Journal of women's health
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The Clinical Update series is intended to help busy clinicians stay up to date with recently published important and potentially practice-changing articles on topics pertinent to the care of women. In this update on sexual health, we review studies on use of vaginal dilators for vaginal stenosis in gynecologic cancer survivors, sexual dysfunction in transgender people, as well as studies evaluating the effect of physical activity and infertility on female sexual health.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2023
Randomized Controlled Trial2gether: A Clinic-Based Intervention to Increase Dual Protection from Sexually Transmitted Infections and Pregnancy in Young African American Females.
Background: To determine whether the 2gether intervention increases use of a dual protection (DP; concurrent prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections [STIs]) strategy and decreases pregnancy and STIs among young African American females, who disproportionately experience these outcomes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial comparing the 2gether intervention to standard of care (SOC). Participants were self-identified African American females aged 14-19 years who were sexually active with a male partner in the past 6 months. ⋯ Implementation of this intervention in clinical settings serving young people with high rates of pregnancy and STIs may be beneficial. ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT02291224 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02291224?term=2gether&draw=2&rank=5).
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2023
Sexual Orientation-Related Nondiscrimination Laws and Maternal Hypertension Among Black and White U.S. Women.
Background: Black women and sexual minority women are more likely to report adverse maternal health. Little research has investigated maternal health disparities at the intersection of race/ethnicity and sexual orientation or the mechanisms that contribute to these disparities. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. ⋯ Interactions between race, sexual orientation identity, and sexual orientation-related policies show that, regardless of sexual orientation identity, sexual orientation-related nondiscrimination laws were associated with a lower risk of maternal hypertension among White mothers (OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.70-0.92). However, among Black women, these laws were associated with a lower risk of maternal hypertension among lesbian and bisexual women (OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.05-0.68) only. Conclusions: Laws that prevent discrimination related to sexual orientation in various societal domains may play an important role in improving maternal health outcomes among White women in general and Black lesbian and bisexual women in particular.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2023
ReviewPerinatal (Re)experiencing of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: An Integrative Review.
This integrative review aimed to synthesize both qualitative and quantitative research on the (re)experiencing of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the perinatal period for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. Whittemore and Knafl's framework, which includes problem identification, literature review, data evaluation, data analysis, and results dissemination, was used. A search in four databases (i.e., PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis Global) yielded an initial sample of 3420 articles. ⋯ CSA survivors are at increased risk of (re)experiencing PTSD symptoms throughout the perinatal period, which may be due to several internal and external triggers. Further research is needed to understand external triggers outside of medical care, and how the unique context of pregnancy may differ from other life contexts for survivors of CSA. Findings point to the relevance of adopting trauma-informed practices with CSA survivors during their perinatal period.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2023
Nocturnal Hot Flashes, but Not Serum Hormone Concentrations, as a Predictor of Insomnia in Menopausal Women: Results from the Midlife Women's Health Study.
Background: Sleep disruptions are among the most common symptoms experienced during menopause and can be associated with depression, hot flashes, and fluctuating hormones. However, few studies have examined how such risk factors influence sleep in midlife women in a network-based approach that will establish the complex relationship between variables. Materials and Methods: We used a Bayesian network (BN) to examine the relationship between multiple factors known to influence sleep and depression in midlife women, including hormone concentrations, hot flashes, and menopause status among participants of the longitudinal Midlife Women's Health Study. ⋯ Frequency of insomnia in year 4 was only predicted by frequency of insomnia in year 1, whereas frequency of depression in year 4 was predicted by year 4 insomnia and frequency of depression in year 1. No other factors were direct predictors of insomnia or depression in our model. Conclusions: Therefore, hot flashes at night, previous insomnia, and depression are stronger predictors of how women will self-report frequency of sleep disruptions and treatment may reduce menopausal sleep complaints.