Throughout 2025, many important updates that continue to shape the care of women across all stages of life were reported in obstetrics and gynecology. These included noteworthy advancements in postpartum depression, STIs, perimenopause, and more.

In this recap, Contemporary OB/GYN highlights the most impactful regulatory news, clinical research findings, and expert perspectives from 2025.

Click on each title below for in-depth coverage of these key updates.

1. Intraoperative esketamine linked to lower postpartum depression rates after cesarean delivery

A randomized clinical trial of 308 women undergoing cesarean delivery at The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China found that a 0.25 mg/kg infusion of esketamine reduced the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) at 6 weeks compared with a saline placebo (10.4% vs 19.5%). The study reported no significant effect on PPD at 1 week or on pain levels, although esketamine reduced the need for additional analgesics.

Transient side effects such as dizziness, trance-like states, and dream-like sensations were more common in the esketamine group. The authors concluded that esketamine may be effective and safe for preventing PPD in women undergoing cesarean delivery and recommended further research to confirm these findings.

2. FDA approves Visby’s test for at-home STI identification

The FDA granted marketing authorization for the Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test, making it the first at-home, prescription-free test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. The single-use test provides results in approximately 30 minutes via the Visby Medical App and may be used by symptomatic and asymptomatic women.

In validation studies, the test correctly identified 97% to 100% of positive and 98% to 99% of negative samples across the 3 infections. The FDA noted that false negatives could delay treatment and transmission, while false positives could lead to unnecessary treatment. The device was reviewed under the De Novo premarket pathway, creating a new regulatory classification to facilitate future marketing of similar tests.

3. Experts provide cold water swimming guidelines during pregnancy

A scoping review and expert consensus published in Lifestyle Medicine provided guidance on cold water swimming during pregnancy. The recommendations suggest that only regular cold water swimmers should participate, always with supervision, and that individuals with high or very low blood pressure should avoid it.

The review included 6 studies evaluating physiological responses, water quality, and pregnancy-specific risks, finding potential benefits such as reduced pedal edema and lower odds of restless leg syndrome, with no consistent evidence of harm to fetal outcomes. Cases of maternal hypothermia were rare and mostly associated with healthy deliveries. Investigators emphasized selecting safe, monitored swimming locations and called for further research to better understand fetal effects and maternal experiences.

4. DARE to PLAY sildenafil cream becomes commercially available for women in select states

Daré Bioscience announced the commercial availability of DARE to PLAY, a topical sildenafil cream for women, through a Section 503B outsourcing facility in select US states. The cream is designed to increase genital blood flow and improve arousal sensations, with clinical studies showing effects within 10 to 15 minutes.

In a phase 2b randomized trial of 200 premenopausal women with female sexual arousal disorder, exploratory analyses identified a subset of participants who experienced significant improvements in sexual arousal, with trends toward enhanced desire and orgasm and reduced sexual distress. The product is compounded under current Good Manufacturing Practice standards but is not FDA approved. Prescriptions are available in multiple states, with broader availability expected in 2025 to 2026, addressing a treatment gap for women with genital arousal challenges.

5. Study: Perimenopause symptoms common in women as young as 30

New research from UVA Health and the Flo app found that more than half of women aged 30 to 35 years experience moderate to severe perimenopausal symptoms, though most do not seek treatment until their mid-50s or later. Analysis of responses from over 4,400 US women showed that psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and irritability often precede physical symptoms, which become more prominent after age 50 years.

Symptoms including sleep disturbances, vasomotor changes, and genitourinary issues were common and could persist for 5 to 10 years. The study underscores the need for earlier recognition, patient education, and proactive clinical discussions to support women experiencing perimenopause.