DMPA: How Has the Black Box Affected Clinical Practice?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Some physicians limit DMPA use and order BMD tests.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
December 4, 2008
Covering:
Paschall S and Kaunitz AM., Contraception 2008 Nov; 78:370
HPV Testing Improves Yield of Cervical Cancer Screening
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis of screening studies showed that HPV screening at 6-year intervals resulted in a very low number of high-grade lesions, especially in women older than 35.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
November 20, 2008
Covering:
Dillner J et al., BMJ 2008 Oct 13; 337:a1754
Another Ovarian Cancer Marker — Almost There?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Levels of circulating cell-free DNA might become useful for predicting ovarian cancer.
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
November 20, 2008
Covering:
Zachariah RR et al., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Oct; 112:843
Robot-Assisted Surgery for Gynecologic Cancers: The Future Is Now!
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Robotic surgery was associated with shorter operative times and hospital stays, less blood loss, and lower complication rates than were traditional methods.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
November 13, 2008
Covering:
Boggess JF et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008 Oct; 199:357.e1
Boggess JF et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008 Oct; 199:360.e1
More Factors to Consider in Selecting Contraceptive Methods
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Both injectable and oral hormonal contraception reduce certain symptoms.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
November 6, 2008
Covering:
Berenson AB et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008 Oct; 199:351.e1
Testosterone for Low Libido in Postmenopausal Women: Not Ready for Prime Time
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Testosterone cannot be viewed as a clear-cut answer for women with HSDD; long-term side effects and risk for breast cancer remain uncertain.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
November 5, 2008
Covering:
Davis SR et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 6; 359:2005
Heiman JR., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 6; 359:2047
Testosterone’s Effect on Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women Distressed by Low Libido
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Transdermal testosterone improved sexual function in women who were not receiving estrogen.
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
November 5, 2008
Covering:
Davis SR et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 6; 359:2005
Heiman JR., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 6; 359:2047
Sexual Problems: How Distressing?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
U.S. survey results show that sexual problems in women are common but often are not distressing.
Urinary Stress Incontinence and Exercise in Younger Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
About half of physically active premenopausal women who reported USI experienced symptoms during exercise; jumping was cited most often as the trigger.
Cervical Cancer Screening Test Tailored for Use in Developing Countries
Women's Health Summary and Comment
A quick, technologically simple HPV-DNA test for use in resource-poor settings performed well in rural China.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
October 30, 2008
Covering:
Qiao Y-L et al., Lancet Oncol 2008 Oct; 9:929
Examination After Reports of Sexual Abuse: Timing Matters
Physical signs of trauma or sexual abuse are more likely to be found in children examined within 7 days.
Cervical Conization Affects Pregnancy Outcomes
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Removal of cervical tissue raised risk for future preterm delivery, severe low birth weight, and perinatal mortality.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
October 16, 2008
Covering:
Albrechtsen S et al., BMJ 2008 Sep 18; 337:a1343
Arbyn M et al., BMJ 2008 Sep 18; 337:a1284
Menstrual Bleeding Patterns Associated with Continuous Use of the Contraceptive Ring
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Compared with a 21/7-day cycle, continuous hormone exposure led to lighter menstrual flow; allowing hormone-free days reduced total days with bleeding or spotting.
Topical Gabapentin for Vulvodynia
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In a retrospective study, 80% of women who used topical gabapentin for symptoms of vulvodynia reported improvements of
The Falling Pelvic Floor
Women's Health Summary and Comment
A substantial proportion of women reported symptoms of pelvic floor disorders; likelihood rose with age, parity, and BMI.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
October 9, 2008
Covering:
Nygaard I et al., JAMA 2008 Sep 17; 300:1311
Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Nearly one quarter of U.S. women have marked disorders.
Combined Medical and Behavioral Therapy for Urge Urinary Incontinence in Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Adding behavioral modification to tolterodine treatment did not augment women’s long-term likelihood of discontinuing drug treatment.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
September 11, 2008
Covering:
Burgio KL et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Aug 5; 149:161
LNG IUS Safe for Breast Cancer Patients
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Recurrence rates were not significantly higher in women using LNG IUS after treatment for breast cancer than in similar patients who did not use the system.
A New Wrinkle in Syphilis Testing
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Reversal of the traditional syphilis screening test algorithm reveals cases that would have been missed before.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
August 27, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Aug 15; 57:872
Perimenopausal Hormone Production and Menstrual Cycle Characteristics
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Irregularities in cycle interval and bleeding duration had a hormonal basis and were associated with anovulation in a 3-year multisite, multiethnic study.
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
August 14, 2008
Covering:
Van Voorhis BJ et al., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Jul; 112:101
Exercise plus Amenorrhea Equals Thinner Bones
Adolescent endurance athletes with amenorrhea had significantly lower BMD <$EMPH_O>z<$EMPH_C> scores than did either eumenorrheic athletes or eumenorrheic nonathletes.
Update on Hormone Therapy: Evidence-Based Approaches
HT’s risks and benefits vary, based on timing, menopausal symptom severity, and underlying risks for CVD and breast cancer.
By Kathryn M. Rexrode, MD, MPH, and JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH
July 31, 2008
Another Look at Using Hormones to Treat Menopausal Symptoms
Women's Health Patient Information
If your menopausal symptoms are interfering with your life, hormone treatments might be an option; to make an informed decision, discuss your personal situation with your clinician.
New NAMS Position Statement on Postmenopausal HT
Women's Health Practice Watch
Therapy should be tailored to each woman based on her individualized risk-benefit profile.
Altered Regimen Might Help Prevent Oral Contraceptive Failures When Pill Packs Are Started Late
Women's Health Summary and Comment
A 24/4 OC regimen suppressed ovulation more effectively than did the traditional 21/7 regimen, even when the first three pills were missed.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
July 24, 2008
Covering:
Klipping C et al., Contraception 2008 Jul; 78:16
