will help them to cope better with menstrual-related problems, and encourage positive attitudes to menstruation.

Menstrual Socialization, Beliefs, and Attitudes Concerning Menstruation in Rural and Urban Mexican Women

Women living in rural and urban areas of Mexico answered a questionnaire about what they were told at home about menstruation before their menarche (first menstruation), and answered the Beliefs About and Attitudes Toward Menstruation Questionnaire. Around half of both urban and rural women were told that they were going to experience negative perimenstrual changes. There were fewer urban than rural women who were advised to do or not to do certain activities while menstruating. Menstrual socialization affected the beliefs and attitudes concerning menstruation held by women as adults. These findings are discussed in light of the sociocultural background of the participants.