Evaluation of menstrual irregularities following COVID-19 infection or vaccination: The impact of COVID anxiety and associated risk factors.

There has been significant interest in the changes in menstrual cycles following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the evidence for such changes and their potential risk factors. We used a descriptive study design and gathered data by sharing an online survey questionnaire on social media platforms. The questionnaire included questions regarding sociodemographic factors, menstrual cycle changes, and COVID-19 anxiety. The study population comprised women aged 18 to 49 years from Izmir. All data analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 21.0. The risk factors influencing menstrual irregularities were determined after the COVID binary logistic regression analysis, including univariate and multivariate models. Among the 465 participants, those with an associate's degree had a significantly higher risk of menstrual irregularities than those with a high school diploma (P = .012). Anxiety scores emerged as a significant risk factor for menstrual cycle irregularities (P = .026). However, neither COVID-19 infection nor vaccination resulted in significant changes in the menstrual cycle characteristics (P > .05). Other sociodemographic variables, such as age, body mass index, and smoking, were not significantly associated with menstrual cycle changes(P > .05). The study findings suggest that educational level and anxiety may play a role in menstrual irregularities, whereas COVID-19 infection or vaccination itself may not directly affect menstrual cycle.

Factors influencing menstrual regularity among female workers: a cross-sectional analysis study.

BACKGROUND: Regularity of menstrual cycles is an important indicator of women's health and fertility, and female workers are exposed to several factors, such as sleep disorders, stress, and shift work, that affect their menstrual regularity. This makes it necessary to comprehensively identify the determinants of menstrual regularity. Therefore, this study identified the factors affecting menstrual regularity among female workers from physiological, psychological, and situational dimensions based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the 2010-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and utilized the data of 2418 female workers. Based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms, physiological factors included age, age at menarche, childbirth experience, body mass index, and sleep duration. Psychological factors included stress level, depressive mood, and suicidal ideation. Situational factors included education level, household income, consumption of alcohol, engagement in smoking, and work schedule. The χ²-test and hierarchical logistic regression analysis were performed, reflecting the complex sample design. RESULTS: Age at menarche, childbirth experience, and body mass index among physiological factors and education level and work schedule among situational factors were found to be related to menstrual regularity. A higher risk of menstrual irregularities was found among those who had given birth (versus those who had not), had a high age at menarche (versus those with a low age at menarche), were obese (versus those who had a normal body mass index), had elementary school-level or lesser educational achievements (versus those with college graduate-level or higher educational achievements), and who had a shift work schedule (versus those with a fixed schedule). CONCLUSIONS: Intervention is needed for female workers who have these risk factors, and special attention must be paid to female workers who have a shift work schedule. Additionally, since body mass index can be controlled, intervention concerning body mass index is necessary to reduce menstrual irregularity.

Evidencia del mensaje de sufrimiento hereditario / Evidence for the hereditary suffering message

En este artículo pondremos un ejemplo de la vida real para demostrar con claridad todo lo escrito. Se trata del caso de una mujer de 35 años que llega a la consulta con un solo síntoma importante para ella. No le viene la menstruación desde hace años. Y si le viene, es solo esporádicamente. Refiere que la última vez que le ha venido regularmente fue cuando se separó de su novio; después se sintió libre y contenta, segura de sí misma. Años después, se ha vuelto a enamorar y han vuelto a desaparecer las menstruaciones. Cuando se configura la historia familiar nos encontramos (sin dar demasiados detalles) una historia con ciertas características que han constituido el lenguaje primordial, inconsciente y consciente, de la vida de la paciente. Resulta ser que, durante tres generaciones, mujeres dominantes y severas con los demás han tenido hijos naturales a escondidas, antes de casarse con sus maridos respectivos, que también han tenido otros hijos naturales fuera del matrimonio con anterioridad. Al final, acabaron casándose de manera oficial con sus respectivas mujeres (abuelas y madre de la paciente), ya que éstas habían quedado embarazadas. Ellos, hombres sin responsabilidad amorosa, vivieron ajenos a las obligaciones como padres; el condicionamiento social los forzó a mantener la casa y los hijos, pero sin que ello implicara la capacidad para proteger y educar a los hijos que, por tanto, siempre dependieron solo de ellas.

A percepção de mulheres sobre a menstruação: uma questão de solidariedade / Women's perception of menstruation: a question of solidarity / La percepción de mujeres sobre la menstruación: una cuestión de solidaridad

Objetivo: descrever a experiência de mulheres em relação à menstruação. Metodologia: estudo qualitativo baseado no método de análise de conteúdo temática. O cenário foi o campus de uma universidade pública no Rio de Janeiro. Participaram 23 mulheres entre 20 e 72 anos de idade. Os dados foram obtidos entre julho/2015 e julho/2016 através da entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: foi identificada, como tema central/categoria, a questão da solidariedade entre mulheres quando o assunto é menstruação. Emergiram quatro sub-categorias: A conexão das mulheres com a menstruação; A experiência de menstruar afetando umas às outras; A influência e o suporte proveniente das mães e/ou de outras mulheres; e A transferência. Conclusão: a menstruação causa sentimentos ambíguos nas mulheres, resultando em predomínio de sentimentos negativos, como medo e sensação de vergonha. Ao mesmo tempo pode ser percebida como motivo de felicidade e tranquilidade. A solidariedade entre mulheres pode influenciar positivamente a percepção da mulher sobre a menstruação, sendo elemento de empoderamento.

Objective: to describe women's experience of menstruation. Methodology: this qualitative study was based on the thematic content analysis method. The setting was a public university campus in Rio de Janeiro. Twenty-three women from 20 to 72 years old participated. Data were obtained between July 2015 and July 2016 by semi-structured interview. Results: the central theme/category was identified as solidarity among women with regard to menstruation. Four subcategories emerged: women's connection with menstruation; one's experience of menstruating affects others; influence and support from mothers and/or other women; and transference. Conclusion: menstruation causes ambiguous feelings in women, with negative feelings, such as fear and a sense of shame, predominating. At the same time, it can be seen as a reason for happiness and tranquility. Solidarity among women is a factor of empowerment, and can influence women's perception of menstruation positively.

Objetivo: describir la experiencia de mujeres en relación con la menstruación. Metodología: estudio cualitativo basado en el método de análisis de contenido temático. El escenario fue el campus de una universidad pública en Río de Janeiro. Participaron 23 mujeres cuya edad estaba entre 20 y 72 años. Los datos se obtuvieron entre julio/2015 y julio/2016 a través de entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: se identificó, como tema central/categoría, la solidaridad entre mujeres en relación con la menstruación. Surgieron cuatro subcategorías: la conexión de las mujeres con la menstruación; la experiencia de menstruar, afectando unas a las otras; la influencia y el apoyo de las madres y/o de otras mujeres; y la transferencia. Conclusión: la menstruación causa sentimientos ambiguos en las mujeres, resultando en predominio de sentimientos negativos, como el miedo y la sensación de vergüenza. Al mismo tiempo, podría percibirse como un motivo de felicidad y tranquilidad. La solidaridad entre mujeres puede influir positivamente en su percepción sobre la menstruación, siendo un elemento de empoderamiento

Polycystic ovary syndrome and its impact on Iranian women's quality of life: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a major public health concern worldwide affecting up to one in five women at reproductive age. It is associated with biochemical and hormonal disturbances as well as adverse cosmetic, reproductive, metabolic, and psychological consequences, resulting in worsened quality of life. The aim of the present study is evaluating the quality of life and determining its degrading factors among Iranian women suffering from this syndrome. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 PCOS women in Hamadan, Iran. In order to measure quality of life we used the Persian version of Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire for PCOS (PCOSQ). Descriptive statistics was used to explore the data. In addition linear regression analysis was performed to assess factors affecting health-related quality of life in this population. RESULTS: The mean score for quality of life domains (from the greatest to the least serious concern) were: infertility (3.43 ± 1.63), emotions (3.55 ± 1.17), menstrual problems (3.77 ± 1.36), body hair (3.80 ± 2.05) and weight (4.32 ± 1.80), respectively. The higher score represents better function. However, multivariate analysis revealed that hirsutism had the strongest impact on the patients' quality of life (p < 0.001) followed by infertility (p = 0.038) and menstrual irregularity (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that impairment of quality of life was associated with PCOS related conditions such as hirsutism, infertility and menstrual problems.

Understanding polycystic ovary syndrome from the patient perspective: a concept elicitation patient interview study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the need for a new disease-specific patient reported outcome (PRO) measure for use in clinical trials of drugs designed to target the underlying causes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and in the process contribute to our understanding of the symptoms and impacts that define the patient experience with PCOS. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 20 women diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria who had not menstruated in the previous month. The relative importance of PCOS symptoms and impact concepts to patients was determined by analyzing the frequency of their expression in the interview transcripts. These insights were compared to clinicians' perceptions of PCOS. RESULTS: Pain- and discomfort-related symptoms accounted for the highest proportion (27.6%) of the 735 patient expressions, although clinicians did not consider pain to be important to patients with PCOS. The most frequently expressed individual symptoms were cramping (70% of patients; 14.7% of concepts), irregular menstruation (95% of patients; 12.2% of concepts), facial hair growth (75% of patients; 10.6% of concepts), heavy bleeding (70% of patients; 8.8% of concepts), infertility (70% of patients; 5.4% of concepts), and bloating (60% of patients; 5.2% of concepts). Cramping, heavy bleeding, and bloating were not identified by clinicians as being important to patients with PCOS. The impacts most frequently reported by patients with PCOS related to emotional well-being (e.g. anxiety/stress) and coping behaviors (e.g. acne medication, hair removal). CONCLUSIONS: The only validated PCOS-specific PRO, the PCOSQ, does not capture some key PCOS symptoms and impacts expressed by patients with PCOS, most notably those related to pain and discomfort, bleeding intensity and coping behaviours. Furthermore, some key PCOS symptoms may be under-recognized in the clinic.

The association between mental health problems and menstrual cycle irregularity among adolescent Korean girls.

BACKGROUND: Menstrual cycle irregularity is common among adolescents and can induce mental health problems such as stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. We examined the association between mental health problems and menstrual cycle irregularity among adolescent Korean girls. METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional study was on 808 female adolescents (12-18 years of age) participating in the 2010-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Psychological stress, depressive mood, suicidal ideations, suicide attempts, and psychological counseling were assessed through questionnaires and surveys, and hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The risk of menstrual cycle irregularity tended to increase, as the number of mental health problems increased (P for trend=0.016). High stress levels, depressive mood, and psychological counseling were associated with increased risks of menstrual cycle irregularity (odd ratio [95% confidence interval]=1.88 [1.1-3.21], 2.01 [1.01-4.03], and 2.92 [1.16-7.34], respectively) even after adjusting for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical activity, hemoglobin level, monthly household income, weight loss attempts, age at menarche, and sleep duration. Suicidal ideation was not significantly associated with menstrual cycle irregularity. LIMITATIONS: Menstrual irregularity was evaluated based solely on subjects' self-reports, which are subject to their subjective perceptions and appraisal. Cross-sectional design and retrospective data could not draw causal relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Positive associations were observed between mental health problems and menstrual cycle irregularity among adolescent Korean girls. More attention should be paid towards mental health, to improve menstrual cycle regularity and help prevent related chronic diseases later in life.

Associations between eating disorder diagnoses, behaviors, and menstrual dysfunction in a clinical sample.

We explored associations between lifetime eating disorder (ED) diagnoses and behaviors and menstrual dysfunction using logistic regression models. Body mass index (BMI) fully explained differences in the odds of secondary amenorrhea (SA) across diagnoses. Women with dieting behaviors had borderline significantly higher odds of SA than those without after accounting for BMI. We suggest the presence of a strong association between BMI and SA and that dieting might represent a risk factor for SA regardless of BMI and ED diagnosis.

Menstrual cycle characteristics in women with persistent schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Oestradiol has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Women with schizophrenia often suffer with menstrual dysfunction, usually associated with low oestradiol levels, but whether menstrual dysfunction has an effect on their psychiatric symptoms is not well researched. The aim of this study is to document the menstrual characteristics of women with chronic schizophrenia with focus upon menstrual regularity, menstrual cycle length and menstrual symptoms. To determine which patient characteristics are associated with irregular menses and whether irregular menses are associated with the severity of psychotic symptoms, menstrual symptoms or depressive symptoms. METHOD: Cross-sectional analyses using baseline data of women enrolled in a clinical trial. Inclusion criteria include Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition, Text Revision diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective or schizophreniform disorder; aged between 18 and 51 years; residual symptoms of psychosis despite treatment with a stable dose of antipsychotic medication for at least 4 weeks. Menstrual cycle characteristics including regularity, cycle length and menstrual associated symptoms were documented. Symptoms of schizophrenia were measured using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, cognition was measured using Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status and depression was assessed using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Blood samples were collected at baseline for hormone assays. RESULTS: Of the 139 women, 77 (55.4%) had regular menses, 57 (41%) had irregular menses and 5 (3.6%) women had missing data on their menstrual cycle. Use of atypical antipsychotics associated with hyperprolactinaemia was positively associated with irregular menses (odds ratio = 4.4, 95% confidence interval = [1.8, 10.9], p = 0.001), while age more than 30 years was negatively associated (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% confidence interval = [0.1, 0.6], p = 0.004). Women with irregular cycles had significantly lower oestradiol levels than women with regular cycles (213.2 ± 25.0 vs 299.0 ± 27.3, p = 0.03), but there was no difference in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale or Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status between those with regular and irregular cycles. The most common menstrual associated symptoms were decrease in mood with the menstrual cycle (64.8%), bloating (64.8%), cramps (59.7%), back pain (37.6%) and worsening of psychosis symptoms (32.4%). CONCLUSION: Regular menses are associated with higher oestradiol levels and higher rates of cyclical mood symptoms but are not associated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores. Understanding the effect the menstrual cycle can have on psychiatric illness, such as premenstrual exacerbations, is important for the holistic care of women with schizophrenia.

Of PCOS symptoms, hirsutism has the most significant impact on the quality of life of Iranian women.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder affecting women both physically and psychologically and can lead to a poor quality of life compared to their normal counterparts. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of various clinical features of polycystic ovary syndrome on the health-related quality of life of Iranian women diagnosed with this syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 796 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, aged 15-49 years, completed the questionnaires, interviews, and medical assessments required for this study. A reliable and validated Persian version of the health-related quality of life questionnaire for polycystic ovary syndrome patients was used. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 28.02 years. 35.4% of the subjects were classified as overweight or obese. Hirsutism, was reported to have the strongest impact on the patients' health-related quality of life, followed in descending order by body mass index, irregular menses and infertility. The relative level of hirsutism was directly proportional to decrease in health-related quality of life score (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study found that hirsutism had the strongest impact on the health-related quality of life measures in Iranian women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Health care officials need to evaluate in depth the effect of each clinical feature of polycystic ovary syndrome separately and design management strategies, keeping in mind the psychological and physical manifestations.

Providing young women with credible health information about bleeding disorders.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 1% of U.S. women may have an undiagnosed bleeding disorder, which can diminish quality of life and lead to life-threatening complications during menstruation, childbirth, and surgery. PURPOSE: To understand young women's knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about bleeding disorders and determine the preferred messaging strategy (e.g., gain- versus loss-framed messages) for presenting information. METHODS: In September 2010, a web-assisted personal interview of women aged 18-25 years was conducted. Preliminary analyses were conducted in 2011 with final analyses in 2013. In total, 1,243 women participated. Knowledge of blood disorders was tabulated for these respondents. Menstrual experiences of women at risk for a bleeding disorder were compared with those not at risk using chi-square analyses. Perceived influence of gain- versus loss-framed messages also was compared. RESULTS: Participants knew that a bleeding disorder is a condition in which bleeding takes a long time to stop (77%) or blood does not clot (66%). Of the women, 57% incorrectly thought that a bleeding disorder is characterized by thin blood; many were unsure if bleeding disorders involve blood types, not getting a period, or mother and fetus having a different blood type. Women at risk for a bleeding disorder were significantly more likely to report that menstruation interfered with daily activities (36% vs 9%); physical or sports activities (46% vs 21%); social activities (29% vs 7%); and school or work activities (20% vs 9%) than women not at risk. Gain-framed messages were significantly more likely to influence women's decisions to seek medical care than parallel loss-framed messages. Findings suggest that the most influential messages focus on knowing effective treatment is available (86% gain-framed vs 77% loss-framed); preventing pregnancy complications (79% gain- vs 71% loss-framed); and maintaining typical daily activities during menstrual periods. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of information about bleeding disorders is a serious public health concern. Health communications focused on gain-framed statements might encourage symptomatic young women to seek diagnosis and treatment. These findings and corresponding recommendations align with Healthy People 2020 and with CDC's goal of working to promote the health, safety, and quality of life of women at every life stage.

Uterine leiomyoma: understanding the impact of symptoms on womens' lives.

BACKGROUND: Most women report negative experience about the symptoms of uterine leiomyoma (UL) in their lives, such as abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain. Many studies have been conducted about efficacy of UL treatment, but little research has been performed about womens health related quality of life (HRQL). METHODS: This is a semi-structured, descriptive, observational, qualitative study that was performed during eight months. Focus group (FG) interviews were performed with women attending at a tertiary hospital in Brazil, who were consecutively included in the study. Seventy women with symptomatic UL were recruited to this study. FG duration was one hour with mediators with 5-6 women at each group. Collected data from discussions was processed according to thematic analysis and stored at a qualitative software. RESULTS: Women were negatively influenced by the presence of symptomatic UL. The major themes that were noticed during analysis were: beliefs and attitudes towards UL; limitation to social and professional activities; sensation of fear/unfairness/discouragement towards the symptoms and adverse effects during treatment with GnRH analogs. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic UL has a negative impact on womens HRQL. Health providers should consider such impact when counseling women on their treatment options, since it may have an important influence in these patients' decision-making process. While current pharmacological treatments may improve disease specific outcomes, such as bleeding intensity and tumor volume, they fail on actually improving quality of life.

[Adolescent gynecology in the medical office]. / Adoleszentengynäkologie in der Praxis.

In the age group of adolescents occur some gynecological problems which present different than in adult women. One is heavy menstrual bleeding, another menstrual problem is life burdening dysmenorrhea. Girls often do not speak about, they do not know what is really normal. Malignant breast masses are very rare, mostly fibroadenoma or cysts are found. With childhood obesity PCOS is a rising hormonal disturbance with impact on future fertility. Counseling adolescents in contraception is another challenge, focused on adherence, chronic disease and disabled teenagers. Together with the risks of unintended pregnancy adolescents have a high risk of sexually transmitted infections. Recommending preservative use and HPV and Hepatitis B vaccination is very important. Cervical cancer screening should start at age 21, girls with special risks (immunodeficiency, very early sexual activity) starting individually at earlier age.

Dans l'adolescence il y a plusieurs problèmes gynécologiques, qui se présentent différentes que chez les femmes adultes. Ce sont plutôt les saignements menstruels forts et la dysménorrhée influente le quotidien. Les jeunes filles n'en parlent pas d'elles mêmes, ne savent pas encore ce qui est normal. Les tumeurs malignes du sein sont rares, il s'agit surtout des fibroadénomes ou des kystes. Avec la progression de l'obésité dans l'enfance le risque pour le syndrome des ovaries polykystique augmente. Celui-ci peut influencer la fertilité. Le conseil de la contraception chez les adolescentes est un défi: Il est très important de prendre en considération les adolescentes avec les maladies chroniques et handicaps. A part des grossesses non désirées les jeunes filles ont un risque plus grand de contracter des infections sexuellement transmissibles. Il faut les encourager à l'utilisation du préservatif e a faire les vaccins de HPV et hépatite B. Le premier prélèvement de cancer commence a l'âge de 21 ans. Les jeunes filles avec des risques particuliers (activité sexuelle précoce, immunodéficience) ont besoin d'un screening avancé individuel.

Predictive factors of health-related quality of life in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a structural equation modeling approach.

OBJECTIVE: To determine association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychosexual variables in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Two private gynecology clinics. PATIENT(S): A sample of 300 women with PCOS were entered into the study and were subdivided into three groups: hyperandrogenism (HA) and PCO morphology; menstrual dysfunction and PCO morphology; menstrual dysfunction and HA and/or PCO morphology. Then each patient completed the following questionnaires: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Body Image Concern Inventory, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Short-Form Health Survey, and the Female Sexual Function Index. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Both direct and indirect relationships among clinical symptoms, psychologic status, self-esteem, body image, and sexual function as independent predictors of HRQOL were examined with the use of structural equation modeling analysis. RESULT(S): The clinical variables and psychologic distress had the strongest indirect relationships with HRQOL in the HA phenotype. The highest effect of PCOS symptoms on HRQOL impairment in patients with menstrual irregularities along with HA and patients with menstrual irregularities along with polycystic ovaries was exerted by clinical variables, poor perception of self-worth, negative body image, and sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION(S): In patients with various phenotypes of PCOS, the effects of mediating variables on HRQOL are different. In patients with PCOS, the findings suggest that mediating factors, especially psychologic distress, self-esteem, body image, and sexual function, play an important role and should be taken into consideration and adequately treated if present.

Genitourinary symptoms in patients with adenomyosis.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Adenomyosis causes problems in women, including dysmenorrhea and abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding; however, its etiology is unknown. We hypothesized that urinary symptoms are frequent in patients with adenomyosis and that they affect the patients' quality of life. METHODS: We conducted a pilot study from September 2011 to December 2011. Ninety-one patients with an ultrasound diagnosis of uterine adenomyosis comprised the study group (adenomyosis group). Ninety-four women with a normal-appearing uterine myometrium on ultrasound comprised the control group. Patients filled out two validated questionnaires, the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7). Patients also underwent a pelvic examination and urinary symptoms were recorded. Groups were compared using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The frequency of urinary symptoms was significantly higher in the adenomyosis group than in the control group (P = 0.0001), including stress urinary incontinence, urgency, daytime frequency, urge urinary incontinence, and dyspareunia. Total UDI scores were significantly higher in the adenomyosis group than those in the control group (P < 0.0001), as were IIQ scores of questions regarding social relations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that urinary tract dysfunction is associated with adenomyosis and that urinary symptoms may affect patients' quality of life.

Factors associated with resilience or vulnerability to hot flushes and night sweats during the menopausal transition.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with "resilience" and "vulnerability" to hot flushes and night sweats. METHODS: A total of 4,407 women aged 45 to 54 years who were recruited from family practices in northeast Scotland responded to a postal questionnaire. Among respondents reporting high-frequency hot flushes (n = 628) or night sweats (n = 628), we compared those with low levels of bother ("resilient") with the rest. Similarly, among women reporting low-frequency hot flushes (n = 459) or night sweats (n = 459), those with high bother ("vulnerable") were compared with the rest. Forward stepwise logistic regression examined social, psychological, and physical factors associated with resilience or vulnerability to each symptom. RESULTS: Women resilient to hot flushes were those who had previously not been bothered by their menstrual periods; were not experiencing somatic symptoms or night sweats; and perceived their symptoms as having low consequences on their lives. Those vulnerable to hot flushes had children; had a high body mass index; reported night sweats; and perceived their symptoms as having high life consequences. Women resilient to night sweats were nonsmokers; were not experiencing sleep difficulties; were not using psychological symptom management strategies; and perceived their menopausal symptoms as having low life consequences. Those vulnerable to night sweats had low educational attainment; had previously been bothered by their menstrual periods; had below-average physical health; reported musculoskeletal symptoms and hot flushes; and perceived their menopausal symptoms as having high life consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with resilience or vulnerability differ by symptom studied, although relationships with illness perceptions exist in all models. Our results suggest that a single approach to managing these symptoms is likely to be unsuccessful.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function in women with a menstrually related mood disorder: association with histories of sexual abuse.

INTRODUCTION: We previously reported a unique hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis profile in women with a menstrually related mood disorder (MRMD) who also had a history of sexual abuse (SA). In the present study, we sought to extend that work by examining the association of an SA history with HPT-axis disturbance in both women with MRMD and women without MRMD. METHODS: Fifty-seven women met the prospective criteria for MRMD (23 with an SA history), and 52 women were non-MRMD (18 with an SA history). Thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxin (T4; total and free), and triiodothyronine (T3; total and free) were evaluated in serum, together with thyroid hormone ratios reflecting T4 to T3 conversion. RESULTS: Women with MRMD, compared with women without MRMD, had elevated T3/T4 ratios (p values ≤ .01; reflecting increased conversion of T4 to T3) and lower free and total T4 concentrations (p values = .01). Higher T3/T4 ratios and lower T4 concentrations predicted more severe premenstrual symptoms in all women. An SA history, irrespective of MRMD status, was associated with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations (p = .03). However, in women with MRMD, an SA history was associated with elevated T3 concentrations (p = .049), whereas in women without MRMD, an SA history was associated with decreased T3 concentrations (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: An MRMD and an SA history are associated with independent and interactive effects on the HPT axis. The evidence that an MRMD moderates the influence of SA on T3 concentrations contributes to a growing body of work suggesting that an SA history may identify a distinct subgroup of women with MRMD.

Menopausal complaints in Slovak midlife women and the impact of CYP1B1 polymorphism on their incidence.

A wide variety of symptoms have been attributed to menopause, negatively influencing women's physical and psychological health. In addition to lifestyle parameters and personal history, genetic factors are considered to be the main source of this variation. This study aims to investigate the incidence of menopausal symptoms among midlife women according to their menopausal status, and to evaluate the contribution to their manifestation from CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism as a predisposing factor for menopausal symptoms. The studied cohort consisted of 299 women ranging from 39 to 59 years of age. Women were recruited from the western and middle parts of Slovakia, and all participants completed a menopause-specific questionnaire and provided blood or saliva samples for genotyping. Our results indicated that all women are at risk of typical menopausal symptoms, but there is a higher number of postmenopausal women affected than premenopausal ones. Regression analysis showed that the CYP1B1 Leu/Leu genotype can increase the experience of bloated stomach and facial hair increase in all the sampled women, while the Leu/Leu genotype may increase experience of palpitations and involuntary urination in the premenopausal women. The Leu/Leu genotype may increase the experience of nausea, bloated stomach, and vaginal dryness in peri- and postmenopausal women. We determined that women with the Leu/Leu, or Leu/Val genotypes were approximately five times more likely to suffer from vaginal dryness than the Val/Val women (OR = 4.948; 95% CI, 1.259-19.447). We therefore suggest that CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism could be involved in individual susceptibility to menopausal symptoms in Slovak midlife women.

Reliability and validity of a new sexual function questionnaire (Nagoya Sexual Function Questionnaire) for schizophrenic patients taking antipsychotics.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to validate a new user-friendly sexual function questionnaire (Nagoya Sexual Function Questionnaire [NSFQ]) for schizophrenic patients taking antipsychotics. METHODS: Schizophrenic outpatients (men = 30, women = 30) were asked to fill out the NSFQ at initial entry into the research program (Time1) and again 1 to 2 weeks later (Time2). To assess the convergent validity of the NSFQ, at Time1, subjects were asked to fill out the Japanese version of the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogekser Side Effect Rating Scale (UKU). To assess the discriminant validity of the NSFQ, at Time1, subjects were also asked to fill out the Japanese version of Epworth Sleepiness Scale. RESULTS: Results from Cronbach's alpha analysis indicated that the NSFQ demonstrated excellent internal consistency and scale reliability. The NSFQ also demonstrated strong test-retest reliability. The NSFQ total score was highly correlated with the UKU total score. The NSFQ was shown to have good convergent validity with the UKU. The NSFQ total score was not correlated with the Japanese version of Epworth Sleepiness Scale total score. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminant validities of the NSFQ.

Work and family stress is associated with menstrual disorders but not with fibrocystic changes: cross-sectional findings in Chinese working women.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the separate and combined effects of work and family stress on menstrual disorders and fibrocystic changes in Chinese working women. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study of 1,642 female railway workers. The Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire and Family Stress Scale were used to measure work stress and family stress, respectively; the menstrual and breast conditions were evaluated by gynecologic interview and a medical examination. Multivariate log-binomial regression was performed to analyze the associations. RESULTS: Menstrual disorders were found in 59.3% of female workers, and 54.8% had fibrocystic changes. The risk of menstrual disorders was significantly elevated with respect to work and family stress. The highest risk was found in the group with combined exposure to both work and family stress (RR with 95% CI 1.33 (1.18-1.49)). No significant association between stress and fibrocystic changes was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Menstrual disorders were associated with stress from work and family life, but not fibrocystic changes, in working women. Tailored intervention measures reducing the burden of stressful psychosocial work and family environment are needed to improve women's reproductive well-being.