Menstruation Health Research Articles

Building a Future for School-Based Menstruation Health and Hygiene (MHH): Evaluating Implementation of a Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy in Chicago Public Schools

Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) inequities disproportionately impact communities who are marginalized. In 2018, Illinois passed the Learn with Dignity Act (LWDA) requiring schools to provide menstrual products in bathrooms, yet little is known about its impacts. This evaluation examined LWDA implementation across Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and identified barriers, facilitators, and lessons to inform future MHH policy implementations. A qualitative study was conducted by thematically analyzing interviews with CPS staff (n = 36) from October 2020 – September 2021 in partnership with CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW). Staff reported inadequate LWDA and MHH education and inconsistent menstrual product availability. Structural, systemic, and cultural implementation barriers hindered student access to products and created inequities based on age, gender, and income. Staff investment and student education were implementation facilitators. Staff awareness of policy implementation protocol, student MHH education, and addressing access inequities are key factors for consideration in future policy implementations. Through the WSCC model, these findings demonstrated the importance of strengthening MHH policies and policy implementation to promote student health, well-being, and educational opportunities.

Predictors of menstrual health management among the high school adolescent girls

Background: Adolescence (10-19 years) is an essential human developmental stage, during which physical, sexual, psychological, and social development occurs Objectives: To estimate the knowledge and attitude regarding menstruation health as well as its determinants among school going adolescent girls. Methods: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted among school going adolescent girls. In addition to descriptive analysis, bi-variate analysis was also done to find out the association between various predictors of knowledge and attitudes of the study population. Results: Majority of the adolescent girls preferred mother (75.6%) as a source of information regarding puberty related issue with 86.2% of them using health related sanitary pad as one of the methods for menstrual hygiene. Conclusion: Proper menstrual hygiene practices which could be imparted through appropriate interventions at earlier stages of life can prevent the girls and women from suffering reproductive morbidities.

A Comprehensive Review of the Relationship between Junk Food, Obesity, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and Menstruation

This in-depth review research investigates the complex interactions between the consumption of junk food, obesity, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and menstrual health. Understanding how these elements interact is essential for healthcare professionals, researchers, and anyone else attempting to address and handle these complex challenges as they increasingly have an impact on the overall health of women around the world.
 The link between obesity and excessive junk food consumption. Junk food's excessive caloric density and subpar nutritional value contribute to weight gain, which creates the conditions for hormonal imbalances that have an impact on menstruation health.
 PCOS is described as a prevalent endocrine illness that has been linked to ovarian cyst development, hormonal abnormalities, and insulin resistance. The review highlights the intricate relationships among PCOS, obesity, and irregular menstruation.
 The discussion of clinical ramifications emphasises the necessity for a comprehensive strategy to deal with the related problems of junk food intake, overweight, women with PCOS, and irregular periods. The importance of customised therapies, such as dietary adjustments, weight control, and hormone modulation, in total care is discussed.

Evaluation of Menstrual Cycle Tracking Behaviors in the Ovulation and Menstruation Health Pilot Study: Cross-Sectional Study.

Menstrual cycle tracking apps (MCTAs) have potential in epidemiological studies of women's health, facilitating real-time tracking of bleeding days and menstrual-associated signs and symptoms. However, information regarding the characteristics of MCTA users versus cycle nontrackers is limited, which may inform generalizability. We compared characteristics among individuals using MCTAs (app users), individuals who do not track their cycles (nontrackers), and those who used other forms of menstrual tracking (other trackers). The Ovulation and Menstruation Health Pilot Study tested the feasibility of a digitally enabled evaluation of menstrual health. Recruitment occurred between September 2017 and March 2018. Menstrual cycle tracking behavior, demographic, and general and reproductive health history data were collected from eligible individuals (females aged 18-45 years, comfortable communicating in English). Menstrual cycle tracking behavior was categorized in 3 ways: menstrual cycle tracking via app usage, that via other methods, and nontracking. Demographic factors, health conditions, and menstrual cycle characteristics were compared across the menstrual tracking method (app users vs nontrackers, app users vs other trackers, and other trackers vs nontrackers) were assessed using chi-square or Fisher exact tests. In total, 263 participants met the eligibility criteria and completed the digital survey. Most of the cohort (n=191, 72.6%) was 18-29 years old, predominantly White (n=170, 64.6%), had attained 4 years of college education or higher (n= 209, 79.5%), and had a household income below US $50,000 (n=123, 46.8%). Among all participants, 103 (39%) were MCTA users (app users), 97 (37%) did not engage in any tracking (nontrackers), and 63 (24%) used other forms of tracking (other trackers). Across all groups, no meaningful differences existed in race and ethnicity, household income, and education level. The proportion of ever-use of hormonal contraceptives was lower (n=74, 71.8% vs n=87, 90%, P=.001), lifetime smoking status was lower (n=6, 6% vs n=15, 17%, P=.04), and diagnosis rate of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) was higher (n=25, 24.3% vs n=12, 12.4%, P=.04) in app users than in nontrackers. The proportions of hormonal contraceptives ever used and lifetime smoking status were both lower (n=74, 71.8% vs n=56, 88.9%, P=.01; n=6, 6% vs n=11, 17.5%, P=.02) in app users than in other trackers. Other trackers had lower proportions of ever-use of hormonal contraceptives (n=130, 78.3% vs n=87, 89.7%, P=.02) and higher diagnostic rates of heartburn or GERD (n=39, 23.5% vs n=12, 12.4%, P.03) and anxiety or panic disorder (n=64, 38.6% vs n=25, 25.8%, P=.04) than nontrackers. Menstrual cycle characteristics did not differ across all groups. Our results suggest that app users, other trackers, and nontrackers are largely comparable in demographic and menstrual cycle characteristics. Future studies should determine reasons for tracking and tracking-related behaviors to further understand whether individuals who use MCTAs are comparable to nontrackers.

Dysmenorrhea Impact and Insights: A Statistical Analysis among Allied Health Professional Students in West Bengal, India

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is a prevalent gynecological disorder that is characterized by the presence of unpleasant menstrual cramps. This condition has been found to have significant medical, psychological, and social implications for individuals who experience it. Although commonly seen as an inherent characteristic of a properly functioning reproductive system, it can potentially operate as a diagnostic tool for underlying illnesses. Regrettably, dialogues pertaining to dysmenorrhea are sometimes prohibited, particularly among males, within diverse cultural contexts.
 Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes among allied health professions students enrolled at various universities of West Bengal (WB), India with regard to dysmenorrhea. This study aims to examine the impact of cultural variables on the knowledge and communication surrounding dysmenorrhea, specifically within conservative Indian districts.
 Methods: The study sample consisted of 494 students enrolled in allied health professions faculties at different universities of WB. Data collection took place from September 2021 to February 2023. A meticulously designed survey was employed to gather data pertaining to the various sources of knowledge, levels of awareness, attitudes toward discussing dysmenorrhea, and willingness to engage in conversations about menstruation with prospective females. Data interpretation involved the utilization of statistical analysis techniques, such as descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.
 Results: In terms of demographic composition, the study consisted of 86% female participants and 14% male participants. The mean knowledge scores of females (14.41 ± 3.14) were found to be considerably higher compared to males (13.75 ± 4.56). The primary sources of information were the internet (58.3%), maternity figures (48.8%), and educational institutions (46.2%). An observed positive connection (r = 0.244) was found between age and knowledge levels. The participants exhibited a general hesitancy to openly engage in conversations on menstrual symptoms, however, they demonstrated a readiness to engage in discussions about menstruation with their prospective daughters.
 Conclusions: The present study brings attention to the gender discrepancies in knowledge levels pertaining to dysmenorrhea among allied health professions university students of WB. Additionally, it emphasizes the influence of cultural norms on knowledge acquisition and communication around this topic. The statement underscores the need for destigmatization initiatives, comprehensive teaching on menstruation health, and fostering open communication within academic institutions and the broader community. The aforementioned findings offer valuable insights that can inform future educational endeavors and healthcare procedures within this particular subject.

Editorial introductions.

Current Opinion in Endocrinology and Diabetes was launched in 1994, with Obesity added to the title in 2007. It is one of a successful series of review journals whose unique format is designed to provide a systematic and critical assessment of the literature as presented in the many primary journals. The fields of endocrinology and diabetes are divided into 12 sections that are reviewed once a year. Each section is assigned a Section Editor, a leading authority in the area, who identifies the most important topics at that time. Here we are pleased to introduce the Journal's Section Editors for this issue. SECTION EDITORS Shruthi MahalingaiahShruthi MahalingaiahShruthi Mahalingaiah is an assistant professor of environmental, reproductive, and women's health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She serves clinically as a physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she specializes in ovulation disorders, reproductive endocrinology, and infertility. Shruthi has a BA from Middlebury College. She attended Harvard Medical School and an OB/GYN residency and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Mass General Brigham. Her research seeks to understand the links between environmental and modifiable risk factors on human reproduction and gynecological diseases. Shruthi is the creator of the Ovulation and Menstruation Health (OM) Study and one of the principal investigators of the Apple Women's Health Study. Dominic SagoeDominic SagoeDominic Sagoe is a Professor of Psychology at the Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway. He is a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Doping Prevalence Expert Group, and founder and leader of the Human Enhancement and Body Image Lab (HEBI Lab) at the University of Bergen. Dominic obtained a PhD in Psychology from the University of Bergen in 2015 with the thesis: “Nonmedical anabolic-androgenic steroid use: Prevalence, attitudes, and social perception”. His research specialization is epidemiological and psychosocial aspects of human enhancement drug (HED) use, particularly androgens, and body image. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in this specialty and other addictions, and has collaborated with many academics, researchers, policymakers, and health professionals around the world.

Comparison of Herbal Medicines Used for Women's Menstruation Diseases in Different Areas of the World.

Aims: This review aims to compare the use of herbal medicine used to treat women’s menstruation and the prevalence of menstrual diseases in different regions, which reveal the use of herbal medicine globally and provide scientific guidance for improving women’s health. Materials and Methods: The information available on herbal medicines for women between the years 2000 and 2021 was systematically collected via the library and electronic search systems such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science as well as secondary resources including books and conference proceedings. Results: Totally, 571 ethnic medicines commonly used for women’s menstruation health in Asia, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and America were accounted. Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger), Ruta graveolens L. (Common rue), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Angelica sinensis), Foeniculum vulgare Mill (Fennel), Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (Catharanthus roseus) and other medicines which have obvious advantages and long-term usage are utilized in the treatment of menstrual diseases. Family Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Fabaceae, and Zingiberaceae are the most common medicinal plant families used for such treatments. In many instances, the application of fresh parts of plants was observed because of the healers’ belief regarding the higher efficiency of the medicine made from fresh plants. Edible plants are used in a wide range of countries. Conclusion: Women’s menstruation health is directly related to their health condition. Traditional medicines of most ethnic groups have contributed to women’s health care and treatment of gynecological diseases. Practitioners in this field have gained elaborate experience in treatments and medication, and assembled a large number of effective drugs and prescriptions. These experiences have also been inherited and developed by modern clinical application and scientific research. However, the basic research on these drugs is not sufficient, the knowledge of drug use has not been fully popularized, the advantages of drugs have not been fully utilized, and the guiding potential to modern drug research continues to be insufficient. As such, it is necessary to further promote and make a significant contribution to women’s health.

Multimodal Recruitment to Study Ovulation and Menstruation Health: Internet-Based Survey Pilot Study.

BackgroundMultimodal recruitment strategies are a novel way to increase diversity in research populations. However, these methods have not been previously applied to understanding the prevalence of menstrual disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of recruiting a diverse cohort to complete a web-based survey on ovulation and menstruation health.MethodsWe conducted the Ovulation and Menstruation Health Pilot Study using a REDCap web-based survey platform. We recruited 200 women from a clinical population, a community fair, and the internet.ResultsWe recruited 438 women over 29 weeks between September 2017 and March 2018. After consent and eligibility determination, 345 enrolled, 278 started (clinic: n=43; community fair: n=61; internet: n=174), and 247 completed (clinic: n=28; community fair: n=60; internet: n=159) the survey. Among all participants, the median age was 25.0 (SD 6.0) years, mean BMI was 26.1 kg/m2 (SD 6.6), 79.7% (216/271) had a college degree or higher, and 14.6% (37/254) reported a physician diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Race and ethnicity distributions were 64.7% (176/272) White, 11.8% (32/272) Black/African American, 7.7% (21/272) Latina/Hispanic, and 5.9% (16/272) Asian individuals; 9.9% (27/272) reported more than one race or ethnicity. The highest enrollment of Black/African American individuals was in clinic (17/42, 40.5%) compared to 1.6% (1/61) in the community fair and 8.3% (14/169) using the internet. Survey completion rates were highest among those who were recruited from the internet (159/174, 91.4%) and community fairs (60/61, 98.4%) compared to those recruited in clinic (28/43, 65.1%).ConclusionsMultimodal recruitment achieved target recruitment in a short time period and established a racially diverse cohort to study ovulation and menstruation health. There were greater enrollment and completion rates among those recruited via the internet and community fair.

PENDIDIKAN KESEHATAN DAPAT MEMPENGARUHI PENGETAHUAN, SIKAP PRA REMAJA MENGHADAPI MENARCHE

Menarche and menstruation is a physiological process that can cause physical discomfort, emotional and anxiety. SDN in Cluster 3 and 4 Districts Nanggulan there were 10 grade 5 and 6 are not yet menarche say not know about menarche and menstruation and not knowing what to do when menstruation occurs. This happens because there is no health education about menstruation health in the scope of elementary school. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of health education with group discussion and lecture method to the knowledge, attitudes pre teens to face of menarche. Methods: This study is quasy-experiment with approaches pre test-post test control group design. Subjects were 5th and 6th grade students of elementary school at Cluster 3 and 4 Districts Nanggulan Kulon Progo with as many as 111 (discussion method,n = 55 and lecture method,n = 56) who met the inclusion criteria. The instrument used questionnaire. The sampling technique purposive sampling. Statistical test using Friedman test, Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney Test. Results: Scores of knowledge and attitudes before and after treatment there were significant differences in group discussions and lectures with the p=0,00 (p <0.05). Increased knowledge and attitude scores in both groups were significantly different at p=0,00 dan p=0,02 (p <0.05). The increase in effective knowledge and attitude scores on the method of discussion on the first day, the third and fourteenth after health education. Conclusion: Health education with discussion method is more effective than lecture group in increasing knowledge and changing attitudes in the pra-puberty facing menarche.
 Keywords: health education, group discussion method, menarche

Menstrual health management: Knowledge and practices among adolescent girls

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude of adolescent girls regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Material and Methods: After approval by the ethical committee , the study was conducted on 340 adolescent girls aged 12-19 years, belonging to an urban slum area of Delhi. This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 9 months in a tertiary hospital. Confidentiality of the subjects was ensured. Results: Out of 340 girls 69 % were between 16-19 years. Source of information about menstruation in majority of the cases was mother (60%). Only 48% girls knew menstruation before menarche and 24% girls knew uterus as the organ for menstruation. 71 % girls used sterile sanitary napkins as absorbent. Satisfactory changing of pads (>2pads/day) was done by 68 % and 77% girls cleaned the genitalia satisfactorily (>2 times/day). 41% girls were aware of the fact that unhygienic use of pad could be a source of genital infection and 8% girls had associated vaginal discharge. Social restrictions during menses in the form of religious activities, drop out from school, avoiding certain foods etc were practiced in many families. Conclusion: Although the menstrual practices appear to be satisfactory in major percentage of girls but knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene is worrisome, as maximum girls are unaware of menarche and physiology of menstruation. Inclusion of such information in the school curriculum and wider coverage in mass media will help to bridge this gap. Keywords: Adolescence; hygiene; menstruation health

Promoting menstrual health among persian adolescent girls from low socioeconomic backgrounds: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundResearch in the past decade has revealed average to poor menstrual health among many Iranian girls. The present study investigated the effectiveness of a health promotion project on improving menstrual health in adolescent girls in Iran.MethodsA quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the health intervention program. A total of 698 students (study participants and controls) in several schools in Mazandaran province, Iran were included. The project comprised 10 two-hour educational sessions. Educational topics included the significance of adolescence, physical and emotional changes during adolescence, pubertal and menstruation health and premenstrual syndrome. A self-administered questionnaire measuring demographic characteristics, behaviors during menstruation, menstrual patterns, sources of information about menstruation and personal health data was administered. The questionnaire was administered to all participating students after the experimental group received the training.ResultsAmong the most significant results was the impact of educational sessions on bathing and genital hygiene. A total of 61.6% in the experimental group compared with 49.3% in the control group engaged in usual bathing during menstruation (p = 0.002). Individual health status was significantly statistically correlated with menstrual health. Attitude towards menstruation was also significantly related to menstrual health.ConclusionsThe present study confirms that educational interventions, such as the health promotion project in this study, can be quite effective in promoting menstrual health.

A study of sexuality education performance and associated factors among elementary school nurses in Taipei.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance and associated factors of sexuality education by elementary school nurses in Taipei. A structured questionnaire was utilized to collect data from a convenience sample of 145 elementary school nurses. The Kuder-Richarson reliability for sex knowledge scale was.73, and Cronbach's agr; for sex attitude scale was.93. The findings of the study were as followed: (1) Sex knowledge was high among study samples. The average scores for sex knowledge regarding " masturbation ", " sexual harassment and sexual abuse " were among the highest; those regarding " secondary sexual characteristics ", " ovulation ", " menstruation health care ", and " sexually transmitted diseases " were among the lowest. (2) Sex attitude was positive. Eighty percent of the study subjects agreed that school nurses were responsible for the promotion of sexual health in schools. More than 90% of the study subjects were willing to participate actively in sexuality education program in school, providing health consultation and guidance. (3) Twenty percent of the study subjects were not involved in sex education because they were not invited or due to busy working schedule.(4) Marital status, highest level of education, job title, job seniority, continuing education or training experience were the factors associated with the implementation of sexuality education among school nurses.