Menstrual health under the scientific microscope: Text mining analysis

Menstrual health represents an interdisciplinary concern that necessitates a broad, integrated understanding beyond its biological foundations, encompassing social, psychological, and cultural dimensions. This study examines whether the corpus of scientific literature from 1970 to 2023 aligns with this holistic perspective by exploring the evolving paradigms within menstrual health. Grounded in Kuhn's theoretical framework, the research delves into thematic shifts, author collaborations, and international partnerships that have emerged over the decades. Utilizing advanced text-mining methodologies, we analyzed a dataset of 34,854 documents obtained from Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science and PubMed in September 2023. These documents were processed through deduplication and data cleaning to ensure accuracy. The study employs a combination of univariate analyses, correspondence factor analyses, hierarchical cluster analyses, and network analyses to uncover insights into thematic evolution and collaborative dynamics within menstrual health research. Thematic analysis reveals three distinct periods in menstrual health research, depicting evolving paradigms. In the first period (1970-1996), the focus was on reproductive health, infertility treatments, hormonal regulation, and epidemiology. The second period (1997-2017) witnesses a transition, emphasizing menstrual health and social inequalities, gynecological studies, and contraception. The third period (2018-2023) maintains a focus on contraception and reproductive health but introduces a pronounced psychological dimension, emphasizing menstrual disorders, gynecological surgery, and socioeconomic concerns. Collaboration analysis indicates increased connectivity, consolidation of researcher communities, and a shift toward interdisciplinary approaches. While international collaborations demonstrate global commitment, geographical concentration prompts questions about paradigm universality. The study shows the existence and evolution of the menstrual health paradigm. Findings suggest a trajectory toward paradigmatic inscription, marked by heightened collaboration and global commitment. Acknowledging the pivotal role of biological aspects, the study underscores the need for a balanced, holistic understanding of menstrual health. Continued efforts are essential to tailor interventions, foster inclusivity, and honor diverse cultural and psychological realities related to menstruation.