Articles tagged with Menstruation
A new study found that 77% of girls in mid-Western Nepal still sleep outside in menstruation huts, despite the practice being criminalized in 2018. The tradition, rooted in ancient Hindu customs, exposes women to harsh conditions, including animal bites and smoke inhalation.
A study of 32,748 Dutch women found that menstrual symptoms cause significant lost productivity, with 33% of work time affected. Women are more likely to experience lost productivity due to symptoms than take time off entirely.
A study led by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that Madagascar girls experience significant gaps in knowledge about puberty, leading to inadequate guidance on sexuality and menstruation management. Improved toilet facilities are also needed to reduce challenges faced by girls in school.
Researchers analyzed 80 endometrium samples to improve diagnosis accuracy. They found that the day of menstrual cycle reported by women often does not match the actual phase. The study aims to establish causes and treatments for endometriosis, a disease affecting 10-15% of reproductive-aged women.
Researchers found that granting access to sanitary products alone is insufficient to improve well-being. Interventions should focus on knowledge, social support, and reducing negative attitudes towards menstruation.
A study found a link between fewer reproductive years and an increased risk of dementia in women. Women with shorter total reproductive years had a higher risk of developing dementia, particularly those who started menstruating later or went through menopause earlier.
A new Danish study from Aarhus University found that girls' pubertal milestones, such as breast development and acne, are occurring 3 months earlier than those of their mothers. Boys also reached several puberty benchmarks 6 months to a year earlier than in previous studies
Girls and women face inadequate sanitation options, including lack of private toilets with doors and locks, resulting in stress, embarrassment, and physical discomfort. Mainstreaming female-friendly toilets could significantly impact meeting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals on health, education, and gender.
Researchers aim to determine if stabilizing estradiol and progesterone can protect females at risk for suicide from increased depression and suicidal thoughts around menses. The study will compare symptoms of suicidality among participants in three experimental conditions: placebo, estradiol stabilization, and progesterone stabilization.
Researchers developed a toolkit to address menstruation-related needs of girls and women fleeing disaster or conflict, but found a lack of effective approaches for managing menstruation with dignity in challenging settings. The study highlights the need to expand practical guidance for vulnerable groups, including girls with disabiliti...
Girls and women in emergency contexts face inadequate access to safe facilities and supplies for menstrual hygiene management. A new study highlights the need for improved guidance and coordination among sectors to address this challenge.
Research reveals that young women who start menstruating earlier may spend less time in education due to delayed emotional development. On average, starting menstruation one year later was associated with an additional 53 days spent in education.
A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle have no impact on working memory, cognitive bias, or ability to pay attention. The study followed 68 women across two consecutive menstrual cycles and found no replicable effects of hormones on cognition.
Early menstruation is linked to earlier age of sexual initiation, pregnancy and marriage in low- and middle-income countries. Girls who menstruate before age 14 are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse and get married at a younger age.
Researchers at KU Leuven have successfully grown three-dimensional cultures of the endometrium in a laboratory dish, shedding light on the monthly menstrual cycle and its regulation by female hormones. The new technique enables the study of diseases such as endometrial atrophy and cancer, as well as drug discovery and screening.
Hypothalamic amenorrhea affects adolescent girls and women with low body weight, causing halted menstruation. The Endocrine Society's Clinical Practice Guideline provides recommendations for diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing behavioral modifications and specialized dietary instructions.
Women who started menstruating early may face a higher risk of stroke, according to research published in Neuroepidemiology. Starting periods at age 13 or younger increases the risk by 1.8 times compared to those who started at age 15. Further research is needed to confirm this association.
A recent study found that girls from low-income families in the US are unprepared for puberty, with many reporting negative experiences during this transition. The research highlights the need for more robust interventions to support and provide information about puberty for low-income girls.
A new study found that well-trained women do not experience autonomic heat responses during exercise, despite common misconceptions. The research also revealed that humid heat reduces sweat effectiveness, leading to impaired performance.
A new study found that women who start menstruation at a younger age have a higher risk of certain health issues, including coronary heart disease. In contrast, those who experience menopause later in life are more likely to be in excellent health overall and live longer.
Experts say women are underrepresented in sport and exercise research due to fears about drug trials and physiologic differences. This exclusion perpetuates a significant gap in understanding the impact of hormonal fluctuations on athletic performance.
A recent study by Kelly Klump at Michigan State University reveals that ovarian hormones influence eating disorders in women by turning genetic risk on and off. Changes in hormone levels drive increases in binge eating and emotional eating across the menstrual cycle.
Women in perimenopause experience more sleep disturbances before menstruation due to higher progesterone levels, which disrupt deep sleep and lead to more awakenings. This study provides insight into the mechanisms behind sleep disturbances during menopause transition.
A new study found that frequent consumption of sugary drinks is associated with an earlier onset of menstruation in girls. The researchers followed 5583 girls aged 9-14 years and found that those who drank more than 1.5 servings of sugary drinks per day had their first period 2.7 months earlier.
A Monash University study found that endometriosis often takes a long time to be diagnosed and impacts various areas of a woman's life. Common symptoms include painful menstruation, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility.
A new theory proposes that epigenetic modification plays a key role in the development of endometriosis, a chronic disease affecting 1 in 10 women. The research suggests that alterations in the epigenetic landscape, rather than genetic mutations, contribute to the disease's progression.
Research suggests brain activity and hormone fluctuations play crucial roles in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women with PMDD exhibit hyper-responsive amygdala activation in response to emotional stimuli, particularly low progesterone levels. The study aims to develop new treatment strategies for affected women.
A new study reveals that young female cancer survivors experience significant impairment in quality of life due to fertility concerns. The study found that women's perception of their own fertility status was the most influential factor in determining overall quality of life.
The latest themed issue of Reproductive Health Matters explores the unmet needs of adolescents regarding reproductive health, sex education, and relationships. Papers from around the world address key issues such as HIV misinformation, menstrual health, and safe abortion services.
A study of over 1300 female marathon runners found that breast pain is more common among larger breasted women, but also affects childless women. Exercise intensity and duration can exacerbate symptoms, leading some to reduce exercise intensity or miss training sessions.
A recent study found that Chinese women who started menstruating later or went through menopause at an older age were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The study also discovered a higher risk of osteoporosis for those with early menopause, with benefits seen in women over 50 when entering menopause.
A study of 1,638 women found that early menarche is associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, as well as overall obesity in adulthood. The researchers suggest that targeting lifestyle interventions for high-risk women may help prevent metabolic consequences of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that continuous oral contraceptive pills provide earlier relief for moderate to severe menstrual cramps, reducing symptoms by up to six months. Women taking the continuous treatment reported significant pain relief due to uninterrupted treatment, outperforming cyclic treatment in terms of pain relief timing.
Research by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reveals that elite girls' soccer athletes are at higher risk for delayed or irregular menstruation and stress fractures. A consistent warm-up exercise program can significantly decrease ACL injury risk.
Young female athletes who stop menstruating may experience weakened bone structure and increased risk of fractures despite regular exercise. A new study found that amenorrhea in athletes can lead to abnormal bone microarchitecture, a significant public health concern.
A study found that early menstruation (before age 10) increases the risk of lung complaints in adulthood, with southern European women being most affected. Women who started their periods earlier also tend to have lower lung capacity and higher body fat.
Researchers suggest scheduling mammograms in the first week of a woman's menstrual cycle to improve accuracy in detecting breast cancer. The study found that mammography conducted at this time was more sensitive, but not necessarily specific, for finding breast cancers in pre-menopausal women.
Two clinical trials found SE5-OH with Natural S-equol to be safe and well-tolerated in both pre- and post-menopausal women, with no significant impact on reproductive hormones or menstrual cycle length. The supplement showed promise in reducing hot flashes in post-menopausal women.
A simple blood test can help optimize the timing of breast MRI exams in premenopausal women with irregular cycles, reducing non-diagnostic tests and repeat scans. Researchers found that a blood test to determine serum progesterone concentration can aid in optimal timing.
A randomized controlled study found that laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) did not improve chronic pelvic pain, painful menstruation or quality of life compared to laparoscopic surgery without pelvic denervation. The study involved 487 women with chronic pelvic pain and followed them for up to five years.
A research team has identified genetic variants that influence the timing of female puberty, a finding with implications for later life health outcomes. The study, published in Nature Genetics, also found a link between earlier menarche and increased body mass index.
Two genes have been identified as key regulators of female sexual maturation, with their variants associated with earlier onset of menstruation. The study's findings suggest a genetic basis for the links between early menstruation and body mass index and height.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered that an enzyme called telomerase is released by cells in the inner lining of the womb during the menstrual cycle, contributing to endometriosis. The abnormal length of telomeres and expression of telomerase in endometrial cells may lead to severe pain and infertility.
A new study by Professor Anne Campbell found that women are more likely to experience regret and decreased satisfaction after a one-night stand compared to men. Despite taking part in casual sex, women do not view it as a precursor to long-term relationships.
Researchers from Harvard University found that teenage athletes with hormone disorders may experience amenorrhea, leading to infertility and early bone density loss. Ghrelin levels were higher in amenorrheic girls than non-athletes, suggesting a link between energy deficit and menstrual irregularities.
A team of Japanese researchers found that premenstrual syndrome is tied to decreased nerve activity, particularly in those with extreme symptoms. Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder had altered sympathovagal activity even in the follicular phase, suggesting a potential underlying biomechanism for PMS.
A study found that two-thirds of women are interested in stopping their periods but lack understanding of the medical implications. Physicians, however, believe continuous oral contraceptive therapy is medically safe and acceptable, sparking a need for better patient-physician dialogue.
A study found that women with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) report poor sleep quality during the late luteal phase, while controls showed no significant differences. The researchers suggest that women with PMS may have underlying electroencephalogram trait markers.
Researchers demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of continuous-use oral contraceptives eliminating menstrual cycles in a study published in Contraception. Healthy women between 18-49 years old showed significant relief from menstrual cycle symptoms without breaks or placebos.
A study of monkeys found that a high-soy diet did not alter menstrual cycle characteristics or ovarian hormone levels, suggesting that soy consumption may not affect fertility. The research confirms earlier findings that stress levels can impact ovarian function and fertility.
Research reveals that women are 25% more likely to experience migraines before menstruation and that severe attacks often occur during pre- and post-menstruation intervals. Medication frovatriptan shows promise in preventing menstrually-related migraines, with over half of patients experiencing no migraine attacks.
A US team found that most healthy couples conceive within two years, and fertility in women declines as early as the late 20s. The study suggests delaying assisted reproductive techniques until a couple has failed to conceive naturally for 18-24 months.
Research by Professor Malcolm Koo found that higher dietary fibre intake is associated with a later onset of menstruation in girls. Girls consuming over 25g of fibre per day had approximately half the risk of early menarche compared to those with less than 18g of fibre daily.
Researchers found that premenopausal women who underwent mastectomy alone had similar survival outcomes regardless of the menstrual cycle phase. In contrast, those who received adjuvant oophorectomy and tamoxifen during the luteal phase experienced better disease-free and overall survival rates. Additionally, studies suggest socioecono...
A study published by Harvard University Medical School found that during a woman's menstrual cycle, estrogen levels may shield them from cocaine's brain-altering effects. The findings suggest progesterone and testosterone enhance cocaine-induced vasoconstriction, while estrogen may blunt its vascular effects.
A 2000 study found that daughters of mothers exposed to the chemical polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) in contaminated Michigan feed experienced earlier onset of menstruation and pubic hair growth. The study, funded by NIH/NIEHS, linked high PBB exposure to an average age of first menstruation before 12 years.
A study found that young women with heart disease experience worsening exercise performance and angina pain in the early follicular phase, just after menstruation, but improved performance and slower pain onset in mid-cycle. Sex hormones may play a role in these fluctuations.
A University at Buffalo study found that a woman's biology, specifically age at first menstruation and first live birth, are major predictors of resolved fertility in fertile women, not lifestyle habits. Women over 30 at first live birth were three times more likely to take longer than a year to conceive.
Research suggests that women under 50 may experience false-negative mammogram results when screened during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. By scheduling mammograms during the first half of their cycle, the accuracy of breast cancer detection can be improved.
A University of Michigan study analyzes data from various studies to show that whole-body metabolic rate changes over the course of the menstrual cycle, becoming about 7 percent lower after menstruation. This metabolic cycling saves an amount of energy equivalent to six days' worth of food over four menstrual cycles.