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Kubovski A, Cohen Shabot S. Experience of menstruation with the use of reusable menstrual products: a qualitative study among menstruators in Israel. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2024; 26:904-919. [PMID: 37782548 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2023.2260465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Menstruation is an embodied experience that influences menstruators' perceptions of the self and body. The stigma surrounding menstruation and its negative representation in popular culture has consequences for women's sexual and reproductive health. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with forty 18-50 year old participants who used reusable menstrual products to examine their experience of menstruation and how their use of these products shaped their self-body image. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants commonly reported physical, medical and emotional improvement in menstrual experience and improved acceptance of the menstrual body alongside changes in feeling towards menstrual products and related issues. The participants described menstruation, menstrual blood, and the menstrual body more positively than before, reported a high comfort level with and in their bodies, and rejected common representations of menstruation. Findings suggest that using reusable menstrual products can contribute to body appreciation. Given these benefits, further research is needed to assess how knowledge of alternative menstrual products can stimulate positive views about the menstruating body and contribute to menstrual health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kubovski
- Women's and Gender Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Farland LV, Pollack AZ, Schliep KC. Studying reproductive and gynaecologic health as risk factors for chronic disease development. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2024; 38:343-344. [PMID: 38185138 PMCID: PMC11116074 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie V. Farland
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid
Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of
Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Karen C. Schliep
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University
of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Roberson ML. The Intersection of Structural Racism and Health Services Research in Characterizing the Epidemiology of Uterine Fibroids. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e244165. [PMID: 38568697 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mya L Roberson
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Allen AM, Valenti M, Linde-Krieger LB, Medvescek K, Farland LV. Menstrual Phase Identification Questionnaire (MPIQ): Development and validation of a cross-sectional survey to identify follicular and luteal phases. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 32:207-214. [PMID: 37439748 PMCID: PMC10787033 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Evidence continues to accumulate on the influence of the menstrual phase on several biobehavioral outcomes (e.g., substance misuse). Expansion of this knowledge is limited due to the burdensomeness of accurate menstrual phase assessment. Thus, we sought to create and validate a questionnaire that can be used as a stand-alone item within low-resource settings and numerous study designs (e.g., cross-sectional) to accurately identify both the follicular phase (FP) and the luteal phase (LP). Participants completed the self-administered four-item Menstrual Phase Identification Questionnaire (MPIQ) in two recently completed clinical trials. We assessed the accuracy of two MPIQ scoring criteria (less restrictive and more restrictive), as compared to self-report of onset of menses alone, with progesterone confirmation via dried blood spots. Participants (n = 59) were, on average, 33.7 (standard deviation [SD]: ± 4.3) years old and provided a total of 83 responses. Assessing FP and LP using the self-reported onset of menses alone classified 65.1% of the responses with an overall phase identification accuracy of 60.2%. While the more restrictive MPIQ scoring classified 100% of the responses, it yielded a similar accuracy (68.4%). In contrast, the less restrictive MPIQ scoring classified 100% of the responses and also significantly improved phase identification accuracy to 92.1% (p < .001). The MPIQ, as a stand-alone item, allows all cross-sectional responses to be classified with a high level of accuracy. This low-burden questionnaire can be used alone to identify FP and LP in studies that may be otherwise limited by study design, finances, and/or participant burden. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M. Allen
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Michelle Valenti
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Linnea B. Linde-Krieger
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Kristina Medvescek
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Leslie V. Farland
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
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Langton CR, Harmon QE, Baird DD. Family History and Uterine Fibroid Development in Black and African American Women. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e244185. [PMID: 38568693 PMCID: PMC10993075 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Uterine fibroids are an understudied condition, with earlier onset in Black than White women. Prior studies of the importance of family history on fibroid development are limited by reliance on hospital-based participant selection, poorly defined measures of family history, and nonsystematic fibroid assessment. Objective To examine whether family history is a risk factor for fibroid development using prospective ultrasonography data to identify incident fibroids and measure fibroid growth and standardized methods to ascertain family history. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective community cohort of Black and African American women from the Detroit, Michigan, area was conducted from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018, using 4 standardized ultrasonographic examinations during 5 years to detect fibroids 0.5 cm or larger in diameter and measure fibroid growth. Data analysis was performed between May 2022 and January 2024. Exposures Maternal fibroid history data were gathered directly from participants' mothers when possible (1425/1628 [88%]), and 2 exposure variables were created: maternal history of fibroids (diagnosed vs not diagnosed) and age at maternal fibroid diagnosis (20-29, 30-39, or ≥40 years vs not diagnosed). Main Outcomes and Measures Fibroid incidence was assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models; fibroid growth was calculated as change in log-volume per 18 months for fibroids matched at successive ultrasonograms. Results A total of 1610 self-identified Black and/or African American women aged 23 to 35 years (mean [SD] age, 29.2 [3.4] years) with no prior clinical diagnosis of fibroids at enrollment were available for analysis. Of 1187 fibroid-free participants at enrollment, 442 (37%) had mothers who were diagnosed with fibroids. Compared with participants without a maternal history of fibroids, those reporting maternal history had an adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of 1.21 (95% CI, 0.96-1.52). Risk was strongest in those whose mothers were diagnosed at a younger age (20-29 years: AHR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.11-2.21; 30-39 years: AHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.71-1.49; ≥40 years: AHR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.81-1.52; P = .053 for trend). Fibroid growth rates were higher when mothers were diagnosed with fibroids vs not diagnosed (8.0% increased growth; 95% CI, -1.2% to 18.0%). Conclusions and Relevance In this prospective cohort study, results supported maternal history of fibroids as a risk factor for incident fibroids, especially when mothers were diagnosed at a younger age. Maternal history was also associated with increased fibroid growth. Asking patients about their family history of fibroids could encourage patient self-advocacy and inform care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R. Langton
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Quaker E. Harmon
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Donna D. Baird
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Sullivan P, Goodman F. Letter to the Editor: The global burden of disease due to benign gynecological conditions: A call to action. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 165:392-393. [PMID: 38344880 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Poppy Sullivan
- Barts and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, QMUL, London, UK
| | - Freya Goodman
- Barts and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry, QMUL, London, UK
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Włodarczyk M, Ciebiera M, Nowicka G, Łoziński T, Ali M, Al-Hendy A. Epigallocatechin Gallate for the Treatment of Benign and Malignant Gynecological Diseases-Focus on Epigenetic Mechanisms. Nutrients 2024; 16:559. [PMID: 38398883 PMCID: PMC10893337 DOI: 10.3390/nu16040559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The most common malignant gynecologic diseases are cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal, and vulvar cancer. Among them, ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. A great number of women suffer from endometriosis, uterine fibroids (UFs), adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which are widespread benign health problems causing troublesome and painful symptoms and significantly impairing the quality of life of affected women, and they are some of the main causes of infertility. In addition to the available surgical and pharmacological options, the effects of supporting standard treatment with naturally occurring compounds, mainly polyphenols, are being studied. Catechins are responsible for the majority of potential health benefits attributed to green tea consumption. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is considered a non-toxic, natural compound with potential anticancer properties. Antioxidant action is its most common function, but attention is also drawn to its participation in cell division inhibition, apoptosis stimulation and epigenetic regulation. In this narrative review, we describe the role of EGCG consumption in preventing the development of benign reproductive disorders such as UF, endometriosis, and PCOS, as well as malignant gynecologic conditions. We discuss possible epigenetic mechanisms that may be related to the action of EGCG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Włodarczyk
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
- Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland;
- Warsaw Institute of Women’s Health, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
- Development and Research Center of Non-Invasive Therapies, Pro-Familia Hospital, 35-302 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Grażyna Nowicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
- Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Łoziński
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pro-Familia Hospital, 35-302 Rzeszow, Poland;
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (M.A.); (A.A.-H.)
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Fagen JL, Shelton JA, Luché-Thayer J. Medical Gaslighting and Lyme Disease: The Patient Experience. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 12:78. [PMID: 38200984 PMCID: PMC10778834 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Even though there are approximately half a million new cases of Lyme disease in the US annually, according to the CDC, it is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, which can result in a chronic, multisystemic condition. Lyme disease is a recognized public health threat and is a designated "notifiable disease". As such, Lyme disease is mandated to be reported by the CDC. Despite this, both acute and chronic Lyme disease (CLD) have been relegated to the category of "contested illnesses", which can lead to medical gaslighting. By analyzing results from an online survey of respondents with Lyme disease (n = 986), we elucidate the lived experiences of people who have been pushed to the margins of the medical system by having their symptoms attributed to mental illness, anxiety, stress, and aging. Further, respondents have had their blood tests and erythema migrans (EM) rashes discounted and were told that CLD simply does not exist. As a result, a series of fruitless consultations often result in the delay of a correct diagnosis, which has deleterious consequences. This is the first study that addresses an extensive range of gaslighting techniques experienced by this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Fagen
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice, Lamar University, P.O. Box 10026, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA
| | - Jeremy A. Shelton
- Department of Psychology, Lamar University, P.O. Box 10036, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA;
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Haji-Noor ZM, Mathias JG, Beltran TG, Anderson LG, Wood ME, Howard AG, Hinton SP, Doll KM, Robinson WR. The Carolina hysterectomy cohort (CHC): a novel case series of reproductive-aged hysterectomy patients across 10 hospitals in the US south. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:674. [PMID: 38114962 PMCID: PMC10729499 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02837-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hysterectomy is a common surgery among reproductive-aged U.S. patients, with rates highest among Black patients in the South. There is limited insight on causes of these racial differences. In the U.S., electronic medical records (EMR) data can offer richer detail on factors driving surgical decision-making among reproductive-aged populations than insurance claims-based data. Our objective in this cohort profile paper is to describe the Carolina Hysterectomy Cohort (CHC), a large EMR-based case-series of premenopausal hysterectomy patients in the U.S. South, supplemented with census and surgeon licensing data. To demonstrate one strength of the data, we evaluate whether patient and surgeon characteristics differ by insurance payor type. METHODS We used structured and abstracted EMR data to identify and characterize patients aged 18-44 years who received hysterectomies for non-cancerous conditions between 10/02/2014-12/31/2017 in a large health care system comprised of 10 hospitals in North Carolina. We used Chi-squared and Kruskal Wallis tests to compare whether patients' socio-demographic and relevant clinical characteristics, and surgeon characteristics differed by patient insurance payor (public, private, uninsured). RESULTS Of 1857 patients (including 55% non-Hispanic White, 30% non-Hispanic Black, 9% Hispanic), 75% were privately-insured, 17% were publicly-insured, and 7% were uninsured. Menorrhagia was more prevalent among the publicly-insured (74% vs 68% overall). Fibroids were more prevalent among the privately-insured (62%) and the uninsured (68%). Most privately insured patients were treated at non-academic hospitals (65%) whereas most publicly insured and uninsured patients were treated at academic centers (66 and 86%, respectively). Publicly insured and uninsured patients had higher median bleeding (public: 7.0, uninsured: 9.0, private: 5.0) and pain (public: 6.0, uninsured: 6.0, private: 3.0) symptom scores than the privately insured. There were no statistical differences in surgeon characteristics by payor groups. CONCLUSION This novel study design, a large EMR-based case series of hysterectomies linked to physician licensing data and manually abstracted data from unstructured clinical notes, enabled identification and characterization of a diverse reproductive-aged patient population more comprehensively than claims data would allow. In subsequent phases of this research, the CHC will leverage these rich clinical data to investigate multilevel drivers of hysterectomy in an ethnoracially, economically, and clinically diverse series of hysterectomy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakiya M Haji-Noor
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joacy G Mathias
- Division of Women's Community and Population Health and Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North, Carolina, USA
| | - Theo Gabriel Beltran
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lauren G Anderson
- Division of Women's Community and Population Health and Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North, Carolina, USA
| | - Mollie E Wood
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Annie Green Howard
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sharon Peacock Hinton
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kemi M Doll
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Whitney R Robinson
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Division of Women's Community and Population Health and Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North, Carolina, USA.
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Durbhakula S, Fortin AH. Turning Down the Flame on Medical Gaslighting. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:3426-3427. [PMID: 37407765 PMCID: PMC10682300 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08302-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shravani Durbhakula
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Auguste H Fortin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Tellum T, Jurkovic D. Understanding and addressing female pelvic pain - a multifaceted challenge. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2023; 102:1248-1249. [PMID: 37773602 PMCID: PMC10540917 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tina Tellum
- Department of GynecologyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Davor Jurkovic
- Gynecology Diagnostic and Outpatient Treatment UnitUniversity College London HospitalLondonUK
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