Top in women’s health: UTI diagnosis, treatment; satisfaction with permanent contraception

Healio spoke with Cynthia Fok, MD, associate professor in the department of urology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, about the prevalence of urinary tract infections in U.S. women and the current treatments available.

Additionally, she talked about the recently published clinical practice guidance from the WikiGuidelines collaborative on the prevention, diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

“Take UTIs seriously and be mindful of them,” Fok told Healio. “Because I do think that it gets overlooked and there are some very treatable and preventable things we can do for women if we just acknowledge that they are happening and make sure women receive appropriate care.”

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

In another top story, a cross-sectional survey revealed that 99% of U.S. adults with no biological children who underwent permanent contraception responded “strongly agree” when asked if the procedure was the right decision.

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

Q&A: Ensuring proper diagnosis, being ‘good antibiotic stewards’ key to UTI treatment

Antibiotics remain the most common way to treat urinary tract infections, yet many women remain untreated because the condition is often overlooked or they do not receive appropriate testing and care. Read more.

Few adults without biological children regret decision for permanent contraception

Adults who do not have biological children had various reasons for undergoing permanent contraception and most experienced no regret after the procedure, according to an exploratory survey study published in Contraception. Read more.

Q&A: Effective, accessible treatments for common vulvovaginal pain

About one in four women experience vulvovaginal pain that persists for 3 to 6 months or more, yet many delay seeking care or struggle to find a physician who can provide effective treatment. Read more.

Keto diet may restart, realign menstrual cycles for women with obesity

Compared with a low-fat diet, nutritional ketosis with or without exogenous ketones may positively impact self-reported menses for women, restarting or realigning menstrual cycles, according to study results published in PLOS ONE. Read more.

ACA contraception coverage increases birth control use, lowers pregnancy, abortion rates

The Affordable Care Act’s elimination of contraception cost sharing led to increased contraception use, especially for long-acting reversible methods, and lower pregnancy and abortion rates, researchers reported in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Read more.