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Menstrual matters Flashcards

(51 cards)

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1
Q

Menstrual cycle

A

The monthly series of changes a woman’s body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy

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2
Q

Period/menses/menstruation

A

The day bleeding occurs

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3
Q

Menarche

A

An individual’s first menses

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4
Q

Perimenopause

A

The time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause

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5
Q

Menopause

A

When a female stops having periods, marked 12 months since their last period ended

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6
Q

Four key phases of the menstrual cycle

A

Menses
Follicular phase
Luteal phase
Premenstrual

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7
Q

Follicular phase

A

Menses (1-7)
Follicular (8-14)
After the period has finished but before ovulation

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8
Q

Ovulation

A

24-48 hour period where the egg is released

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9
Q

Luteal phase

A

Luteal (15-21)
Premenstrual (22-28)
Post-ovulation through to the premenstrual phase

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10
Q

What happens to the hormones before ovulation

A

FSH and LH peak before ovulation to let the body know its time to release the egg

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11
Q

What happens to hormones in the luteal phase

A

Progesterone peaks - Maintains the lining of the uterus during the latter part of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy.

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12
Q

What is the global average age of menarche

A

13

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13
Q

What factors effect when menarche is experienced

A

Bodyweight, wealth, nutrition, health, life experiences

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14
Q

Western education on menarche

A

Menstrual education is part of the curriculum, but only came into place in 2020
Ensure good practice - avoid segregating by gender and addresses stigma

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15
Q

Eastern education on menarche

A

Issue is not how to educate people but instead the fact that people are missing education as a result of menarche - pain, shame, poverty

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16
Q

Vashisht et al., 2018

Study in India

A

Study in India showed that 40% of girls remained absent from school during their menstruation

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17
Q

Chandra-Mouli & Patel, 2020

LMIC

A

Review looking at knowledge of menarche in LMIC:

Girls had limited knowledge and understanding of menstruation prior to reaching menarche

82% girls saw it as a curse

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18
Q

Who was the most frequently cited source of info and advice for girls regarding menstruation in LMIC

A

Mothers

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19
Q

Burrows & Johnson 2005

Menarche in a school context

A

Menarche and menstruation are largely constructed as embarrassing, shameful and something to be hidden, especially within the school context

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20
Q

Teitelman 2004

Preparedness

A

Girls who are prepared for the physical changes at menarche are able to acknowledge and accept the bodily changes. Also more likely to describe pleasurable aspects association with this transition

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21
Q

Transgender menarche

Study These Flashcards
A

Transgender males and gender non-binary adolescents are distressed by their periods and menarche can also lead to increased gender dysphoria in transgender males

22
Q

Physical symptoms of menses

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A

Bloating and breast tenderness - caused by progesterone and oestrogen

Menstrual cramps - prostaglandins trigger uterine contractions

23
Q

Psychological symptoms of menses

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A

Low mood and/or mood swings - due to rapid changes in hormone levels

Insomnia - drops in progesterone

Poor concentration

Food cravings

24
Q

Who introduced the Menstrual Reactivity Hypothesis

Study These Flashcards
A

Sigmon et al., 1997

25
What is the menstrual reactivity hypothesis
Individual interpretations of the bodily changes in menses could be influenced by cultural and bodily expectations as well as actual experiences Suggests that some women experience more severe menstrual symptoms due to their heightened sensitivity to anxiety, rather than solely due to the physiological effects of the menstrual cycle.
26
Interaction between period poverty and mental health
A study showed that those who experienced period poverty were at higher risk of moderate/severe depression
27
Mood in the follicular and ovulation
Positive moods - hormones levels rise
28
Mood in the luteal phase
Positive moods continue increasingly initiate sex - view partners investment to be lower
29
Premenstrual phase and mood | Study
Pierson and colleagues (2021): analysed app data from across countries and found that premenstrual decrease in happiness is consistent across countries - not culture specific
30
PMDD
Very severe form of PMS - symptoms experiences more severely and for a couple weeks Childhood trauma linked to PMDD
31
Positives of hormonal contraception
Women who use HC have lower levels cases of absenteeism related with menstruation, compared with those who did not use HC. There is no clear association between HCs and depression They may promote improved mental health in particular psychiatric disorders such as PMDD.
32
Negatives of hormonal contraception
There are subgroups of women that may be more vulnerable to hormonal changes which must be taken into consideration at the time of prescription. e.g. history of blood clots Some individuals appear susceptible to negative mood effects from some types of HC.
33
Primary amenorrhea
The failure to establish menstruation by 15 years of age in girls with normal secondary sexual characteristics, or by 13 years of age in girls with no secondary sexual characteristics.
34
Iwami et al 2021 - primary amenorrhea - interview themes
Psychological impacts e.g. doubt about gender identity, loneliness, confusion This then moved to living at peace with one's body and liberation from a sense of alien existence
35
Secondary amenorrhea
When periods reduce (missing period/s) or stop altogether. Caused by: Stress Sudden weight loss or overweight Too much excerise PCOS
36
Also known as “heavy periods”. Diagnosed when menstrual blood loss is excessive and accompanied by a negative impact on a woman’s quality of life.
Menorrhagia
37
What is menorrhagia thought to be caused by
Conditions affecting your womb, ovaries or hormones, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Some medicines and treatments, including some anticoagulant medicines and chemotherapy medicines. Stress and depression.
38
Prevalence of Menorrhagia
1/3 of women aged 15-49 But no underlying anatomical cause is found in 40–60% of patients Under recognised and under treated
39
Endometriosis
A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
40
Rowe et al (2019) - endometriosis | Endometriosis interview
Endometriosis can have debilitating consequences. Healthcare providers may dismiss symptoms, lack essential knowledge and provide inconsistent advice. Treatments are seldom successful or without adverse side-effects. Health professionals acknowledged limitations in expertise, persistent myths, and challenges in achieving best practice.
41
Symptoms of perimenopause
Irregular periods. Hot flashes. Sleep problems. Mood changes. Vaginal and bladder problems. Changes in sexual function.
42
Suss & Elhert 2020 - perimenopause
Examined psychological adjustment during perimenopause. Higher resilience supports a healthier psychological and physical transition through perimenopause.
43
Perimenopause and relationships
Can affect spousal relationships, depending on symptoms. More symptoms led to lower sexual desire and higher resentment Education related to perimenopause may provide a better understanding to women and their partner should be included in this education, as many men do not understand the changes associated with perimenopause and menopause.
44
What are the tow key stages within menstrual development
Menarche and menopause
45
Menstrual research
Menstrual research is relatively new and such unexplored but is important for our understanding of experiences over the life course.
46
What effect can perimenopause have on life experiences
Multifactorial because it involves a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors: Hormone fluctuations - drop in oestrogen - impact physical health, sleep, energy levels, and can contribute to symptoms like hot flashes, weight changes, and fatigue. Depressive symptoms due to hormone changes and life-stage stressors Societal attitudes toward aging and menopause can all affect how women experience and cope with this phase. Individual Differences in Resilience and Coping
47
Biological effects of menarche
Hormonal changes: Physical symptoms include: Bloating and breast tenderness caused by progesterone and oestrogen Psychological symptoms include: Low mood and/or mood swings (rapid changes in hormone levels). Health implications: Early or late menarche is associated with risks like menstrual disorders, mood disturbances, and long-term health outcomes (e.g., breast cancer or cardiovascular risks).
48
Psychological effects of menarche
PMDD - but this can be influenced by childhood trauma Menstrual Reactivity Hypothesis (Simon et al 1997) Emotional responses: It can trigger feelings of pride, anxiety, confusion, or shame depending on personal and cultural framing.
49
Social effects on menarche
Cultural meaning: In many cultures, menarche signifies the transition to womanhood, often surrounded by rituals, taboos, or social expectations. Support and education: The experience can be shaped by the availability of menstrual education, parental communication, peer influence, and school policies
50
What is the best treatment for endometriosis
Enhancing collaborative care skills, individualized treatment plans, and local referral pathways to multi-disciplinary care may improve satisfaction with endometriosis care-giving and receiving.
51
What is the best way to challenge menstrual stigma
Education and open conversation

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