Search Results (12)

Background: Dysmenorrhea, categorized as primary (PD) or secondary (SD), significantly affects females during their reproductive years, impairing quality of life, performance, and social relationships. Alongside medical treatment, exercise and probiotics are complementary measures for managing PD and promoting health. This study examined the impact of probiotic supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on PD severity, physiological modulation, and physical fitness. Methods: Participants, recruited according to the primary dysmenorrhea criteria, were divided into non-PD (control) and PD groups, with the PD group further classified into dysmenorrhea (Dysmen), dysmenorrhea with probiotics (DysmenPro), dysmenorrhea with exercise (DysmenEx), and dysmenorrhea with both (DysmenExPro). Interventions included 10 weeks of HIIT and probiotics. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included questionnaires on premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, physical fitness evaluations, and blood sample analyses for biochemical, hormonal, and prostaglandin levels. Results: HIIT significantly reduced premenstrual symptoms, menstrual distress, and pain severity, likely due to hormone (estradiol, prolactin, progesterone, cortisol) modulation and decreased inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, PGE2, PGF2α). Cardiovascular endurance and explosive strength showed improvement through high-intensity interval training (HIIT), whereas probiotics had no significant effect on these aspects of physical fitness. While probiotics reduced premenstrual and menstrual distress symptoms, they had no notable impact on pain, inflammation, or hormone levels. Dysmenorrhea-related discomforts were correlated significantly with inflammation and hormones. Conclusions: The intervention strategy involving probiotics and HIIT exercise may be utilized as an alternative and complementary treatment to alleviate PD symptoms. Furthermore, this strategy could also be incorporated into educational health plans to promote women’s health and potentially prevent gynecological disorders in the adolescent population. Full article

Background and Objectives: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders are responsible for primary dysmenorrhea and are closely linked to the spine. This study aims to evaluate the effects of sacroiliac joint manipulation on the ANS and lower abdominal pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea and proposes an alternative treatment method. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 participants were randomly assigned; however, 35 participants remained in the final analysis after 5 dropped out; they were assigned to either the sacroiliac joint manipulation group (n = 18) or the superficial heat therapy group (n = 17). Assessments included heart rate variability (HRV), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for lower abdominal pain, the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the sacroiliac joint, and the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MMDQ) at baseline and after 4 weeks. Only the VAS and MMDQ scores were reassessed after 8 weeks to evaluate the sustained effects of the treatment. Results: Changes in HRV showed improvements in ANS balance only in the sacroiliac joint manipulation group (p < 0.05). It was found to be more effective than superficial heat therapy (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in lower abdominal pain following the intervention was observed in both groups (p < 0.05), along with the sustained effects of the treatment (p < 0.05). The MMDQ scores decreased after sacroiliac joint manipulation (p < 0.05), with greater improvements compared to the superficial heat therapy (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Sacroiliac joint manipulation positively affects ANS balance and is effective in alleviating lower abdominal pain and menstruation-related symptoms, with sustained effects observed over time. Therefore, sacroiliac joint manipulation can be an effective alternative treatment for women with primary dysmenorrhea. Full article

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea, a highly prevalent condition that significantly impacts women’s daily activities and quality of life, occurs without underlying pelvic pathological changes. Conventional treatments, such as warm water therapy, provide temporary relief; however, more effective interventions are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an Adlay-based formula in reducing dysmenorrhea symptoms through randomized controlled trials. Methods: A total of 69 participants were randomly assigned to either the Adlay-based formula group (n = 35) or the placebo group (n = 34). Baseline characteristics, including age, age of menarche, dysmenorrhea onset, menstrual duration, BMI, blood pressure, and heart rate, were comparable between groups. The primary outcomes were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for dysmenorrhea, pain assessment scales, the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), and serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers (PGE2, PGF2α, IL-6, Hs-CRP). Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in VAS scores at both the first treatment and at the end of the study compared to baseline and the placebo group. Pain assessments indicated improvements in persistent pain, dull pain, exhaustion, nausea/vomiting, lower abdominal swelling, back pain, diarrhea, and cold sweats. Additionally, biomarker analysis revealed significant reductions in PGE2, PGF2α, and Hs-CRP levels in the intervention group, with no significant change in IL-6 levels. Conclusions: The Adlay-based formula effectively alleviated dysmenorrhea symptoms, improved pain and discomfort, and reduced inflammatory biomarkers compared to placebo. These findings suggested that the formula could serve as a promising alternative for managing primary dysmenorrhea. Full article

Menstruation-related symptoms in young women are associated with lifestyle factors such as stress. This study aimed to examine menstrual conditions, menstruation-related symptoms, and types of stress in Japanese female students from their first to second years of university and the association between menstruation-related symptoms and stress levels. This prospective longitudinal cohort study utilized a self-reported web survey with the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) at three timepoints (2, 8, and 14 months) following admission and continuing into the second year. Data from 33 out of 102 students, who were followed throughout the study period, were used for analysis. Results indicated a trend towards changes in menstrual regularity, with the lowest (48.5%) at timepoint 1 and the highest (72.7%) at timepoint 3, and significant changes in perceived bleeding amount. Stress related to study and academic performance was consistently highest, with significant differences across timepoints. Intra-menstrual MDQ scores were highest at timepoint 1, with significant variations in impaired concentration severity across timepoints. Significant correlations were found between the MDQ scores and stress related to health and personality at all timepoints, and to future prospects, friendships, study, and academic performance at different timepoints. In short, stress related to academic performance, along with a strong correlation between MDQ scores and specific stress types, such as health and personality, was observed across all timepoints. This implies the need to provide new students with health education regarding menstruation and stress management before specific timepoints. Full article

Menstruation and menstrual-related symptoms, stress, and lifestyle factors can significantly affect the health and academic lives of university students. This study aimed to explore menstruation-related symptoms and associated factors among female university students in Vietnam. This study used a cross-sectional design. Data from 349 students were analyzed for menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). We found that 92.0% and 98.9% of the students had menstrual-related symptoms in the pre- and intra-menstrual phases, respectively. The most common symptoms in each phase were backache (71.1%) in the pre-menstrual phase and fatigue (90.3%) in the intra-menstrual phase. Menstruation-related symptoms were associated with stress. These results contribute significantly to our understanding of menstrual health among Vietnamese university students. These findings imply the need to strengthen support systems for university students, especially by providing proper information about menstruation and managing stress. Full article

Background: Migraine is a common health condition in both men and women. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects many women during their menstrual cycle, with around 50–60% of women with migraine attacks experiencing menstrual headaches. Most have mild symptoms, but 5–8% suffer from moderate to severe symptoms, causing distress and functional issues. Pure menstrual migraine (PMM) occurs in about 50% of women with migraine, and it can be debilitating in terms of frequency and severity. This information is crucial for Saudi Arabian medical professionals to provide better care and support, improving the quality of life for women with PMS and menstrual migraine (MM) attacks. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of MM in women, to evaluate the severity and frequency of MM in women with PMS, and to identify potential risk factors aggravating MM in women with PMS in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted on reproductive-aged (18–50 years) women who had regular menstrual cycles and were diagnosed with PMS, using a self-administered questionnaire between December 2022 to May 2023 in Saudi Arabia. Results: Out of the 2130 female participants, 397 (18.6%) had migraine. Among these 397 migraine sufferers, 230 (57.9%) experienced MM, while 167 (42.1%) had non-MM. In reproductive women in general, MM occurred in 10.7% of cases, while non-MM was observed in 7.8%. There is a correlation between increasing BMI and an increased incidence of MM. About one-third of the participants experienced moderate disability due to migraine attacks, with 134 (33.8%) individuals affected. Additionally, most MM sufferers missed at least 3 days of work in the last 3 months due to their condition. Conclusions: Migraine attacks occurring during the menstrual cycle impair the ability to engage in social, physical, household, and academic activities, often hindering the fulfillment of professional commitments. To gain a deeper understanding of menstrual and non-menstrual migraine attacks, it is essential to conduct extensive prospective studies aimed at developing effective management strategies. Full article

Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2809 has been shown to ameliorate stress. This study employed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group design to assess the efficacy of continuous ingestion of OLL2809 for managing menstrual symptoms in healthy women. Eighty healthy adult women aged 25–40 years who experienced premenstrual and menstrual symptoms were randomly assigned to either the OLL2809 or placebo group (n = 40 each) and ingested tablets containing OLL2809 or placebo for three menstrual cycles. The OLL2809 group exhibited a significantly greater change in premenstrual ‘arousal’ scores on the menstrual distress questionnaire compared to the placebo group after the three menstrual cycles. Specifically, changes in the ‘activity’ subfactor were significantly higher in the OLL2809 group than in the placebo group. Additionally, the OLL2809 group reported significantly lower premenstrual irritability on the visual analog scale than the placebo group. These results suggest that OLL2809 may contribute to enhancing the quality of life of women. Full article

Menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms can significantly impact an individual’s physical and psychological health. Understanding how these symptoms evolve over time is crucial to provide appropriate support and healthcare services to young women. This study aimed to investigate changes in menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms among first-year female university students. A prospective longitudinal design was used to compare the symptom profiles between two time points (three and nine months after admission). Out of 100 female university students, 30 responses were analyzed. Data on menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms were collected using standardized questionnaires focusing on menstrual status and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ); no notable changes occurred between the time points. Approximately half reported having irregular menstruation during the three time periods. Among the sub-scales, premenstrual “impaired concentration” showed a tendency to be lower, whereas menstrual “water retention” tended to be higher in timepoint 2 compared to timepoint 1. “Distractible” was found to be significantly lower in timepoint 2 compared to timepoint 1. There was a significant association between a sleep duration of <7 h and worsened MDQ scores. These findings may underscore the importance of providing comprehensive lifestyle and menstrual education to new university students, along with access to appropriate medical care. Full article

The number of Japan’s international students has rapidly increased in the last decade. This study examines the relationship between menstrual abnormalities in cycle and symptoms, stress level, and lifestyle of female international students in Japan across three time periods, namely pre-arrival, difficult, and current time periods. A cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, including the menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ), between December 2022 and February 2023. The questionnaire was distributed to 56 female international students from two universities in Japan, and a total of 29 valid responses were collected. We found varying menstrual cycle abnormalities and severity of menstrual symptoms across three time periods, with the difficult period after arrival in Japan displaying the highest symptom severity. Higher stress levels were significantly associated with more severe menstrual symptoms. Lifestyle habits such as alcohol consumption were also linked to menstrual symptoms. The current study emphasizes the importance of providing menstrual education, support, and resources to address international students’ unique challenges in managing their menstrual health while studying abroad. By promoting awareness, education, and access to healthcare services, universities may contribute to international students’ well-being and academic success. Full article

Mothers and family members of young female students play important roles for guiding their self-care strategies for menstruation-related symptoms; which often affect their daily life and academic life. The aim of this study is to clarify the differences in menstruation-related symptoms before and during menstruation in university students living alone and university students living with their family in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey to assess menstruation-related symptoms before and during menstruation using the menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ). Among 135 students; the proportion of students living alone was 60.7% and the proportion of students living with their family was 39.3%. Before menstruation; the MDQ total score and the scores for negative affect and behavior change were significantly higher in students living alone than in students living with their family. During menstruation; scores for negative affect and impaired concentration were also significantly higher in students living alone. In addition; before menstruation; scores for an increase in appetite and craving for sweets were significantly higher in students living alone. Thus; living alone affected the psychological aspects of menstruation-related symptoms in young women. The results suggest that university students who live alone should be aware of the importance of talking about their menstruation problems with family members and seeking their advice Full article

Yoga classes designed for women with premenstrual syndrome are available, but their efficacy is unclear. We investigated the effects of 12 weeks’ yoga exercise (yoga intervention) on premenstrual symptoms in menstruating females in Taiwan. Sixty-four subjects completed the yoga intervention, and before and after the intervention filled out a structured self-report questionnaire about their demographics, personal lifestyle, menstrual status, baseline menstrual pain scores, premenstrual symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Of 64 subjects, 90.6% reported experiencing menstrual pain during menstruation. After the yoga intervention, subjects reported decreased use of analgesics during menstruation (p = 0.0290) and decreased moderate or severe effects of menstrual pain on work (p = 0.0011). The yoga exercise intervention was associated with the improvement of the scale of physical function (p = 0.0340) and bodily pain (p = 0.0087) of the SF-36, and significantly decreased abdominal swelling (p = 0.0011), breast tenderness (p = 0.0348), abdominal cramps (p = 0.0016), and cold sweats (p = 0.0143). Menstrual pain mitigation after yoga exercise correlated with improvement in six scales of the SF-36 (physical function, bodily pain, general health perception, vitality/energy, social function, mental health). Employers can educate female employees about the benefits of regular exercise such as yoga, which may decrease premenstrual distress and improve female employee health. Full article

Dysmenorrhea is a highly prevalent complaint and highly undiagnosed gynecologic condition. Dairy products have a potential in the management of menstrual distress, and bovine lactoferrin can help the subjective dysphoria associated with dysmenorrhea. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a lactoferrin formulation isolated from cow’s milk on menstrual symptoms in volunteers. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study of the iron-lactoferrin complex (FeLf) was performed in thirty-five healthy Japanese women. Participants received the 150 mg FeLf (per day) or placebo from day ten of the luteal phase to day four of the follicular phase. The Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was measured for menstrual distress, and heart rate variability was measured as an index of autonomic nerve balance during menses. A visual analog scale for menstrual pain, and a verbal rating scale for quality of life during the first three days of menstruation were measured. The MDQ score for the automatic nervous system subscale was lower and the parasympathetic nervous system activity was greater in FeLf than in placebo for intention-to-treat or per-protocol populations. The other variables were not different between the groups. No treatment-related side effects were observed during the study. The results indicate that FeLf can provide a beneficial effect on the psychological symptoms in women affected by menstrual distress. Full article