Prevalence of Subclinical Ovulatory Disturbances and Symptoms During the Menstrual Cycle and Their Relationship With Physical and Mental Health in Spanish Women of Reproductive Age (Prevalencia de Alteraciones Ovulatorias subclínicas y síntomas Durante el CICLO Menstrual y su relación Con la Salud física y Mental en Mujeres españolas en Edad Reproductiva).
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 入组人数
- 400
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Severity of menstrual cycle-related symptoms using the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP).
研究概览
简要总结
The complexity inherent to the hormonal fluctuations associated with the female menstrual cycle (MC) has contributed, from a methodological perspective in research, to the neglect of women's physiological characteristics and to the silencing and normalization of symptoms linked to different life stages and hormonal environments. The scarce and outdated available data suggest high percentages of women experiencing perimenstrual symptoms, such as premenstrual syndrome or menstrual pain, as well as intermenstrual discomfort. These symptoms not only significantly impair daily activities but, due to their normalization, often lead to the underdiagnosis of other gynecological conditions.
Subclinical ovulatory disturbances-characterized by the suppression of ovarian hormones as an adaptive defense mechanism against various environmental stressors-are also frequently underdiagnosed. These disturbances typically do not affect MC length, making them difficult to detect, and although the process is reversible, it may initiate irreversible consequences for certain tissues, such as bone mass loss. However, neither women nor their educational, occupational, or healthcare environments appear to have the resources and/or knowledge required to adequately address these issues.
All of this may compromise women's rights to adequate sexual and reproductive health and to a dignified quality of life, as recognized under the second line of Axis 4, "Effective Rights for All Women," of the Strategic Plan for Effective Equality between Women and Men 2022-2025. Therefore, the aims of this multicenter project-carried out by a multidisciplinary research team from seven Spanish universities and three international institutions-are to describe the prevalence of symptoms and alterations related to the MC in women of reproductive age and to identify their associations with physical and mental health.
To accomplish this, an observational study will be conducted in a large sample of women of reproductive age, including multiple symptom and perceived-health questionnaires and ovulation monitoring. In addition, in a subsample of participants, bone mineral density will be assessed, blood levels of sex hormones will be monitored, and an innovative analysis of health biomarkers (glycemic and lipid profile, and inflammation) from menstrual blood will be included. This will be complemented by a qualitative study of experiences related to MC-associated symptoms and alterations, using in-depth interviews and thematic content analysis.
The findings of this project are expected to support various dissemination and educational actions, justify the design of more inclusive educational and healthcare policies, and enhance the understanding of women's needs, ultimately contributing to improved symptom management and quality of life.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Observational
- 观察模型
- Cohort
- 时间视角
- Prospective
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 45 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- Female
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Between 18 and 45 years
- •Naturally menstruating.
排除标准
- •Pregnant or breastfeeding.
- •Hormonal contraceptive methods during the 6 months before the study.
- •hysterectomy or ooforectomy.
研究组 & 干预措施
Prevalence of symptoms related to menstrual cycle in naturally menstruating females
干预措施: Prevalence (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Severity of menstrual cycle-related symptoms using the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP).
时间窗: Daily through study completion, an average of 3 months.
The DRSP is a prospective and validated questionnaire to assess the presence and severity of premenstrual symptoms. Participants rate 3 dimensions (depressive, physical and irritability) of symptoms on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (extreme). The total symptom score is calculated by summing responses across symptom items, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity and functional impairment.
Menstrual cycle-related distress using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q).
时间窗: once, at enrollment (baseline).
The MEDI-Q is a 25-item instrument designed to assess menstruation-related distress. It evaluates symptoms including pain, discomfort, emotional and cognitive changes, gastrointestinal symptoms, and alterations in physiological functioning. The questionnaire provides a Total Score reflecting overall menstrual distress, as well as three subscales: Menstrual Symptoms (MS), Menstrual Symptoms Distress (MSD), and Menstrual Specificity Index (MESI). Higher scores indicate greater menstrual-related distress. A Total Score ≥20 has been proposed as indicative of clinically distressful menstruation.
Dysmenorrhea using the Disnenorrhea Symptom Interference Scale (DSI)
时间窗: Daily during bleeding days through study completion, an average of 3 days per month, 3 months.
The DSI evaluates the extent to which menstrual pain interferes with daily activities, physical functioning, emotional well-being, and social participation on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (extreme). The total symptom score is calculated by summing responses across symptom items. Higher scores indicate greater pain-related interference.
SAMANTA Bleeding Questionnaire.
时间窗: once, at enrollment (baseline).
The SAMANTA Questionnaire is a 6-item screening tool designed to identify heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) that interferes with quality of life. Items are answered using a dichotomous yes/no format and generate a total score ranging from 0 to 10 points. Higher scores indicate greater likelihood of heavy menstrual bleeding affecting daily life. A total score of 3 or higher suggests clinically relevant heavy menstrual bleeding.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge prior ovulation
时间窗: Once a day, during three to five days prior the estimated ovulation day (around mid-cycle) according to participant's cycle retrospective count.
Urinary LH test to detect the LH hormone surge occurring 12-36 h prior ovulation.
Ovulation
时间窗: measured once, in days 6 to 9 after a positive urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) test during each monitored menstrual cycle.
Ovulation will be confirmed by measurement of mid-luteal serum progesterone concentration. Ovulation is considered confirmed when progesterone concentrations reach or exceed 16 nmol/L (4.61 ng/mL).
Health-related quality of life assessed using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) Index Value
时间窗: once, at enrollment (baseline).
The EQ-5D-5L Index Value is a standardized measure of health-related quality of life derived from five dimensions of health: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Responses are converted into a single index value, with higher values indicating better perceived health status.
Health-related quality of life assessed using the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS)
时间窗: once, at enrollment (baseline).
The EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) is a self-rated measure of overall health ranging from 0 (worst imaginable health) to 100 (best imaginable health). Higher scores indicate better perceived health status.
次要结局
- Serum estradiol concentrations(At 4 time points during one menstrual cycle: early follicular phase (cycle days 1-5), late follicular phase (approximately cycle days 10-14), ovulatory phase (12-36 hours after a positive urinary luteinizing hormone test), and mid-luteal phase (6-9 days))
- Serum progesterone concentrations(At 4 time points during one menstrual cycle: early follicular phase (cycle days 1-5), late follicular phase (approximately cycle days 10-14), ovulatory phase (12-36 hours after a positive urinary luteinizing hormone test), and mid-luteal phase (6-9 days))
- Serum gonadotropin concentrations: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)(At 4 time points during one menstrual cycle: early follicular phase (cycle days 1-5), late follicular phase (approximately cycle days 10-14), ovulatory phase (12-36 hours after a positive urinary luteinizing hormone test), and mid-luteal phase (6-9 days))
- Serum testosterone concentrations(At 4 time points during one menstrual cycle: early follicular phase (cycle days 1-5), late follicular phase (approximately cycle days 10-14), ovulatory phase (12-36 hours after a positive urinary luteinizing hormone test), and mid-luteal phase (6-9 days))
- Lipid profile biomarkers assessed from venous blood samples(Once, at the mid-luteal phase of the cycle (cycle days 21-25 aproximately).)
- Fasting glucose concentrations(Once, at the mid-luteal phase of the cycle (cycle days 21-25 aproximately).)
- Fasting insulin concentrations(Once, at the mid-luteal phase of the cycle (cycle days 21-25 aproximately).)
- Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations.(Once, at the mid-luteal phase of the cycle (cycle days 21-25 aproximately).)
- Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations(Once, at the mid-luteal phase of the cycle (cycle days 21-25, aproximately).)
- Serum homocysteine concentrations(Once, at the mid-luteal phase of the cycle (days 21-25 aproximately).)
- Bone mineral density assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)(Baseline)
研究者
Nuria Romero Parra
Principal investigator
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos