Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40071118›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

A mixed method study of menstrual health in Spain: pain, disorders, and the journey for health.

Sara Sánchez-López, Dani Jennifer Barrington, Rocio Poveda-Bautista, Santiago Moll-López

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Observational
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Stigma and silence: the menstrual taboo in Spain.International journal for equity in health · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Sara Sánchez-LópezINGENIO (CSIC-UPV), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
Dani Jennifer BarringtonSchool of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
Rocio Poveda-BautistaINGENIO (CSIC-UPV), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
Santiago Moll-LópezDepartamento de Matemática Aplicada, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Menstrual-related symptoms and disorders, particularly dysmenorrhea, significantly impact women's well-being. Dysmenorrhea, marked by painful menstrual cramps, affects up to 95% of women, leading to debilitating symptoms that interfere with daily activities and potentially signal underlying gynecological issues. Despite its prevalence, many women experience inadequate medical support and dismissive healthcare responses. Methods: This study employed a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative survey data to explore Spanish women's experiences with menstrual discomforts and healthcare access. A total of 3,490 participants responded to the survey, which assessed the prevalence of menstrual discomforts, frequency of medical consultations, and perceived quality of gynecological care. Results: Findings indicate that 70.9% of participants experience menstrual discomforts monthly or most months; despite this, a significant number of women infrequently seek gynecological care, often due to perceived dismissiveness and inadequate medical support. The qualitative analysis reflects shared experiences of pain normalization, misattribution to other conditions, and dissatisfaction with the standard treatment of contraceptive pills without thorough diagnostics. Additionally, the study reveals that in Spain, access to healthcare support for menstrual issues is highly influenced by whether the provider is public or private, demonstrating the impact of socio-economic factors and underscoring a core contributor to health inequity. Discussion: This study highlights the persistent gender pain gap and the need for a more holistic and empathetic approach in medical practices. The authors' recommendations include incorporating gender training for healthcare professionals and promoting awareness campaigns to encourage medical consultations for menstrual pain. This research aims to improve support systems and healthcare practices, enhancing the quality of life for women in Spain.

Indexed as

DysmenorrheaHealth Services AccessibilityMenstruation DisturbancesAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchSpainSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung Adultdysmenorrheagender pain gaphealthcare accesshealth inequalitiesmenstrual health

Identifiers

PMID40071118
PMCPMC11893987

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.