What is it about?
This study examines how many people in Japan received medical treatment for menstrual problems, such as severe menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) and endometriosis, over the last two decades. It also looks at trends in prescriptions of hormonal treatments (low-dose estrogen/progestin drugs, LEPs). The findings reveal a large increase in patients receiving ongoing medical care after 2014, particularly among women in their twenties. This increase aligns with wider availability and affordability of LEPs due to insurance coverage and generic drugs, even though overall self-reported menstrual issues have stagnated.
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Why is it important?
This study is the first to comprehensively analyze long-term national trends in medical care and prescription patterns for menstrual health issues in Japan. It highlights the critical impact of policy changes, especially public insurance coverage and generic drug availability, on women's healthcare behaviors. Understanding these trends helps identify gaps in healthcare access, address cultural and economic barriers to seeking care, and supports future policy making aimed at improving women's reproductive health and quality of life.
Perspectives
As an author, I consider this work an important step in improving visibility and awareness of menstrual health as a significant public health issue in Japan. It underscores the positive impact that policy interventions—such as insurance coverage and affordable generic medications—can have on women's health behaviors and outcomes. My hope is that this research will encourage further studies and stimulate policy reforms to ensure that menstruation-related symptoms receive appropriate attention and treatment, helping reduce stigma and improve the lives of many women.
Motoyuki Nakao
Kurume Daigaku
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Trends in the estimated proportion of outpatients with menstrual disorders and the number of prescribed low-dose estrogen/progestin drugs in Japan: A descriptive study, PLOS One, July 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327774.
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