Top in women's health: Debunking 'morning sickness' myths; vaccines not linked to bleeding

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is a common condition, occurring in 50% to 80% of pregnancies, and it is associated with positive fetal outcomes and a reduced risk for pregnancy loss, research has shown.

Many myths and misconceptions exist about the condition, like being called “morning sickness,” even though symptoms can occur any time of day. Healio spoke with Shannon M. Clark, MD, FACOG, professor, associate OB/GYN residency program director and levels of maternal care director at the University of Texas Medical Branch, to debunk these myths and discuss treatment options for patients.

It was the top story in women’s health last week.

In another top story, a study found that COVID-19 vaccines were unlikely to cause abnormal uterine bleeding. In 2020 and 2021, the incidence of abnormal uterine bleeding was similar among people who were vaccinated and people who were unvaccinated. In a perspective for Healio, Jerilynn C. Prior, MD, FRCPC, a professor of endocrinology at the University of British Columbia, weighed these findings against her own experience fielding questions from women who reported spotting or bleeding earlier than expected following a COVID-19 vaccination, and offered an explanation.

Read these and more top stories in women’s health below:

Q&A: Misconceptions, risk factors, treatment for nausea, vomiting of pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, commonly called morning sickness, is a complex condition that can occur at any time of the day and includes and combination of nausea, vomiting and retching. Read more.

COVID-19 vaccine availability not tied to change in incidence of abnormal uterine bleeding

COVID-19 vaccination availability was not associated with changes in abnormal uterine bleeding incidence for women of reproductive age, researchers reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Read more.

Q&A: Normalize seeking proper bacterial vaginosis diagnosis, treatment

Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection many U.S. women experience, but there continue to be knowledge gaps requiring research to help understand its development, risk factors and treatment. Read more.

Changes in prescription medication use by pregnant women after 2010 in US

Opioid and teratogenic medication prescriptions decreased and prescriptions for medications for diabetes and mental health conditions increased among pregnant women after 2010 in the U.S., researchers reported. Read more.

Pregnancy often advised for endometriosis management, despite lack of evidence

In a survey of women with endometriosis, more than half reported being advised to become pregnant to manage the disease, often by health care providers, despite little supporting evidence, researchers reported. Read more.