Women's Health
‘Step-by-Step’ resource aims to improve menopause education for clinicians, students
A lack of menopause education for health care professionals has had a direct impact on midlife women seeking care, and a new initiative from The Menopause Society aims to bridge a wide gap in knowledge and training.
Extending antigen-matching protocols lowers odds for hemolytic disease of fetus, newborn
Extending routine donor-recipient matching to include Rhesus c, E and K antigens was tied to lower odds for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn vs. standard ABO blood type and Rhesus D antigen matching, researchers reported.
Providing menstrual products in schools ‘critical step’ to address period poverty
In the U.S., the average age of menarche is continuing to decrease, highlighting the importance of providing menstrual products for women and girls in all school bathrooms and public buildings to alleviate period poverty.
Respect, clear communication can address ‘mismatch in care’ for postpartum Black women
To improve morbidity and mortality rates for postpartum Black women, clinicians must focus on patients’ lived experiences, communication needs and the consequences of structural racism, researchers reported in O&G Open.
At-home misoprostol administration during second trimester safe, reduces time in hospital
At-home first-dose misoprostol administration increased the proportion of women completing medical abortion after 12 weeks’ gestation through outpatient care with a favorable safety profile, according to findings published in The Lancet.
Current, prior substance use tied to hot flashes, other bothersome menopause symptoms
Current and prior heavy alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or opioid use were all independently associated with vasomotor, mood or musculoskeletal symptoms experienced during menopause, researchers reported.
CDC: Birth rates falling, with fewer women receiving prenatal care
In the U.S., birth and general fertility rates dropped while the percentage of women receiving no prenatal care rose from 2022 to 2023, according to a recent CDC birth trends report.
Fewer infants born small for gestational age in China as conditions improve
The prevalence of infants born small for gestational age in China fell by more than 27% from 2012 to 2020, a change attributed to several improved maternal factors including access to care, researchers reported.
Congenital syphilis rising in US, tied to preterm birth, hospital stay, costs
U.S. congenital syphilis rates rose from 2016 to 2020 and were linked to preterm birth, longer hospital length of stay and higher costs with race/ethnicity, insurance, income, admission year and hospital characteristics tied to likelihood.
Messaging strategies increase support for, intentions of breast cancer screening cessation
Among older women, messaging strategies significantly increased support for and intentions of breast cancer screening cessation, with the strongest effects occurring when messages were delivered over time from multiple sources, data show.