Associations of psychological status in the early postpartum period with resumption of menstruation and degree of menstruation-related symptoms. (3rd October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ishihara, Rumi; Nagamine, Keiko; Nishikawa, Yoshie; Haku, Mari; Uemura, Hirokazu; Matsuura, Yukie; Yasui, Toshiyuki
• Is Part Of: Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology. Volume 42:Number 7(2022)
• Page Start: 2954
• Page End: 2961
• Publication Date: 2022-10-03
• Subjects: Postpartum -- resuming menstruation -- depression -- menstrual symptoms; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2114334
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-3615

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this prospective study was to clarify the associations of psychological status in the early postpartum period with resumption of menstruation and degree of menstruation-related symptoms. This study was conducted from February in 2017 to July in 2018 in Japan. We conducted self-administered questionnaire surveys for 229 postpartum women at 3 days postpartum, 2 weeks postpartum, one month postpartum, 3 months postpartum and 6 months postpartum. The proportion of women who resumed menstruation in the period up to 6 months postpartum was 38.8%. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score at 6 months postpartum in women who resumed menstruation in the period up to 6 months postpartum was significantly higher than that in women who did not resume menstruation. EPDS scores during the postpartum period in women in whom menstruation-related symptoms became worse than those before pregnancy were significantly higher than those in women in whom menstruation-related symptoms did not change compared to those before pregnancy. In multiple regression analysis, there was no significant difference between EPDS score at 6 months postpartum and degree of menstruation-related symptoms. Additional research is needed to clarify the association of psychological condition during the postpartum period with resumption of menstruation. Impact Statement: What is already known on this subject? Postpartum psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety during the postpartum period may affect degrees of menstruation-related symptoms after resumption of menstruation, and there also may be a bidirectional relationship between psychological symptoms and menstrual pain. What do the results of this study add? Resumption of menstruation occurred in 38.8% of 121 women within 6 months postpartum, and poor psychological condition during the postpartum period was associated with early resumption of menstruation. The psychological condition in women with earlier resumption of menstruation might affect menstruation-related symptoms. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Management of a stable psychological status during the early postpartum period should be implemented for women's health care in the future.