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Mitra A, Verbakel JY, Kasaven LS, Tzafetas M, Grewal K, Jones B, Bennett PR, Kyrgiou M, Saso S. The menstrual cycle and the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290413. [PMID: 37819943 PMCID: PMC10566721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of COVID-19 virus on menstrual cycles in unvaccinated women is limited. OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence of changes to menstrual cycle characteristics, hormonal symptoms and lifestyle changes prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A retrospective online cross-sectional survey completed by social media users between July 2020 to October 2020. Participants were living in the United Kingdom (UK), premenopausal status and, or over 18 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURES(S) The primary outcome was to assess changes to menstrual cycle characteristics during the pandemic following the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES). Secondary outcomes included assessment of hormonal and lifestyle changes. RESULTS 15,611 social media users completed the survey. Of which, 75% of participants experienced a change in their menstrual cycle, with significantly greater proportions reporting irregular menstrual cycles (P<0·001), bleeding duration more than seven days (P<0·001), longer mean cycle length (P<0·001) and overall bleeding duration (P<0·001). Over half the participants reported worsening of premenstrual symptoms including low mood/depression, anxiety and irritability. When stratified according to COVID-19 infection, there was no significant difference in menstrual cycle changes. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in considerable variation in menstrual cycle characteristics and hormonal symptoms. This appears to be related to societal and lifestyle changes resulting from the pandemic, rather than to the virus itself. We believe this may have an impact on the individual, as well as national economy, healthcare, and population levels, and therefore suggest this should be taken into consideration by governments, healthcare providers and employers when developing pandemic recovery plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Mitra
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Y. Verbakel
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lorraine S. Kasaven
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Cutrale and Perioperative Ageing Group, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Menelaos Tzafetas
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Grewal
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Jones
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip R. Bennett
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Kyrgiou
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Srdjan Saso
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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AlQuaiz A, Albugami M, Kazi A, Alshobaili F, Habib F, Gold EB. Dietary, Psychological and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Premenstrual Symptoms. Int J Womens Health 2022; 14:1709-1722. [PMID: 36561605 PMCID: PMC9766474 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s387259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To measure the associations of diet, psycological distress, and lifestyle factors with premenstrual symptoms (PMSx) in women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods An interview-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 1831 women aged 18-50 years seen in primary healthcare centers and teaching institutes in Riyadh from December 2015 to June 2016. Question topics included sociodemographics, physical activity, smoking, and dietary habits information. PMSx were assessed using a symptom checklist with 6 domains: anxiety/mood changes; abdominal/back/joint pain; increased appetite/weight gain, breast pain/tenderness, severe headache, and ≥3 PMS symptoms (any). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to provide adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with each PMSx domain. Results Except for breast pain, drinking >5 cups of Arabic coffee was associated with increased odds of anxiety/mood [aOR 2.44 (95% CI 1.44, 4.12)], pain [1.83 (1.13, 2.98)], appetite/weight gain [1.66 (1.10, 2.50)], headache [1.57 (1.00, 2.56)] and ≥3 symptoms [1.50 (1.07, 2.11)]. A significant association was noted between sugar intake and anxiety/mood symptoms [1.53 (1.07, 2.19)] and abdominal/back pain symptoms [1.84 (1.17, 2.88)]. Increased severity of psychological distress was associated with all symptom domains: anxiety/mood [2.75 (1.92, 3.94)]; pain [1.45 (0.92, 2.28)]; appetite/weight gain [2.01 (1.53, 2.65)]; breast pain [2.19 (1.68, 2.88)]; headache [1.86 (1.37, 2.54)] and ≥3 symptoms [3.52 (2.49, 4.95)]. Low physical activity was significantly associated with odds of breast pain symptoms [1.29 (1.04, 1.59)]. Smokers were 3.41 (1.19, 9.77) times as likely to report any ≥3 symptoms compared to nonsmokers. Conclusion Several potentially modifiable factors, such as diet and stress, were positively associated with PMSx. Thus, we suggest that increasing women's awareness of healthy lifestyles, particularly diet and stress reduction, may help to reduce the occurrence of premenstrual symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- AlJohara AlQuaiz
- Princess Nora Bent Abdullah Chair for Women’s Health Research, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, King Saud University Medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muneerah Albugami
- Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ambreen Kazi
- Princess Nora Bent Abdullah Chair for Women’s Health Research, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, King Saud University Medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahdah Alshobaili
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, King Saud University Medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawzia Habib
- Princess Nora Bent Abdullah Chair for Women’s Health Research, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Taibah University, Madinah al Munawara, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ellen B Gold
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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Aolymat I, Khasawneh AI, Al-Tamimi M. COVID-19-Associated Mental Health Impact on Menstrual Function Aspects: Dysmenorrhea and Premenstrual Syndrome, and Genitourinary Tract Health: A Cross Sectional Study among Jordanian Medical Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031439. [PMID: 35162469 PMCID: PMC8834694 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The physiology of reproduction is affected by psychological distress through neuroendocrine pathways. Historically, COVID-19 is one of the most stressful events with devastating consequences. This research aims to investigate the relationship between dysmenorrhea, PMS, and reproductive tract health on one hand, and COVID-19-related anxiety, depression, and stress on the other among medical students in Jordan. Medical students were invited through teaching platforms and social media to complete an online survey. SPSS software was used to analyze data. A total of 385 medical students participated in this research. Hence, 49.9% of the study population reported severe dysmenorrhea during COVID-19 compared to 36.9% before COVID-19 (p = 0.000). Dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with disruptions of sport and daily activities during COVID-19 (p = 0.015 and p = 0.002, respectively). The prevalence of PMS components, e.g., mastalgia, fatigue, headache, palpitation, and emotional and sleep disturbances, was raised during COVID-19 compared with before (p < 0.05). Symptoms of genitourinary tract infections, such as lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, genitalia rash/ulcers and itching, and urgency, were significantly increased after COVID-19 (p < 0.05). Positive Pearson correlations between COVID-19-associated mental health disorders and dysmenorrhea severity, PMS, and genital tract health abnormalities were observed (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression model revealed that dysmenorrhea severity, PMS symptoms like palpitation, and genitourinary symptoms like lower abdominal pain and urgency were associated with worsening of depression, while dysuria was associated with a protective effect against depression. Moreover, it was observed that dysmenorrhea severity, PMS symptoms, such as headache and palpitation, and urinary urgency were associated with aggravation of anxiety. However, food craving and dysuria were protective against anxiety. Finally, dysmenorrhea severity, PMS symptoms of headache and palpitation, lower abdominal pain, and urgency were related to worsening of stress, whereas the premenstrual symptom of breast pain was a protective factor against stress. This work showed that COVID-19 pandemic-related psychological distress and menstrual, premenstrual, and genitourinary symptoms are closely related. Further future work is required to evaluate the long lasting-effects of the pandemic on mental health and the physiology of reproduction.
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Rujitharanawong C, Tuchinda P, Chularojanamontri L, Nanchaipruek Y, Jantanapornchai N, Thamlikitkul V, Kulthanan K. Natural history and clinical course of patients with dermographism in a tropical country: a questionnaire-based survey. Asia Pac Allergy 2022; 12:e39. [DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2022.12.e39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chuda Rujitharanawong
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Papapit Tuchinda
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Leena Chularojanamontri
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yanisorn Nanchaipruek
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuttagarn Jantanapornchai
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visanu Thamlikitkul
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanokvalai Kulthanan
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Shayani DR, Arditte Hall KA, Isley BC, Rohan KJ, Zvolensky MJ, Nillni YI. The role of health anxiety in the experience of perceived stress across the menstrual cycle. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2020; 33:706-715. [PMID: 32744859 PMCID: PMC9795484 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2020.1802434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: Hormonal variation throughout the menstrual cycle influences physiological and psychological symptoms, although not for all women. Individual differences in health anxiety (HA) might help to explain the differences in physiological and psychological symptoms and perceived stress observed across women. Design: We examined the moderating role of HA in the relation between menstrual phase and premenstrual symptom severity and perceived stress. Methods: A total of 38 women completed visits in both late luteal and follicular phases, with visit order randomized. Menstrual phase was verified using day-count, a luteinizing hormone test, and progesterone assay. Results: Linear mixed models revealed that women experienced more premenstrual symptoms during the late luteal phase vs. the follicular phase; however, HA did not moderate this effect. There was a significant HA × menstrual cycle phase interaction for perceived stress. During the late luteal phase, women with higher HA reported greater perceived stress compared to women with lower HA. In the follicular phase, women with higher and lower HA reported similar levels of perceived stress. Conclusion: Higher levels of HA may play a role in the experience of perceived stress in specific phases of the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. R. Shayani
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts,Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts,Corresponding Author: Danielle R. Shayani, National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave. (116B-3), Boston, MA 02130.
| | | | - B. C. Isley
- Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - K. J. Rohan
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - M. J. Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas,MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas,HEALTH Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Y. I. Nillni
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts,National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
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Roomaney R, Lourens A. Correlates of premenstrual dysphoric disorder among female university students. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2020.1823608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rizwana Roomaney
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Ashley Lourens
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Abbassinya H, Khademi N, Heshmat F, Naafe M, Mohammadbeigi A. Evaluation of the effect of perforan (Hypericum perforatum) on premenstrual syndrome severity of physical and behavioural symptoms in patients with premenstrual syndrome: A clinical randomised trial. ADVANCES IN HUMAN BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/aihb.aihb_16_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Uzunoğlu G, Aktan ZD. Ergenlerde Premenstrüel Sendrom ile Ruh Sağlığı Değişkenleri Arasındaki İlişki. PSIKIYATRIDE GUNCEL YAKLASIMLAR - CURRENT APPROACHES IN PSYCHIATRY 2019. [DOI: 10.18863/pgy.521549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Kues JN, Janda C, Krzikalla C, Andersson G, Weise C. The effect of manipulated information about premenstrual changes on the report of positive and negative premenstrual changes. Women Health 2016; 58:16-37. [PMID: 27892822 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2016.1263274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Although women predominantly report negative premenstrual changes, a substantial portion of women also reports positive changes. Little is known about factors related to report of positive and negative premenstrual changes. The aim of this experimental study at the Philipps-University of Marburg from January and February 2015 was to investigate the effect of manipulated information about premenstrual changes on the retrospective report of premenstrual changes. A total of 241 healthy women were randomly assigned either to an experimental group (EG) reading: (1) text focusing on negative and positive premenstrual changes (EG1 (+/-)); (2) text focusing on negative changes (EG2 (-)); or (3) control group (CG) text. At least one positive premenstrual change was reported by the majority of the participating women. The results of the MANOVA and discriminant analysis showed that, after having read the text, EG2 (-) reported more negative and fewer positive premenstrual changes in a retrospective screening compared to EG1 (+/-) and CG. No significant difference was observed between EG1 (+/-) and CG. The results show the negative influence of information focusing on negative premenstrual changes on the retrospective report of both negative and positive premenstrual changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna N Kues
- a Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology , Philipps-University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Carolyn Janda
- a Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology , Philipps-University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Clara Krzikalla
- a Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology , Philipps-University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- b Linnaeus Centre, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden.,c Psychiatry Section, Department of Clinical Neuroscience , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Cornelia Weise
- a Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology , Philipps-University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany.,b Linnaeus Centre, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
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Lee Y, Im EO. A path analysis of stress and premenstrual symptoms in Korean international and Korean domestic students. J Adv Nurs 2016; 72:3045-3059. [PMID: 27377582 DOI: 10.1111/jan.13061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To identify the relationships between perceived stress, acculturative stress and premenstrual symptoms, among other associated factors (e.g. depressive symptoms, coping self-efficacy, perceived social support) of premenstrual symptoms suggested in the literature by testing the conceptual framework of the 'Stress and Premenstrual Experience Model: Women in Cultural Transition'. BACKGROUND Level of perceived stress has been cited as a major influencing factor for women's premenstrual symptoms; however, how these two elements are related, including possible mediators and moderators, remains unclear. DESIGN A longitudinal causal-comparative web-based study design. METHODS Data collection occurred between November, 2014 - February, 2015. The convenience sampling method was used to recruit 98 Korean international students and 89 Korean domestic students. Weekly surveys were conducted for 10 weeks to capture women's levels of perceived stress, acculturative stress and premenstrual symptoms from two menstrual cycles. The survey data collected during the premenstrual phase was analysed using path analyses. RESULTS/FINDINGS The hypothesized pathways based on the conceptual model were partially supported in the study. Depressive symptoms were a partial mediator between perceived stress and premenstrual symptoms and between acculturative stress and symptoms in Korean international students. The perceived social support was a moderator between perceived stress and premenstrual symptoms in Korean domestic students. CONCLUSION This study proposes a revised conceptual model that will contribute to the understanding of stress and premenstrual symptom severity in women in the acculturation process and concludes with suggestions and implications for future nursing practice and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaelim Lee
- Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Ok Im
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA
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Lee Y, Im EO. Stress and premenstrual symptoms among Korean women studying in the U.S. and South Korea: A longitudinal web-based study. Women Health 2016; 57:665-684. [DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2016.1181139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yaelim Lee
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eun-Ok Im
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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