Top in women’s health: Cognition tied to urinary tract; lack of certified clinicians

A new study published in Menopause found midlife women with better cognitive function have lower odds for lower urinary tract symptoms.

Ability, attentiveness, processing speed, and executive function are signs of better cognitive function established in the study. However, the association between cognitive function and symptom likelihood lacked significance when considering mechanisms that explain links between cognition and symptoms.

“It is an intuitive premise that cognitive function may influence the bladder health of women,” Sonya S. Brady, PhD, LP, associate professor in the department of family medicine and community health at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and colleagues wrote. “Aspects of cognitive function — particularly executive function — may impact brain-bladder communication and women’s bladder health.”

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

In another top story, a study found only 13% of clinics had a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP). Clinics with a MSCP were less likely to promote hormone therapy or hormone testing.

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

Cognitive function modestly tied to lower urinary tract symptoms for midlife women

For midlife women, better cognitive function — specifically ability, attention, processing speed and executive function — may be associated with a lower likelihood of lower urinary tract symptoms, researchers reported in Menopause. Read more.

Menopause Society Certified Practitioner-affiliated clinics likely to adhere to guidelines

Clinics with vs. without Menopause Society Certified Practitioners are more likely to adhere to guidelines and not advertise compounded or bioidentical hormones, hormones for youthful appearance or weight loss or recommend hormone testing, according to a pilot study published in Menopause. Read more.

Disordered eating more common in PCOS, regardless of body weight

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to have any form of disordered eating, particularly bulimia or binge eating disorder, suggesting a weight-neutral treatment plan could be beneficial, according to findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Read more.

Remote postpartum BP program reduces hospital readmissions, improves guideline adherence

A remote postpartum blood pressure management program led to fewer hospital readmissions, greater postpartum visit attendance, improved guideline adherence and higher rates of antihypertensive prescriptions, researchers reported in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Read more.

Anxiety, depression scores tied to risk for postpartum urinary incontinence

Women who scored higher on depression and anxiety questionnaires 12 months postpartum are more likely to have stress or urgency urinary incontinence, supporting the need for mental health and bladder leakage screenings, according to a study published in Urogynecology. Read more.