Women's health (London, England)最新文献

{"title":"Living in an unresolved trauma system: Women's experiences of infertility-related distress through an adaptive information processing lens.","authors":"Patricia L Jackson, Peter Saunders, Simone Mizzi, Karen Tracey Hallam","doi":"10.1177/17455057261490949","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261490949","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundInfertility-related distress is associated with elevated rates of anxiety, depression, grief, and identity disruption. While existing frameworks often conceptualise infertility distress through stress and coping paradigms, these approaches may not fully explain the cumulative and reactivating experience of infertility distress. Trauma-informed perspectives, including the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, may offer an alternative framework for understanding infertility-related distress.ObjectivesTo explore how women experiencing infertility describe and make meaning of their experiences, and whether their narratives reflect processes consistent with trauma-informed and AIP frameworks.DesignQualitative study embedded within a randomised controlled trial of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for infertility-related distress, using baseline pre-intervention session transcripts.MethodsEighteen women experiencing infertility-related distress participated in an initial EMDR assessment and case conceptualisation session. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis within an experiential and contextualist framework informed by trauma-informed perspectives and the AIP model.ResultsFive interconnected themes were identified: (1) The Burden of Responsibility, (2) Defectiveness and Diminished Worth, (3) Loss of Autonomy and Suspended Futures, (4) Threat, Vulnerability and Mistrust, and (5) Isolation and Disconnection. Participants described infertility as a cumulative, unresolved experience, often characterised by shame, self-blame, uncertainty, diminished agency, loss of trust, and relational disconnection. Infertility generated distress and reactivated broader beliefs about responsibility, worth, safety, control, and belonging. Interpreted through the AIP model, these findings suggest distress may be maintained by the repeated activation of inadequately processed experiences organised around of shame, helplessness, threat, and loss.ConclusionFindings suggest that infertility may be experienced as both a traumatising and a re-traumatising process that disrupts identity, agency, safety, and belonging. A trauma-informed framework informed by the AIP model may provide a useful lens for understanding the enduring psychological impact of infertility and informing interventions that address unresolved experiences underlying infertility-related distress.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261490949"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149013440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"Intimate partner violence against women: Psychopathological consequences for mother and child survivors\".","authors":"Natalia Bueso-Izquierdo, Mónica Ferrera-Silva, Carlos Barbosa-Torres, Juan Manuel Moreno-Manso","doi":"10.1177/17455057261470739","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261470739","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Backgroundthis study analyses psychopathological symptomatology and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in victims of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) and examines the presence of school, behavioural and emotional problems in their children.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to (1) analyse psychopathological symptomatology and PTSD in women survivors of IPVAW, in comparison to women unexposed; (2) analyse the connection between the experience of this type of violence and the presence of psychopathological symptomatology and PTSD; (3) examine the presence of school, behavioural and emotional problems in the children of women survivors of IPVAW compared to the children of unexposed women; and to (4) examine the relationship between psychopathological symptomatology in women survivors of IPVAW and the presence of school, behavioural and emotional problems in their children.DesignA cross-sectional comparative study. Participants were recruited through Women's Care Institutions (experimental group) and schools (control group).MethodThe sample included 29 women survivors of IPVAW and 30 non-exposed women, along with their respective children (n = 60). Maternal psychopathology was assessed with the SCL-90-R and ITQ; violence exposure with the CAS-R-SF; and children's behavioural, emotional and school outcomes with the BASC-3.ResultsWomen survivors of IPVAW and their children present significantly more psychopathological symptoms compared to women and children unexposed to this violence. Furthermore, a relationship was found between the symptomatology in mothers and school, behavioural and emotional problems of their children.ConclusionIPVAW has a broad psychopathological impact on both survivors and their children. This study shows the importance of specifically working on psychological intervention with both.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261470739"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recurrent vulvar tumor consistent with myxoid dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a resource-limited setting: A case report from Somalia.","authors":"Rayaan Abdirahman Hassan, Widad Mohamed Hassan, Fahmo Hussein Ibrahim, Abdullahi Hassan Elmi, Mariam Mohamed Mohamud, Kadra Hassan Mohamud, Rahmo Mohamed Ali","doi":"10.1177/17455057261495626","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261495626","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon, locally aggressive soft tissue tumor, and its occurrence in the vulva is exceptionally rare. We describe the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with a recurrent vulvar mass one year after excision of a lesion previously diagnosed as aggressive angiomyxoma. Histopathological examination of the recurrent lesion demonstrated spindle cell proliferation within a myxoid stroma, focal storiform architecture, and honeycomb infiltration of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, findings that were morphologically consistent with myxoid dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Because immunohistochemical and molecular testing were unavailable, definitive pathological confirmation could not be established. The patient underwent wide local excision followed by reconstruction with a split-thickness skin graft. Histopathological examination demonstrated involvement of the deep surgical margin. After multidisciplinary discussion, adjuvant imatinib (400 mg once daily) was initiated for 12 months because additional surgery was considered likely to result in significant anatomical and functional morbidity. No evidence of local recurrence was observed during 12 months of follow-up. This case highlights the diagnostic uncertainty and treatment challenges associated with rare vulvar mesenchymal tumors in resource-limited settings and underscores the importance of clinicopathologic correlation, individualized multidisciplinary management, and long-term clinical follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261495626"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149139664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustained clinical benefits of menopausal hormone therapy for symptomatic hand osteoarthritis: A 12-month follow-up study in perimenopausal women.","authors":"Hiromi Sasaki, Mika Sakihama, Hiroyuki Tominaga, Shinichi Togami, Noboru Taniguchi","doi":"10.1177/17455057261496397","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261496397","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundSymptomatic hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is prevalent among perimenopausal women and may be associated with estrogen deficiency. Although menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has shown short-term benefits, its long-term efficacy remains unclear.ObjectiveTo evaluate 12-month outcomes in perimenopausal women with symptomatic HOA.DesignRetrospective single-arm observational study.MethodsThis retrospective observational study at the Menopause and Hand Clinic, Kagoshima University Hospital, included 45 women with symptomatic HOA who initiated MHT between April 2019 and December 2022 and completed 12 months of follow-up. Diagnosis was based on the EULAR recommendations. MHT was prescribed according to uterine status. No additional orthopedic treatments were administered. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), visual analog scale (VAS), and grip strength were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) were predefined.ResultsOf 54 patients who initiated MHT, 45 (83.3%) completed 12-month follow-up. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significant main effect of time on DASH and VAS scores (p < 0.001). DASH score improved by -8.8 points (95% CI, -13.2 to -5.0), which did not reach the MCID, whereas VAS score decreased by -28.4 mm (95% CI, -35.0 to -21.2), exceeding the MCID. Grip strength significantly increased in both hands (both p < 0.001). Improvements were greatest at 3 months and were maintained at 12 months. No serious adverse events occurred, and no patient discontinued MHT.ConclusionsIn this retrospective single-arm study, improvements in hand pain, upper-extremity function, and grip strength following MHT initiation were maintained over 12 months in perimenopausal women with symptomatic HOA. Clinically meaningful improvement was observed for hand pain, but not upper-extremity function. Further prospective studies are warranted to establish causality and determine the long-term effectiveness of MHT.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261496397"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149129441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The good, the bad, and the bloody: Describing women athletes' raw experiences of menstrual function and dysfunction in sport.","authors":"Margo E K Adam, Kacey C Neely, Marta C Erlandson","doi":"10.1177/17455057261492420","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261492420","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMenstruation remains a stigmatized experience as a result of women's compliance with social expectations that promote concealment and suppression. Due to the taboo, women athletes and researchers alike have not deeply explored and described women athletes' experiences of menstruation in sport beyond highly quantitative or medical approaches.ObjectivesTherefore, the purpose of this study was to describe women athletes' experiences and the essence of menstrual function and dysfunction in competitive sport.DesignAn Interpretive Descriptive qualitative study design was applied.Methods23 women athletes (<i>M</i>_age = 27.18) completed an in-depth conversational style survey that included Likert, yes/no, open-ended, probing, and storytelling style questions. The competitive athletes were participating in a range of individual-team and aesthetic-non-aesthetic sports.ResultsTwo themes were generated through reflective thematic analysis: (i) <i>The Good and the Bad</i> and (ii) <i>The Bloody</i>.ConclusionThe results of this research highlight that the experiences of women athletes are complex, situational, individual, and often concealed, underscoring the need for nuanced, athlete-centered approaches in sport science and policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261492420"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149225629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The relationship between psychological factors and pain in endometriosis.","authors":"R Favaloro, K T Hallam, P Saunders","doi":"10.1177/17455057261444146","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261444146","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis is a prevalent condition characterized by persistent pelvic pain, which leads to distress and reduced quality of life. Currently, there is limited research examining the psychological factors associated with the symptoms of endometriosis, including potential risks and protective factors. The fear-avoidance model was identified to be a potential model to describe how psychological factors may impact the pain-related symptoms of endometriosis, informing the role that hypervigilance, pain catastrophizing, and avoidance behaviors play in increasing pain and distress. Previous research exploring this model identified self-efficacy and functionality appreciation as potential factors in reducing pain and distress in individuals with endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The present study explores the fear-avoidance model's application to pain-related symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with endometriosis, and the interaction between these variables to better understand the psychological processes linked to increased pain and HRQoL in individuals with endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This study was cross-sectional observational design, with data collection and analysis conducted over the course of 6 months following ethics approval.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 332 participants (female = 94%, male = 2.7%, non-binary/third gender = 3.3%) aged between 18 and 57 (<i>M</i> = 31.14, SD = 7.93) completed an online questionnaire assessing self-efficacy, functionality satisfaction, pain hypervigilance, pain catastrophizing, sexual avoidance and functioning, pain avoidance and pain severity. Correlational analysis, multiple linear regression and moderation analysis were conducted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Functionality appreciation and self-efficacy were both associated with decreased pain and increased HRQoL. Hypervigilance functioned as an enhancing moderator for the relationship between sexual avoidance and pain, while pain catastrophizing acted as an enhancing moderator for the relationship between pain and HRQoL.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The overall findings of the present study revealed the expanded application of the fear-avoidance model, and its use in conceptualizing pain in endometriosis. This includes the role of functionality appreciation and self-efficacy as potential protective factors against increased pain in endometriosis. This study supports the development of interventions targeting hypervigilance, and pain catastrophizing as valuable strategies for pain management and improving HRQoL among individuals with endometriosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261444146"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13133433/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147791887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enduring displacement: The struggle for dignity, privacy, and survival among Gazan women.","authors":"Bilal Hamamra, Fayez Mahamid, Dana Bdier","doi":"10.1177/17455057261445723","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261445723","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundFollowing decades of siege and systemic violence, the recent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has further intensified the genocide, displacement, and severe shortages of basic necessities endured by Palestinians. Among the most affected are Gazan women, who have taken on multiple roles in the face of these hardships. The lack of essential resources and opportunities has significantly hindered their ability to provide for their children and families.ObjectivesThis study explores the impact of displacement on the lives of women in Gaza, focusing on the loss of privacy, dignity, and the daily struggle for survival in overcrowded shelters.DesignDrawing from in-depth testimonies of displaced women, the research highlights the physical, emotional, and psychological tolls caused by ongoing displacement due to the genocide in Gaza.MethodsThe study adopts a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews to gather personal narratives from women who have faced multiple displacements.ResultsKey themes include the erosion of personal autonomy, the challenges of securing basic necessities such as food and healthcare, and the psychological effects of living in unsafe and overcrowded conditions. The findings reveal the profound impact of displacement on women's roles as caregivers, as well as the resilience and solidarity they exhibit despite the overwhelming hardships.ConclusionThis research provides a critical insight into the dehumanizing consequences of displacement while showcasing the strength of Gaza's women in their fight for survival and dignity.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261445723"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13133431/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147791863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experiences of breast cancer survivors following Nipple-Areola complex tattooing: A qualitative study.","authors":"Deborah Maselli, Martina Torreggiani, Valeria Soffientini, Luca Ghirotto, Paola Ferri, Stefania Costi","doi":"10.1177/17455057261483480","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261483480","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundBody image issues in breast cancer recovery may extend into social and professional spheres, underlining the need for complementary interventions, like nipple-areola complex (NAC) tattooing.ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the experiences of women who have undergone NAC tattooing at the ARCADE clinic in Reggio Emilia (Italy), specifically regarding motivation/expectations; perceptions of the quality of the aesthetic result and the service provided; and emotions/sensations related to the treatment experience.DesignQualitative study.MethodsData were collected between January and May 2025 through semi-structured interviews and photo-elicitation at Local Health Authority - IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Women were selected using convenience sampling from a cohort of 62 patients who completed NAC tattooing between January 2023 and August 2024. A reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze data, through which subthemes and themes were identified.ResultsThe first theme, \"From the mirror to active life: a newfound identity,\" is expressed through three sub-themes. All the participants (N = 10) noted a shift towards a more normalized and less \"mutilated\" perception of their bodies (\"The relationship with self-body image\"). Through the concepts of femininity and body integrity, the sub-theme \"Recognizing yourself\" explores how NAC tattooing supports self-recognition. \"Social relationships\" presents how NAC tattooing eventually influences social and intimate interactions. The second theme, \"The picture of health and its role in coping,\" shows that NAC tattooing enabled patients to go beyond illness and loss, minimizing visual reminders and shifting the focus to a picture of health.ConclusionNAC tattooing facilitated a cognitive and emotional shift toward a renewed sense of self as a healthy, whole person. Although further studies are needed, preliminary findings suggest that the positive effect on body image may facilitate psychological recovery and social functioning in breast cancer patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261483480"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149186893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oxytocin selectively enhances the recognition of infant sadness in postpartum depression.","authors":"Merel van der Straaten, Peter Mulders, Roseriet Beijers, Indira Tendolkar, Maaike Cima, Madelon M E Riem","doi":"10.1177/17455057261499422","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261499422","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundLittle is known about the role of oxytocin in the processing of positive emotional infant cues in mothers with PPD.ObjectivesWe therefore examined whether intranasal oxytocin influences postpartum mothers' processing of positive infant emotional cues, both visual (facial expressions) and auditory (laughter), and intended caregiving responses.DesignThis double-blind randomized controlled crossover study included 45 mothers, with 3- to 9-month-old infants, who exhibited clinically relevant scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, with 35 mothers fulfilling the criteria of a major depressive episode assessed with the SCID-5.MethodsMothers participated in two randomized counterbalanced sessions, receiving oxytocin and placebo in separate sessions with a washout period in between. During both sessions they completed an infant facial emotion recognition (FER) task and listened to infant laughter while physiological and self-report measures were collected.ResultsWe found that oxytocin shifted response bias away from fear and toward sadness, while increasing accuracy for sad infant faces. This pattern suggests that oxytocin selectively reallocates attention from threat-related cues to those signaling infant need. Additionally, oxytocin elevated heart rate in response to infant laughter, indicating greater physiological engagement with positive cues, although self-reported affect and caregiving intentions were unaffected.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that oxytocin may fine-tune perceptual and physiological responsiveness to emotionally salient infant signals rather than uniformly enhancing positive emotion recognition. The adaptive implications of this shift remain mixed: enhanced sensitivity to sadness may facilitate caregiving, yet excessive focus on distress could increase negative affect in vulnerable mothers. Oxytocin's effects thus appear emotion-specific, potentially providing mechanistic insight into altered maternal perception in postpartum depression. Future work should examine real-world caregiving behaviors and individual moderators, such as depression severity and trauma history, to clarify oxytocin's potential therapeutic relevance. Registration: The study is registered at the European Clinical Trial Registry.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261499422"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149240768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding parents' experiences and needs when managing menstruation with young people with intellectual disability.","authors":"Emily Kearns, Lauren J Breen, Rachel Skoss, Aasta Abbott, Thom Nevill, Jenny Downs, Jessica Keeley","doi":"10.1177/17455057261465643","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261465643","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMenstruation can be complex and challenging to manage, including for those with intellectual disability. People with intellectual disability experience additional barriers that prevent adequate access to information and support. Parents play an important role in supporting young people with intellectual disability with menstruation.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore parental experiences and identify areas of complexity associated with menstruation for their young people with intellectual disability to guide the development of priority supports.DesignA qualitative interview study to deeply explore the rich experiences of parents.MethodsParents of young people with intellectual disability were interviewed about their experiences of supporting their child's menstruation, including their decision-making processes and information and management needs. Data were analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis with NVivo software.ResultsThe sample comprised 16 parents (all mothers) who discussed 17 young people with intellectual disability (10-25 years). Five themes were constructed: (1) Setting up for success (establishing positive menstruation attitudes), (2) Competing priorities (wellbeing, convenience, and inclusion prioritised over menstruation), (3) Support from multiple avenues (support from different people, professions, and organisations was important) (4) Protecting dignity and safety (concerns about sexual abuse, pregnancy, distress, socially unacceptable behaviours, and pain), and (5) There is more to be done (information and attitudes need to be improved).ConclusionsIt is important to understand the menstruation experiences and needs of parents of young people with intellectual disability because of management uncertainty and complexity. This study contributes to an under-researched field and can inform changes to better support families including much needed information and education.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261465643"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13333052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148388100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}