Sexual Health

From surgical staplers to birthing simulator updates, 2014 brought many new innovations for obstetrics and gynecology.

The FDA has granted a first-ever waiver for a rapid screening test for syphilis, allowing the test to be used in a greater variety of health care settings.

As a result of concern over widespread phthalate exposure, pregnant women were studied to determine their phthalate level and its effect on reproductive health.

High doses of vitamin D, which is an immune booster, aren't protective against bacterial vaginosis in women at high risk for STDs.

Two studies show that the emotional impact of uterine fibroids is significant but support is lacking, especially in African American women.

How much does ospemifene really help in the improvement of sexual function in postmenopausal women? David Portman, MD, discusses new study findings.

Voters in North Dakota sent a clear message that health care decisions, from pregnancy to end-of-life care, must involve only patients and their physicians.

A consequence of Measure 1, which may or may not be a "personhood" amendment, is that IVF and other infertility services in North Dakota will end.

There is little research on preserving fertility in transgendered men. Research from Sweden provides some evidence on reproductive counseling in these patients.

Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD, professor of reproductive biology and psychiatry, explains how OB/GYNs can provide office-based sex therapy by telling patients these 5 things.

New research: it’s common for the male partner in infertile couples to experience stress and sexual dysfunction during their partner’s fertile period.

Many sexual desire problems in women can be addressed without a prescription, but OB/GYNs must first develop skills for frank discussions with patients about sex.

An intensive in-home program aimed at pregnant teens at risk for drug use and depression, specifically American Indian teens, proves successful.

Sexual desire problems in midlife women are common, but of key importance is determining whether they cause distress, says Raymond Rosen, PhD.

Experts advise against any off-label prescribing of testosterone for women, unless they are postmenopausal with a low sex drive.

The clinical and scientific realms of endometriosis have significant gaps, highlighted by persistent delays in diagnosis and underestimates of harm.

There is a movement under way to make oral contraceptives over the counter. As a clinician, would you be in favor of this?

Improving patient-doctor communication is the goal of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), the new name for vaginal atrophy and other menopause symptoms.

New research from Australia has found that only small doses of testosterone are needed to raise testosterone back to premenopause levels in postmenopausal women.

This case demonstrates the utility of 3D ultrasound, using the coronal plane as a reference point, for patients with an IUD who have pelvic pain.

Vulvovaginal atrophy, or atrophic vaginitis, is now being called "genitourinary syndrome of menopause," or GSM, according to experts.

A pseudo-tampon that delivers an antiretroviral drug is now being studied as a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis for women at high risk for HIV infection.

The optimal time to get the HPV vaccine is before a first sexual encounter. But getting the vaccine after still offers significant protection against cervical dysplasia.

A novel birth control option is in the works, and it’s in the form of a microchip that, when implanted, could work for up to 16 years. The future is now, folks.

New recommendations against routine pelvic exams in adult women with no symptoms have been issued by the American College of Physicians. What do you think?