A rapid evidence map of womens health

Edwards, Deborah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1885-9297, Csontos, Judit ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4597-3052, Gillen, Elizabeth ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3700-3913, Lewis, Ruth, Cooper, Alison ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8660-6721 and Edwards, Adrian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1885-9297 2022. A rapid evidence map of womens health. [Online]. medRxiv. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.11.09.22282129

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Abstract

The rapid evidence map focuses on identifying the nature and extent of published literature on the following topic areas: healthcare professionals communication with women about womens health issues and broader health problems during clinical encounters; access to specialist healthcare; endometriosis; menopause; womens health and mental health issues, and mental health issues associated with specific conditions related to menopause or menstrual health (adenomyosis; endometriosis; fibroids; heavy menstrual bleeding, polycystic ovary syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder). The purpose of this rapid evidence map was to identify research gaps and priorities that will be beneficial to womens health in Wales. The rapid evidence map uses abbreviated systematic mapping or scoping review methods to provide a description of the nature, characteristics and volume of the available evidence. There is a lack of primary and secondary research that explores communication between women and healthcare professionals within primary and secondary care settings. Secondary research evidence exists but there are gaps in the evidence base regarding access to services providing minor gynaecological procedures and pain management, or care for menstrual health and wellbeing, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause, heart conditions, autoimmune diseases, hypermobility spectrum disorders, myalgic encephalomyelitis, long COVID, fibromyalgia, skin conditions, or palliative and end of life care, which are priority areas identified by the Womens Health Wales Coalition (2022). There are no active funding calls exploring these topics. Regarding endometriosis, there is a lack of review evidence regarding education and resources for health care professionalsand doctors to reduce diagnostic times and improve care. There is an evidence gap for primary research regarding information, support interventions and tools for women with endometriosis to help them manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.A substantial amount of secondary evidence exists on menopause along with a plethora of research priorities around treatment and symptom management. It was beyond the scope of this workto determine if any research had been conducted in these priority areas since the production of the guidelines and recommendations. There is a lack of research recommendations and review evidence that address mental health issues and specific issues that affect a womens menstrual health such as adenomyosis, fibroids, heavy menstrual bleeding and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Item Type:	Website Content
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences Prime Centre Wales (PRIME)
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Publisher:	medRxiv
Funders:	Health and Care Research Wales, Welsh Government
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 January 2024
Date of Acceptance:	11 November 2022
Last Modified:	09 Nov 2024 19:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/154157

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