Intrauterine Contraception in Adolescents
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Pilot study suggests that this safe contraceptive method is acceptable to teens.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
April 15, 2010
Covering:
Godfrey EM et al., Contraception 2010 Feb; 81:123
Is Do-It-Yourself Home Cervicovaginal Sampling an Effective Screening Strategy?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Self-sampling response rates and yield of high-grade cervical lesions in women who tested positive for human papillomavirus were high.
Urinary and Anal Incontinence Are Common During and After Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Older age, greater weight gain, and vaginal delivery were risk factors for both forms of incontinence.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
April 15, 2010
Covering:
Solans-Domènech M et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Mar; 115:618
Bones Can Bounce Back
Bone-density loss in adolescents who use depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception is reversible.
Is Risk for Venous Thromboembolism Affected by Route and Type of Menopausal Hormone Therapy?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Results of a large observational study suggest that transdermal (in contrast with oral) estrogens do not raise risk.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
April 8, 2010
Covering:
Canonico M et al., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2010 Feb; 30:340
Cushman M., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2010 Feb; 30:136
Untangling the Relations Between Hormone Therapy and Coronary Heart Disease
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Analysis showed no evidence of excess CHD risk during the first 2 years of combined hormone therapy initiated within 10 years of menopause; cardioprotection might develop after 6 years.
In the Long Run, Oral Contraceptive Pills Don't Raise Mortality
Women's Health Summary and Comment
On the contrary, pill use conveyed a modest mortality benefit.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
April 8, 2010
Covering:
Hannaford PC et al., BMJ 2010 Mar 11; 340:c927
Strategies for Managing Stress Incontinence Are Not Additive or Long-Lasting
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Behavioral therapy worked better than pessary at 3 months, but the difference did not persist at 12 months.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
March 25, 2010
Covering:
Richter HE et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Mar; 115:609
Oral Contraceptive Use Affects Migraines
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Combination oral contraceptives influenced frequency and severity of migraines but not other headache types.
Unrecognized Menstrual Disturbances Are Common in Women Who Exercise Strenuously
Women's Health Summary and Comment
More than half of exercising women had oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, or more-subtle menstrual disturbances.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
March 18, 2010
Covering:
De Souza MJ et al., Hum Reprod 2010 Feb; 25:491
Among College Women, Vaginal Rings Were Used More Consistently Than Oral Contraceptives
Women's Health Summary and Comment
. . . but most study participants discontinued use of either contraceptive after study completion.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
March 18, 2010
Covering:
Gilliam ML et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Mar; 115:503
Obstetrician/Gynecologists' Knowledge and Attitudes About Intrauterine Contraception
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Most respondents considered intrauterine contraception to be safe, but nearly one third incorrectly thought the method raised risk for pelvic inflammatory disease or was inappropriate for teens or nonmonogamous women.
Acupuncture for Depression ... Only If You're Pregnant?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Although many studies have not found acupuncture to be effective for depression, it might work in pregnant women with major depression.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 15, 2010
Covering:
Manber R et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Mar; 115:511
Teens' Knowledge and Attitudes About Emergency Contraception
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Based on input from minority adolescents, researchers developed targeted social marketing.
Tubal Sterilization Does Not Lead to Sexual Problems
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women who underwent the procedure were likely to report positive effects on sexual relationships.
Lymphadenectomy in Patients with Endometrial Cancer
In patients at intermediate or high risk for recurrence, more-widespread removal of lymph nodes was associated with better outcomes.
By Pedro T. Ramirez, MD
March 9, 2010
Covering:
Todo Y et al., Lancet 2010 Feb 25
Ulipristal Acetate for Emergency Contraception
Women's Health Summary and Comment
This selective progesterone-receptor modulator provided effective contraception within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
March 4, 2010
Covering:
Glasier AF et al., Lancet 2010 Feb 13; 375:555
Fine P et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Feb; 115:257
Bacterial Vaginosis: Treatment Options and Outcomes
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Single-dose clindamycin vaginal cream (2%) was associated with low rates of bacterial vaginosis recurrence and risk for vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Atypical Glandular Cell Cytology Calls for Human Papillomavirus Testing
Women's Health Summary and Comment
High-risk HPV correlated with excess risk for cervical cancer but not endometrial cancer, especially in women older than 50.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
February 18, 2010
Covering:
Castle PE et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Feb; 115:243
HPV Testing for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Invasive Cervical Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
For women 35 or older, HPV testing was superior to cytology for detecting high-grade CIN.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
February 11, 2010
Covering:
Ronco G et al., Lancet Oncol 2010 Jan 19
Castle PE and Hormuzd AK., Lancet Oncol 2010 Jan 19
Gradual or Cold Turkey: When Stopping HT, Is One Better Than the Other?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Mode of HT discontinuation did not affect likelihood of hot-flash recurrence.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
February 4, 2010
Covering:
Lindh-Åstrand L et al., Menopause 2010 Jan/Feb; 17:72
Menstrual Blood Loss and the Menopausal Transition
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Ovulatory cycles during the late-menopausal transition were associated with heaviest bleeding.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
February 4, 2010
Covering:
Hale GE et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Feb; 115:249
Clover and Cohosh Don't Alleviate Vasomotor Symptoms — But Standardized Compounds Are Safe
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In a small but rigorous trial, black cohosh and red clover were safe but were no more effective than placebo at relieving menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
Radiologists Continue to Recommend Routine Screening Mammography Beginning at Age 40
Women's Health Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Recommendation contrasts with recent guidelines from the USPSTF.
Is Acupuncture as Effective as Venlafaxine for Treating Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Survivors?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Perhaps, but lack of blinding limits the clinical implications of this small trial.
