Ben Schwartz

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a highly effective form of long-acting reversible contraception but insertion can be associated with discomfort. In a new study, researchers from Pennsylvania sought to quantify the impact of the procedure on IUD satisfaction in younger women.

To fight the opioid epidemic, ob/gyns, like all physicians, are looking for ways to help prevent substance use disorders and enhanced recovery programs (ERAS) could play a role. PLUS: Are EDs screening adolescents with PID for HIV, syphilis? ALSO: Results of a new retrospective study show that a woman’s race may impact how likely she is to have a myomectomy-and alarmingly, whether the procedure is likely to result in morbidity.

Incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) continues to increase in women during pregnancy and the puerperium. Data from a new study point to underlying factors contributing to that trend. PLUS: Results of a large population-based study of POP procedures provide new insights into what factors other than the material may play a role in the adverse surgical outcomes.

The manufacturer of a device for permanent birth control that reportedly causes serious adverse events has decided to cease selling it at the end of the year. PLUS: Does smoking cessation really = weight gain? Also: Is prenatal depression more common today? 

Research point to risk as well as benefits of extended adjuvant tamoxifen for ER-positive BCa. PLUS: Should breast cancer screening be risk-based? ALSO: Side effects of cross-sex hormones in transwomen.

A study by investigators from New England suggests that a mother’s diet during pregnancy and lactation may have an impact on the microbiome in her infant’s gut. PLUS: Are prenatal vitamin D levels tied to adverse pregnancy outcomes? ALSO: Results of a survey-based study of attending surgeons shows that they play a major role in whether women with breast cancer receive genetic testing.

While obesity has been shown to have a strong correlation with an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, the results from a large-scale, multicenter analysis show that the inverse may actually be true for younger women. PLUS: Women with denser breast tissue have higher recall and biopsy rates and increased odds of screen-detected and interval breast cancer, according to a recent study.

An analysis by Danish investigators published in JAMA shows that taking oral fluconazole during pregnancy is associated with a significant increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Plus: What persuades parents to vaccinate for HPV? Also: Does prenatal exposure to lithium increase risk of congenital malformations?

A recent study compared pretreatment with mifepristone followed by treatment with misoprostol against treating with misoprostol alone for the management of  first-trimester pregnancy loss. Plus: Are patients less satisfied with MDs who reduce opioids? Also: Does infant exposure to hypertensive disorders or pregnancy affect neurodevelopment?

According to research recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine, chemotherapy is not more beneficial than treatment with hormone therapy alone for women with certain types of breast cancer. Plus: Do abortions cause depression? Also: Public comments are being solicited on a new systematic review from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on unhealthy alcohol use in adults aged 18 and older, including pregnant women.

The first birth from a groundbreaking trial of in utero stem cell transplantation suggests that fetal therapy may be a viable new option for alpha thalassemia (ATM). Plus: Why do vasomotor symptoms bother some women long after menopause? Also: Does CPAP improve sexual QOL in women with sleep apnea?

Results of a UK study show that while intrauterine infection may contribute to preterm birth (PTB), a reproducible “preterm placental microbiome” does not exist. Plus: Depression in the male partner of couples being treated for infertility was linked to lower pregnancy chances, according to results of a recent study.

Prenatal exposure to tobacco and marijuana can affect infant size and behavior, according to a recently published study. Plus: Is HT-NIPT cost-effective for guiding postpartum use of anti-D? Also: A recent study shows that lesbian and bisexual (LB) women have a greater likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) than their heterosexual counterparts.

A recent study shows that mothers exposed to moderate to high levels of caffeine during pregnancy may give birth to infants that gain excess weight in early childhood. Plus: How does ART affect risk of stillbirth? Also: A study found that obese African-American women have significantly lower energy expenditure per kilogram of mass compared to obese white women with similar energy intake and physical activity levels.

Results of a recent extended study of prolapse surgery  showed that in 60% of women, two common procedures failed within 5 years, but patients still reported a higher quality of life than before the surgery. Plus: ACOG has released a revised Committee Opinion to emphasize the idea of the “fourth trimester” in an attempt to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality numbers. Also: A recent study suggests that entering menopause later in life may be associated with a small boost in memory performance years later.

Analysis of data from more than 50 million pregnancy-related hospitalizations shows that more needs to be done to identify new mothers at high risk for heart failure (HF) before they leave the hospital. Plus: Incidence of occult cancer during benign gynecology surgery is low but not insignificant. Also: According to a recent study, nearly 5% of non-pregnant women of childbearing age experience major depression, but less than half of those patients use antidepressants.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an order restricting sales and distribution of the contraceptive device Essure. Plus: Can a Pap test one day be used to diagnose ovarian, endometrial cancers?

Results of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) suggest that over-the-counter moisturizer may be just as effective as vaginal estrogen tablets for treatment of vulvovaginal symptoms (VVS) in postmenopausal women. Plus: Does a Mediterranean diet help protect bones in postmenopausal women? Also: Metformin, an oral diabetes medication, seems to reduce the likelihood of late miscarriage and premature birth in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to results of a multicenter study.

Failure of liquid nitrogen storage tanks at two major infertility centers has led to a review of procedures at those and other similar facilities by them and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Plus: Does MHT affect cardiovascular health? Also: Hirsutism treatment and diagnosis updated.

Interim data from two studies of a dapivirine vaginal ring-DREAM and HOPE-lend further credence to the potential benefits of using the device for HIV prevention. Plus: FDA authorizes direct-to-consumer BRCA1/BRCA2 test. Also: A new Zika virus test extends window for accurate diagnosis.

According to research, the size of a woman’s hips and waist may be the best indicators of her risk of a heart attack. Plus: Adverse risks of pregnancy over 40. Also: Active surveillance of CIN2 is a viable treatment, according to a study.

In a new statement, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is recommending against ovarian cancer screening for women who have no symptoms and no hereditary cancer syndromes. Plus: Breast MRI screening results in higher biopsy rates, according to a study.

A drug that is low cost and easy to administer may help prevent maternal deaths, according to results of a randomized clinical trial. Plus: Does air pollution affect menstrual regularity? Also: According to a statement published by the American Heart Association (AHA), breast cancer patients may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Preliminary data from a retrospective study suggest that incidence of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (sSAH) may be increasing among pregnant women. Plus: Study finds lower risk of diabetes a benefit of breastfeeding. Also: Taking prenatal folic acid and multivitamins lowers the risk of autism, according to results of a new case-control study.

Results of a large randomized clinical trial indicate that in low-risk nulliparas, elective induction of labor (IOL) at 39 weeks lowers rates of cesarean delivery (CD) without significantly increasing adverse perinatal outcomes. Plus, more coverage from The Pregnancy Meeting.

Hormone therapy (HT) can prevent development of depressive symptoms among initially euthymic perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women, according to results of a study. Plus: Does prenatal choline exposure promote cognition in infants?

Results of a study of fetal ultrasounds show that maternal obesity has an impact on fetal growth as early as 32 weeks’ gestation. Plus: Breast cancer risks increased by 21% in women who consumed more than 9 g of processed meat per day, according to a published study. Also: Does prenatal use of topiramate increase risk of cleft palate?

An updated review of evidence by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) underscores concerns expressed in 2014 by the agency about use of laparoscopic power morcellators (LPM) for treatment of uterine fibroids. Plus: Prescription habits show ob/gyns not well informed about opioids, according to a study. Also: Does ADHD medication use during pregnancy increase risk of congenital malformations?

Three Phase 1 human clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of an Army-developed Zika purified inactivated virus (ZPIV) vaccine have shown it to be safe and well tolerated, according to a recent study. Plus: Another study has found an association between postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS), including hot flashes and night sweats, and elevated risk of diabetes.

A multinational randomized controlled trial indicates, for what may be the first time, that continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may have health benefits that go well beyond control of maternal hyperglycemia. Plus: Does postmenopausal HT impact risk of stroke? Also: A study suggests that late puberty affects bone mineral density.