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Jouanny C, Abhyankar P, Maxwell M. A mixed methods systematic literature review of barriers and facilitators to help-seeking among women with stigmatised pelvic health symptoms. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:217. [PMID: 38570870 PMCID: PMC10993589 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women's pelvic health is a globally important subject, included in international and United Kingdom health policies, emphasising the importance of improving information and access to pelvic health services. Consequences of pelvic symptoms are intimate, personal, and varied, often causing embarrassment and shame, affecting women's quality of life and wellbeing. AIM To understand the experience of seeking healthcare for stigmatised pelvic health symptoms by synthesising all types of published primary research and mapping the results to behavioural theory, to identify potential targets for intervention. METHODS Systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, PubMED databases, CDSR and CENTRAL registers, from inception to May 2023 for all types of research capturing women's views and experiences of seeking help with stigmatised urogenital and bowel symptoms. Studies only reporting prevalence, predictors of help-seeking, non-health related help-seeking, or written in languages other than English, German, French, Spanish and Swedish were excluded. Reference checking and forward citation searching for all included studies was performed. A results-based synthesis approach was used to integrate quantitative and qualitative data. Themes were mapped to the Common-Sense model and Candidacy framework. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for critical appraisal. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation - Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research for assessing certainty of review findings. RESULTS 86 studies representing over 20,000 women from 24 high income countries were included. Confidence was high that barriers to help-seeking were similar across all study types and pelvic symptoms: stigma, lack of knowledge, women's perception that clinicians dismissed their symptoms, and associated normalising and deprioritising of low bother symptoms. Supportive clinicians and increased knowledge were key facilitators. CONCLUSIONS Using the Common-Sense Model to explore women's help-seeking behaviour with stigmatised pelvic symptoms reveals problems with cognitive representation of symptom identity, emotional representations of embarrassment and shame, and a subjective norm that women believe their symptoms will be trivialised by clinicians. Together these barriers frustrate women's identification of their candidacy for healthcare. Addressing these issues through behavioural change interventions for women and clinicians, will help to achieve universal access to pelvic healthcare services (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.7). SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42021256956.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Jouanny
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland.
| | - Purva Abhyankar
- Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
| | - Margaret Maxwell
- The Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
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2
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Camas-Castillo MA, Gallardo-Alvarado N, Yánez-Sánchez P, Makuch MY, Osis MJD, Bahamondes L. Menstrual health: Inequities in a cohort of menstruating people in the Brazilian southeastern region. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 164:1160-1166. [PMID: 37922242 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and period poverty in a group of low- and medium-income menstruating people. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Campinas, Brazil, from January to June 2022 with 535 participants aged 18-49. For data collection, we used the abbreviated version of the WHO Quality-of-Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and a pre-tested questionnaire with items regarding MHM and period poverty. RESULTS We found an inverse relationship between the risk of no access to supplies to perform menstrual hygiene, which increased by 2.5% and each point less in the environmental domain of quality of life (QoL), and this risk increased by up to 3.1 times among participants who reported difficulty making ends meet. The risk of not having adequate conditions to perform menstrual hygiene at home increased by up to 2.6% for every one-point drop in the environmental domain of QoL. The risk of not having adequate conditions to perform menstrual hygiene outside the home increased by up to 1.3% for less points in the psychological domain of QoL, and 44.4% of those who indicated inadequate conditions for menstrual hygiene reported two or more childbirths. CONCLUSIONS Menstruating people who have an increased risk of lacking menstrual supplies and have an increased risk of inadequate conditions for MHM at home and outside the home, as well as those who have two or more deliveries and those having difficulties making ends meet, scored low on the QoL, especially in the environmental and psychological dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam A Camas-Castillo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas Faculty of Medical Sciences, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Negli Gallardo-Alvarado
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas Faculty of Medical Sciences, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Paula Yánez-Sánchez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas Faculty of Medical Sciences, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - María Y Makuch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas Faculty of Medical Sciences, Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Campinas Center of Research in Reproductive Health (Cemicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - María J D Osis
- Campinas Center of Research in Reproductive Health (Cemicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiai, Jundiai, SP, Brazil
| | - Luis Bahamondes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas Faculty of Medical Sciences, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Cook AS, van den Hoek R. Period pain presenteeism: investigating associations of working while experiencing dysmenorrhea. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 44:2236294. [PMID: 37466378 DOI: 10.1080/0167482x.2023.2236294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) is common and can have detrimental effects on work and social functioning, little is known about how people manage it in their professional life. Existing evidence indicates that people with dysmenorrhea often engage in presenteeism, meaning they work despite experiencing symptoms and report perceptions of social stigma around menstruation. In this study, we investigated individual health-related factors, psychosocial factors, and work factors associated with period pain presenteeism in a cross-sectional survey study including N = 668 employed people with experiences of dysmenorrhea. Our results show that symptom severity, disclosure of menstrual pain to the leader, and remote work are directly associated with period pain presenteeism. We further found that the presence of medical diagnosis moderates the association between symptom severity and presenteeism. Disclosure to the leader was associated with leader gender, leader-member exchange (LMX), and the absence of a medical diagnosis, indicating a potential mediating effect. We did not, however, find the perceptions of public beliefs regarding the concealment of menstruation to be related to presenteeism or disclosure. Our findings have important implications for research on menstrual health and occupational health management practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sasha Cook
- Psychological Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Robin van den Hoek
- Psychological Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Howe D, Duffy S, O’Shea M, Hawkey A, Wardle J, Gerontakos S, Steele L, Gilbert E, Owen L, Ciccia D, Cox E, Redmond R, Armour M. Policies, Guidelines, and Practices Supporting Women's Menstruation, Menstrual Disorders and Menopause at Work: A Critical Global Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2945. [PMID: 37998437 PMCID: PMC10671631 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11222945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Objectives: This paper presents a scoping review of global evidence relating to interventions (i.e., policies, practices, guidelines, and legislation) aimed at supporting women to manage menstruation, menstrual disorders, and menopause at work. (2) Methods: Databases including Medline (Ebsco), CINAHL (Ebsco), Scopus, Web of Science, APA PsychInfo (Ebsco), Humanities International Complete (Ebsco), Academic Search Premier (Ebsco), HeinOnline and OSH Update, and Google Scholar were searched in May 2022. (3) Results: Of 1181 unique articles screened, 66 articles are included. Less half of the articles (42%, 28/66) presented/reviewed an intervention related to women's workplace health. A total of 55 out of the 66 articles are set across 13 countries with the remaining 12 articles described as multi-country studies or reviews. Half of the articles presenting/reviewing an intervention were grey literature, with several undertaken in UK and EU member countries. Interventions focusing on supporting women with menopause at work were the most common (43%, 12/28), followed by menstruation (25%, 7/28) and menstrual disorders (7%, 2/28). Across the reviewed articles, recommendations were categorised as adjustments to the physical work environment, information and training needs, and policy and processes. Few articles explicitly presented or affirmed a design-process and/or evaluation tied to their intervention. In lieu of design-process, this review categorises the rationales driving the development of an intervention as: pronatalist, economic rationalism, gendered occupational health concern, cultural shift towards gender equity objectives, and efforts to reduced shame and stigma. (4) Conclusions: There is a growing body of evidence aimed at understanding women's experiences of managing their menstrual and reproductive health in the workplace and how this impacts their work/career trajectories. However, little research is explicitly concerned with exploring or understanding interventions, including their design or evaluation. Most articles report menopause guidelines and are typically confined to the UK and EU-member countries. Despite the prevalence of menstrual disorders (e.g., endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)) there is limited literature focused on how women might be supported to manage symptoms associated with these conditions at work. Accordingly, future policies should consider how women can be better supported to manage menstruation and menstrual disorders at work and recognise the importance of co-design during policy development and post-intervention evaluation. Further research needs to be undertaken on the impact of workplace policies on both employers and employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Howe
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia; (D.H.)
| | - Sarah Duffy
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2751, Australia
| | - Michelle O’Shea
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2751, Australia
| | - Alex Hawkey
- Translational Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia
| | - Jon Wardle
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore 2480, Australia
| | - Sophia Gerontakos
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore 2480, Australia
| | - Linda Steele
- Law Health Justice Research Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia;
| | - Emilee Gilbert
- School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2751, Australia
| | - Lara Owen
- School of Modern Languages, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9PH, UK
| | - Donna Ciccia
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia; (D.H.)
- Endometriosis Australia, Sydney 2000, Australia
| | - Emma Cox
- Endometriosis UK, London SE1 1SZ, UK
| | - Rebecca Redmond
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore 2480, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia; (D.H.)
- Translational Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2145, Australia
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ), Wellington 6242, New Zealand
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Mbongo EN, Miranda H, Haikera H. A narrative inquiry into women's experiences of menstruation at the workplace in Namibia. J Public Health Afr 2023; 14:2587. [PMID: 37753433 PMCID: PMC10519112 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Menstruation's effects on workplace productivity and its impact on women's careers are rarely discussed in public discourse. This paper presents an analysis of thirteen women's accounts of their menstrual experiences at work. Objectives The study aimed to understand women's lived experiences of menstruation in the workplace in Namibia and to make recommendations for best practices and policy formulation to help female employees cope with menstruation at work in Namibia. Materials and Methods The study adopted a qualitative, phenomenological narrative inquiry research design, and thirteen participants working in various institutions and companies in Namibia were selected through a snowball sampling procedure. Individuals who agreed to participate in the study were given a link to a Google document containing reflective questions. Results Thematic analysis was used to analyze the narratives. The study findings show that most participants experienced various menstrual-related symptoms ranging from unbearable physical pain or discomfort to heavy bleeding and psychological distress. Menstruating women face workplace challenges, such as a lack of emergency sanitary products and unsupportive superiors. Conclusions Based on the narratives analyzed, we conclude that menstrual-related symptoms affect work productivity. Participants highlighted that they perform better and are considerably more productive on their non-menstrual days. Participants advocated for a shift in policy to allow flexibility to work from home or get menstrual leave when experiencing severe menstrual symptoms. Such a change will go a long way in making the workplace more accommodating to women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hertha Haikera
- School of Nursing, Department of Midwifery Sciences, Rundu Campus, University of Namibia, Kavango East Region, Namibia
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Tjernström K, Lindberg I, Wiklund M, Persson M. Negotiating the ambiguity of an (in)authentic working life: a grounded theory study into severe perineal trauma. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:47. [PMID: 36750837 PMCID: PMC9902817 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Sweden, persistent physical and psychological health problems occur in about three in ten women who sustain severe perineal trauma (SPT) during childbirth. As most Swedish women work outside the home, the question of if and how SPT-related morbidity influences working life needs exploration. This study aims to qualitatively explore how women with persistent SPT-related morbidities experience and conceptualise their problems concerning working life. Further, we theorise the findings by applying Simone de Beauvoir's feminist framework of immanence and transcendence as well as authentic and inauthentic life. METHODS Ten interviews with women recruited via a Swedish social media community for perineal trauma were analysed according to Charmaz's constructivist approach to grounded theory. RESULTS The theoretical model and related core category 'Negotiating the ambiguity of an (in)authentic working life' reflected the women's negotiations of immanence as 'the silent covert object' versus transcendence as the 'the resourceful overt subject'. The model also mirrored the conflict of (in)authenticity in working life. An inauthentic working life was experienced when women were denied their subjectivity at work or constructed themselves as subjects in denial of their SPT. On the other hand, women who acknowledged their SPT and were constructed as subjects by 'others' achieved an authentic working life despite SPT. CONCLUSIONS The conflicting gendered process of 'the silent covert object' versus 'the resourceful overt subject' problematised women's vulnerability at work. Aspects that enable subjectification and transcendence are essential for policymakers, employers, healthcare services, and society to eradicate the taboo of SPT and create a working environment characterised by understanding, support, and flexibility. Further, access to adequate care, sick leave, and occupational rehabilitation are essential. Such measures support transcendence towards an authentic working life and, consequently, a more gender-equal working environment that does not deprive women of career opportunities due to a physical ailment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inger Lindberg
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria Wiklund
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Section of Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Margareta Persson
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Gjellestad M, Haraldstad K, Enehaug H, Helmersen M. Women's Health and Working Life: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1080. [PMID: 36673834 PMCID: PMC9859470 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Women's health matters for participation in working life. The objective of this study was to explore female physiology in a work-life context and to investigate possible associations between women's health, sickness absence and work ability. A scoping review was conducted to develop a systematic overview of the current research and to identify knowledge gaps. The search strategy was developed through a population, concept and context (PCC) model, and three areas of women's health were identified for investigation in the context of work. A total of 5798 articles were screened by title and abstract and 274 articles were screened by full text; 130 articles were included in the review. The material included research from 19 countries; the majority of the studies used quantitative methods. The results showed an impact on the occupational setting and an association between sickness absence, work ability and all three areas of women's health, but a holistic and overall perspective on female biology in the work context is missing. This review calls for more knowledge on health and work and possible gender differences in this regard. Women's health and working life involve a complex connection that has the potential to develop new knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Gjellestad
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Kristin Haraldstad
- Department of Health and Nursing, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Heidi Enehaug
- Work Research Institute, Center for Welfare and Labour Research, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0176 Oslo, Norway
| | - Migle Helmersen
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway
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Alhelou N, Kavattur PS, Olson MM, Rountree L, Winkler IT. Menstruation, Myopia, and Marginalization: Advancing Menstrual Policies to "Keep Girls in School" at the Risk of Exacerbating Inequalities. Health Hum Rights 2022; 24:13-28. [PMID: 36579303 PMCID: PMC9790947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As countries across the world adopt policies addressing menstruation, it is imperative to identify who benefits from such policies and to understand the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion. We examine such policies through the lens of human rights, as a framework that demands addressing marginalization, ensuring substantive equality, and guaranteeing inclusive participation to ensure that the menstrual needs of everyone, everywhere are met. Our review is focused on four countries (India, Kenya, Senegal, and the United States) and is based on data from 34 policy documents and interviews with 85 participants. We show that girls, particularly school-going girls, are the main target group of policies. Due to this myopic view of menstrual needs, policies risk leaving the needs of adult menstruators, including those experiencing (peri)menopause, unaddressed. Moreover, the intersection between menstrual status and markers of identity such as disability and gender identity produces further policy gaps. These gaps can be attributed to the exclusion of marginalized menstruators from decision-making processes by creating barriers and failing to ensure meaningful inclusive participation. To address inequalities, policy makers need to make a concerted effort to understand and accommodate the needs of menstruators in all their diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nay Alhelou
- A research coordinator at the Population Council and former research fellow at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Purvaja S. Kavattur
- A researcher with the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, and former staff associate at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Mary M. Olson
- A researcher at Columbia University, New York, United States, specializing in economics and its intersections with human rights and gender
| | - Lillian Rountree
- An undergraduate at Columbia University, New York, United States, studies statistics and French with a research focus on menstrual health and contraception
| | - Inga T. Winkler
- An associate professor in human rights in the Legal Studies Department at the Central European University in Vienna, Austria, and former lecturer in human rights at Columbia University, New York, United States.,Please address correspondence to Inga T. Winkler. .
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Owen L. Stigma, sustainability, and capitals: A case study on the menstrual cup. GENDER WORK AND ORGANIZATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Owen
- University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
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