Exploring menstrual symptom frequency and impact on people with neurodevelopmental conditions.

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

Disability and Health Journal Pub Date : 2025-06-11 DOI:10.1016/j.dhjo.2025.101914

Laura St John, Emma Osness, Anmol Panech, Yona Lunsky, Patricia K Doyle Baker

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Menstruation can be a physically, mentally and emotionally challenging time, especially for individuals who have neurodevelopmental disabilities. Sensory impairments, emotional dysregulation and challenges communicating pain can make managing menstruation challenging for this population.

Objective: To describe common symptoms and the effect of symptoms on those with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Methods: A mixed methods study design was employed. Qualitative data regarding symptom experience were collected through a semi-structured interview, while quantitative data were collected using the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire.

Results: Participants described debilitating cramping which often impacted activities of daily living. Participants also discussed challenges with emotional dysregulation, with many experiencing extreme moods swings and/or depressive episodes during menstruation.

Conclusion: For the participants in this study, their periods were physically and emotionally taxing and had significant impacts on their day to day lives. Future research is needed to explore why those with neurodevelopmental disabilities may be experiencing such extreme menstrual symptoms.

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探索月经症状频率及其对神经发育疾病患者的影响。

背景：月经对身体、精神和情感都是一种挑战，尤其是对神经发育障碍的人来说。感觉障碍，情绪失调和沟通疼痛的挑战可以使管理月经对这一人群具有挑战性。目的：描述神经发育障碍患者的常见症状及其影响。方法：采用混合方法设计研究。通过半结构化访谈收集症状体验的定性数据，使用月经症状问卷收集定量数据。结果：参与者描述了经常影响日常生活活动的使人衰弱的痉挛。与会者还讨论了情绪失调的挑战，许多人在月经期间经历了极端的情绪波动和/或抑郁发作。结论：对于这项研究的参与者来说，月经对他们的身体和情感都是一种负担，对他们的日常生活产生了重大影响。未来的研究需要探索为什么神经发育障碍患者可能会经历如此极端的月经症状。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Disability and Health Journal HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES-PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

6.70%

发文量

134

审稿时长

34 days

期刊介绍： Disability and Health Journal is a scientific, scholarly, and multidisciplinary journal for reporting original contributions that advance knowledge in disability and health. Topics may be related to global health, quality of life, and specific health conditions as they relate to disability. Such contributions include: • Reports of empirical research on the characteristics of persons with disabilities, environment, health outcomes, and determinants of health • Reports of empirical research on the Systematic or other evidence-based reviews and tightly conceived theoretical interpretations of research literature • Reports of empirical research on the Evaluative research on new interventions, technologies, and programs • Reports of empirical research on the Reports on issues or policies affecting the health and/or quality of life for persons with disabilities, using a scientific base.