Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study
IntroductionMenstruation-related symptoms (MRSs) significantly impact women's health and contribute to economic burdens worldwide. Current interventions, primarily pharmacological ones, have limitations and side effects that underscore the need for alternative management strategies. This study...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-12-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Global Women's Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1260645/full |
| _version_ | 1827578437462654976 |
|---|---|
| author | Hazuki Masuda Shima Okada |
| author_facet | Hazuki Masuda Shima Okada |
| author_sort | Hazuki Masuda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionMenstruation-related symptoms (MRSs) significantly impact women's health and contribute to economic burdens worldwide. Current interventions, primarily pharmacological ones, have limitations and side effects that underscore the need for alternative management strategies. This study explores the association between MRSs and lifestyle factors, specifically physical activity and sleep timing across menstrual cycle phases, to inform non-pharmacological intervention development.MethodsFourteen female students from Ritsumeikan University, Japan, with regular menstrual cycles (25–38 days), not on hormonal treatment or engaged in shift work, participated in this observational study. Using a Fitbit Inspire 2, total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and sleep timing were monitored over a complete cycle. Menstrual cycle phases were defined based on ovulation day, predicted using home luteinizing hormone tests. Participants completed daily electronic questionnaires rating MRSs using a modified menstrual distress questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model with a gamma distribution and logarithmic link function, examining the relationship of TDEE and the midpoint of sleep time (MS time) with MRS severity.Results and discussionThe following observations were noted: first, MRS severity, except for behavioral change symptoms, significantly increased during the menstrual and luteal phases compared to the follicular phase. Second, delayed MS time was associated with reduced pain, concentration symptoms, water retention, and negative affect during the menstrual phase and reduced negative affect during the luteal phase. Finally, an increase in TDEE was associated with reduced concentration symptoms, autonomic reaction symptoms, and negative affect during the menstrual and luteal phases and reduced water retention only during the luteal phase. This study provides insights into the relationship between MRSs and TDEE/MS time, suggesting potential non-therapeutic approaches for symptom management, though further research is needed to substantiate these findings for practical applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T21:46:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e54af08485624ec8baa121e1f4fb1d01 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-5059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T21:46:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Global Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-e54af08485624ec8baa121e1f4fb1d012023-12-20T09:05:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Global Women's Health2673-50592023-12-01410.3389/fgwh.2023.12606451260645Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot studyHazuki Masuda0Shima Okada1Biophysical Engineering Lab, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, JapanBiophysical Engineering Lab, Department of Robotics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, JapanIntroductionMenstruation-related symptoms (MRSs) significantly impact women's health and contribute to economic burdens worldwide. Current interventions, primarily pharmacological ones, have limitations and side effects that underscore the need for alternative management strategies. This study explores the association between MRSs and lifestyle factors, specifically physical activity and sleep timing across menstrual cycle phases, to inform non-pharmacological intervention development.MethodsFourteen female students from Ritsumeikan University, Japan, with regular menstrual cycles (25–38 days), not on hormonal treatment or engaged in shift work, participated in this observational study. Using a Fitbit Inspire 2, total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and sleep timing were monitored over a complete cycle. Menstrual cycle phases were defined based on ovulation day, predicted using home luteinizing hormone tests. Participants completed daily electronic questionnaires rating MRSs using a modified menstrual distress questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model with a gamma distribution and logarithmic link function, examining the relationship of TDEE and the midpoint of sleep time (MS time) with MRS severity.Results and discussionThe following observations were noted: first, MRS severity, except for behavioral change symptoms, significantly increased during the menstrual and luteal phases compared to the follicular phase. Second, delayed MS time was associated with reduced pain, concentration symptoms, water retention, and negative affect during the menstrual phase and reduced negative affect during the luteal phase. Finally, an increase in TDEE was associated with reduced concentration symptoms, autonomic reaction symptoms, and negative affect during the menstrual and luteal phases and reduced water retention only during the luteal phase. This study provides insights into the relationship between MRSs and TDEE/MS time, suggesting potential non-therapeutic approaches for symptom management, though further research is needed to substantiate these findings for practical applications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1260645/fullmenstruation-related symptomsphysical activitysleepmenstrual cyclemenstrual cycle phasegeneralized linear mixed model |
| spellingShingle | Hazuki Masuda Shima Okada Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study Frontiers in Global Women's Health menstruation-related symptoms physical activity sleep menstrual cycle menstrual cycle phase generalized linear mixed model |
| title | Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study |
| title_full | Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study |
| title_short | Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study |
| title_sort | menstruation related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep a pilot study |
| topic | menstruation-related symptoms physical activity sleep menstrual cycle menstrual cycle phase generalized linear mixed model |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1260645/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hazukimasuda menstruationrelatedsymptomsareassociatedwithphysicalactivityandmidpointofsleepapilotstudy AT shimaokada menstruationrelatedsymptomsareassociatedwithphysicalactivityandmidpointofsleepapilotstudy |