Journal of women's health
-
Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Treatment Patterns in Patients with Uterine Fibroids With and Without a Diagnosis of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Results from a Large U.S. Claims Database.
Background: This retrospective database analysis describes clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of U. S. women with a diagnosis for uterine fibroids (UF), both with and without heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Materials and Methods: Two cohorts aged 18-50 years with an incident UF diagnosis, comprising women with and without claims for HMB (UF-HMB and UF-only), were identified from the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus database (January 1, 2010-December 31, 2019). ⋯ In logistic regression, multiple factors were associated with a higher likelihood of receiving hysterectomy or hormonal therapy. Conclusions: Patients with UF-HMB were more likely to receive UF treatment, either surgical or pharmacologic, than women with UF-only. Apart from HMB, pain was the most commonly documented symptom of UF.
-
Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Aspirin and Risk of Specific Breast Cancer Subtype in Women with Diabetes.
Purpose: Low-dose aspirin was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in women with diabetes. However, whether the protective effect of aspirin varies as a function of the hormone receptor status of breast cancer remained an unanswered question. This study aims to explore the association between aspirin use and the risk of specific breast cancer subtypes in women with diabetes. ⋯ A cumulative dose of aspirin use of more than 88,900 mg was found to reduce both the risk of hormone receptor-positive and negative breast cancer. Conclusion: These data add to the growing evidence that supports the use of low-dose aspirin as a potential chemopreventive agent for specific subtypes of breast cancer. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
-
Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Determinants of Hormone Replacement Therapy Knowledge and Current Hormone Replacement Therapy Use.
Background: The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopausal symptoms has declined since the early 2000s, and little is known about the contemporary determinants of use in the United States. We aim to understand women's knowledge of HRT as a treatment of menopausal symptoms and to assess the factors associated with HRT use. Materials and Methods: Weighted multivariate logistic regression models evaluated the correlates of high HRT knowledge and current HRT use among a sample of 2,548 women aged ≥45 years who participated in an online survey between August 2019 and May 2020. ⋯ Compared with past users, never users appeared to be more risk averse, and reported concern over HRT risks and side effects as reasons for nonuse. Conclusions: Many factors impact women's perceived HRT knowledge level and to a lesser extent HRT use. Future research should better define the most important factors influencing decisions to use HRT for symptom relief.
-
Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Use of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Women Living in Rural and Urban Oregon: Impact of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion.
Objectives: We compared the use of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for Medicaid-enrolled women of reproductive age (WRA) living in Oregon by urban/rural status and examined the effect of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on the use of SRH services for these women. Methods: We linked Oregon Medicaid enrollment files and claims for the years 2008-2016 to identify 392,111 WRA. Outcome measures included receipt of five key SRH services. ⋯ Following the implementation of ACA Medicaid expansion, the average number of all five SRH services increased for all women. With the exception of contraceptive services, the average number of SRH services examined increased more for urban women than for women living in small rural towns. Conclusions: Although Medicaid expansion contributed to increased use of SRH services for all WRA, the policy was unsuccessful in reducing disparities in access to SRH services for WRA living in rural areas compared with urban areas.
-
Journal of women's health · Mar 2023
Vaginal Microbiota and Pregnancy Outcomes of Patients with Conization Histories.
Background: One of the major risks of preterm birth is a history of conization. However, the risk of infection due to this procedure is still not well known. Using next-generation sequencing, we aimed to reveal the influence of conization on vaginal microbiota in the following pregnancy, and their relationship between spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). ⋯ Community-state type IV in the first trimester was significantly associated with sPTB (overall odds ratio 3.80, 95% confidence interval 1.33-10.8, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Conization is a risk factor for sPTB. Increased risk of sPTB in patients after conization may belong to the vulnerable defense mechanism, due to the shortened cervix and decreased cervical mucus.