scholarly journals The COVID-19 pandemic and the menstrual cycle: research gaps and opportunities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Sharp ◽  
Gemma Sawyer ◽  
Gabriella Kountourides ◽  
Kayleigh Easey ◽  
Gemma Ford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Recall Bias ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Bias Selection

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, discussions on social media and blogs have indicated that women have experienced menstrual changes, including altered menstrual duration, frequency, regularity, and volume (heavier bleeding and clotting), increased dysmenorrhea, and worsened premenstrual syndrome. There have been a small number of scientific studies of variable quality reporting on menstrual cycle features during the pandemic, but it is still unclear whether apparent changes are due to COVID-19 infection/illness itself, or other pandemic-related factors like increased psychological stress and changes in health behaviours. It is also unclear to what degree current findings are explained by reporting bias, recall bias, selection bias and confounding factors. Further research is urgently needed. We provide a list of outstanding research questions and potential approaches to address them. Findings can inform policies to mitigate against gender inequalities in health and society, allowing us to build back better post-COVID.

Determine of the Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome and Related Factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 61-68
Author(s):  
Derya TANRIVERDI ◽  
Sibel ÖZTÜRK
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Aim: Premenstrual syndrome is the periodic recurrence of a group of psychological, behavioral and physical symptoms related to the menstrual cycle. These symptoms arise especially in the middle of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and disappear when menstruation starts. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in women in reproductive age between 15 and 49 years old, and to investigate the relationship between premenstrual syndrome and sociodemographic variables. Method: A cross-sectional design was employed. The study was carried out on 500 women. The face to face interview, sociodemographic data form and Premenstrual Syndrome Scale were applied to the women for data collection. As for data analysis, percentage tests, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were utilized. Results: PMS prevalence of women included in this study was found to be 47%. Premenstrual syndrome symptoms in order of severity are pain, bloating, fatigue, change in appetite, irritability, and anxiety. It was found that being in the age group between 15-46, being single, smoking, having dysmenorrhea, and familial premenstrual syndrome history have direct effect on PMS. Conclusion: It was observed that the prevalence of PMS in women is quite high. Greater importance should be attached to the issue and necessary precautions should be taken for risk groups in order to decrease PMS prevalence and improve women’s quality of life.

The Challenge of Evaluating Virtual Communities of Practice: A Systematic Mapping Study

10.28945/4505 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 039-064
Author(s):  
Rogerio Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Itana Maria de Souza Gimenes ◽  
José Carlos Maldonado
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Evaluation Methods ◽  
Systematic Mapping Study ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Systematic Mapping ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice ◽  
Selection Of

Aim/Purpose: This paper presents a study of Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP) evaluation methods that aims to identify their current status and impact on knowledge sharing. The purposes of the study are as follows: (i) to identify trends and research gaps in VCoP evaluation methods; and, (ii) to assist researchers to position new research activities in this domain. Background: VCoP have become a popular knowledge sharing mechanism for both individuals and organizations. Their evaluation process is complex; however, it is recognized as an essential means to provide evidences of community effectiveness. Moreover, VCoP have introduced additional features to face to face Communities of Practice (CoP) that need to be taken into account in evaluation processes, such as geographical dispersion. The fact that VCoP rely on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to execute their practices as well as storing artifacts virtually makes more consistent data analysis possible; thus, the evaluation process can apply automatic data gathering and analysis. Methodology: A systematic mapping study, based on five research questions, was carried out in order to analyze existing studies about VCoP evaluation methods and frameworks. The mapping included searching five research databases resulting in the selection of 1,417 papers over which a formal analysis process was applied. This process led to the preliminary selection of 39 primary studies for complete reading. After reading them, we select 28 relevant primary studies from which data was extracted and synthesized to answer the proposed research questions. Contribution: The authors of the primary studies analyzed along this systematic mapping propose a set of methods and strategies for evaluating VCoP, such as frameworks, processes and maturity models. Our main contribution is the identification of some research gaps present in the body of studies, in order to stimulate projects that can improve VCoP evaluation methods and support its important role in social learning. Findings: The systematic mapping led to the conclusion that most of the approaches for VCoP evaluation do not consider the combination of data structured and unstructured metrics. In addition, there is a lack of guidelines to support community operators’ actions based on evaluation metrics.

Physiology of the Menstrual Cycle

Cephalalgia ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
S D Silberstein ◽  
G R Merriam
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Normal Female ◽  
Receptor Density ◽  
Cns Neurons

The normal female life cycle is associated with a number of hormonal milestones: menarche, pregnancy, contraceptive use, menopause, and the use of replacement sex hormones. All these events and interventions alter the levels and cycling of sex hormones and may cause a change in the prevalence or intensity of headache. The menstrual cycle is the result of a carefully orchestrated sequence of interactions among the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, and endometrium, with the sex hormones acting as modulators and effectors at each level. Oestrogen and progestins have potent effects on central serotonergic and opioid neurons, modulating both neuronal activity and receptor density. The primary trigger of menstrual migraine appears to be the withdrawal of oestrogen rather than the maintenance of sustained high or low oestrogen levels. However, changes in the sustained oestrogen levels with pregnancy (increased) and menopause (decreased) appear to affect headaches. Headaches that occur with premenstrual syndrome appear to be centrally generated, involving the inherent rhythm of CNS neurons, including perhaps the serotonergic pain-modulating systems.

Drugs for the premenstrual syndrome

1965 ◽  
Vol 3 (20) ◽  
pp. 77-79
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Menstrual Flow ◽  
Separate Condition

The premenstrual syndrome includes a variety of symptoms, which regularly recur at the same phase of each menstrual cycle, commonly during the premenstruum and early during menstruation.1 2 The onset of full menstrual flow usually brings complete and dramatic relief. Irritability, tension, depression, lethargy, careless behaviour, and feeling bloated are common. Other symptoms occur less often, for example headache, migraine, backache and other muscle and joint pains, asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, and epilepsy.1 The symptoms may continue cyclically after the menopause. Dysmenorrhoea is not associated with the premenstrual syndrome: it appears to be a quite separate condition.

Consumer confusion: a systematic review and research directions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishakha Chauhan ◽  
Mahim Sagar
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Important Research ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Literature ◽  
Consumer Confusion ◽  
Research Questions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to systematically review and analyse extant marketing literature on consumer confusion to propose an integrated conceptual framework and highlight important research gaps. Design/methodology/approach Systematic literature review methodology was followed for article selection. Selected articles were subjected to content analysis to derive thematic as well as descriptive results. Findings Antecedents, consequences, moderators, mediators and application of the construct in the different contexts have been reported. An integrated framework along with research questions and future directions has also been proposed. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is notably the first attempt to systematically review the marketing literature on consumer confusion. The conceptual framework and proposed research questions create a research agenda around the problem of consumer confusion and contribute towards the advancement of extant literature.

Gone Global: The International Diffusion of Hedge Fund Activism

2021 ◽  
pp. 317-367
Author(s):  
Ruth V. Aguilera ◽  
Ryan Federo ◽  
Yuliya Ponomareva
Keyword(s):  
Hedge Fund ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Global Context ◽  
International Diffusion ◽  
Target Firms ◽  
The Us ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Country Differences ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Hedge Fund Activism

After decades of being primarily a US-based phenomenon, the globalization of hedge fund (HF) activism is increasing at an unprecedented speed. This chapter reviews the empirical research on HF activism by systematically comparing studies conducted in the US and outside the US context. The nascent body of work on HF activism is categorized and discussed within four research sub-streams: the antecedents of HF activism; HF activists’ tactics; the responses of target firms to HF activist campaigns, and the outcomes of the latter for HF activists, target firms, and other stakeholders. Six select cases of interventions by a prominent HF activist illustrate the cross-country differences in hedge fund activist practices outlined in the literature review. The chapter concludes by outlining current research gaps and formulating research questions that could advance our knowledge on hedge fund activism in a global context.

Trends in Research Related to Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: a Bibliometric Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingzhou Gao ◽  
Hui SUN ◽  
Changlong ZHANG ◽  
Dongmei GAO ◽  
Mingqi QIAO
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ◽  
The United States ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Publication Number ◽  
Research Hotspots

Abstract Background The global incidence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is increasing, with increasing suicide reports. However, the bibliometric analysis of global research on PMS and PMDD is rare. We aimed to evaluate the global scientific output of research on PMS and PMDD and to explore their research hotspots and frontiers from 1945 to 2018 using a bibliometric analysis methodology.Methods Articles with research on PMS and PMDD between 1945 and 2018 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). We used the bibliometric method, CiteSpace V and VOSviewer to analyze publication years, journals, countries, institutions, authors, research hotspots, and trends. We plotted the reference co-citation network, and we used keywords to analyze the research hot spots and trends.Results We identified 2,833 publications on PMS and PMDD research from 1945 to 2018, and the annual publication number increased with time, with fluctuations. Psychoneuroendocrinology published the highest number of articles. The United States ranked the highest among the countries with the most publications, and the leading institute was UNIV PENN. Keyword and reference analysis indicated that the menstrual cycle, depression and ovarian hormones were the research hotspots, whereas prevalence, systematic review, anxiety and depression and young women were the research frontiers.Conclusions We depicted overall research on PMS and PMDD by a bibliometric analysis methodology. Prevalence and impact in young women , systematic review evaluations of risk factors, and the association of anxiety and depression with menstrual cycle phases are the latest research frontiers that will pioneer the direction of research in the next few years.

Gender Inequalities in Japan

2020 ◽  
pp. 39-52
Author(s):  
Kaori Honjo
Keyword(s):  
Japanese Society ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Division Of Labour ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Role Identities ◽  
Male Breadwinner ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Post War

Striking gender inequalities in Japanese society are rooted in beliefs about gender division of labour. Gender-based social norms have driven employment and working practices such as long working hours. The male breadwinner model has only recently started to give way to more diverse role identities. Despite persistent gender inequalities, Japanese women have the longest life expectancy in the world. This paradoxical relationship can be explained by 1) overall women’s positive health behaviours, 2) Japan’s post-war social security programmes, protecting the vast majority of full-time homemakers, and 3) women’s roles in the household and the relation with their psychological wellbeing. The rigidity in current social programmes has failed to meet the needs of increasingly diverse Japanese society, which has contributed to rising female poverty and associated health problems.

scholarly journals Negative Mood Is Associated with Diet and Dietary Antioxidants in University Students During the Menstrual Cycle: A Cross-Sectional Study from Guangzhou, China

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Lingling Bu ◽  
Yuting Lai ◽  
Yingyan Deng ◽  
Chenlu Xiong ◽  
Fengying Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
University Students ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Menstrual Phase ◽  
Carbonated Beverage ◽  
The Relationship

Postpubescent females may have negative mood or premenstrual syndrome during the menstrual cycle; with the emotional and physical symptoms interfering with their quality of life. Little is known about the relationship of dietary behaviors and dietary antioxidant intake with negative mood or premenstrual syndrome in university students in China; so we explored the relationship between negative mood and dietary behavior in female university students during the three menstrual cycle phases. Random sampling was used to enroll 88 individuals from a university in Guangzhou; China in the study. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. During the menstrual phase, tea, black coffee and carbonated beverage intake was higher in the group with a high negative affect scale score than in the low score group (p < 0.05). Likewise; during the premenstrual phase, fresh fruit (banana and red Chinese dates) intake was higher in the group with a high negative affect scale score than in the low-score group (p < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis results showed that negative mood was positively associated with tea, coffee, and carbonated beverage intake during the menstrual phase (β = 0.21, p = 0.0453, odds ratio = 1.23), and negative mood was positively associated with banana and red Chinese dates intake during the premenstrual phase (β = 0.59, p = 0.0172, odds ratio = 1.81). Our results suggest that negative mood may be associated with diet and specific food in university postpubescent females.

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