Passion for participatory research on the menstrual cycle

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Adolescent Medicine
• Public Health Research

Background:

• A symposium on "The Menstrual Cycle and Adolescent Health" convened in 2007.
• Attendees included patients, advocates, and experts from diverse fields.
• The meeting highlighted sparse data for evidence-based recommendations on adolescent menstrual problems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify research gaps in adolescent menstrual health.
• To develop a manifesto for future research on the adolescent menstrual cycle.
• To propose new models for research in this area.

Main Methods:

• A two-day symposium involving various stakeholders.
• Discussion and consensus-building among attendees.
• Development of a research manifesto and recommendations.

Main Results:

• Identified significant gaps in data for evidence-based management of menstrual issues in adolescents.
• Proposed a need for a novel research model integrating community participation with scientific oversight.
• Advocated for a coordinated research initiative, such as the Study of Puberty across the Nation (SPAN).

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for improved research models in adolescent menstrual health.
• A coordinated, participatory research effort is essential to address menstrual disorders in adolescents.
• Future research should focus on developing evidence-based guidelines for young people.