Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Feb 2019
Gender Differences in Prevalence, Patterns, Purposes, and Perceived Benefits of Meditation Practices in the United States.
Meditation is a common type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and the evidence for its usefulness for health promotion is growing. Women have higher rates of overall CAM use than men do, but little is known about gender differences in meditation practices, reasons for use, or perceived benefits. ⋯ There are gender differences in prevalence, purpose, and perceived benefits of using meditation. US adults aged ≥18 use meditation and find it helpful. Although currently less prevalent among men, providers can consider meditation as a tool for health promotion in both men and women.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2019
ReviewBeyond "Vessels and Vectors": A Global Review of Registered HIV-Related Clinical Trials with Pregnant Women.
Since the early 1990s, the HIV research agenda has prioritized to some degree the inclusion of pregnant women. However, concerns remain regarding the extent to which pregnant women's own health needs are addressed, representation in trials of HIV preventives or treatments for comorbidities, and equitable study of newer medications during pregnancy. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that trials with pregnant women are conducted across a range of countries and sponsors, and much progress has been made to better address pregnant women's own health needs in HIV research. However, our findings confirm other concerns, for example, lack of HIV preventives studied and the lag between medication licensure and study during pregnancy.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2019
Uterine Fibroids and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adult Women's Study.
Uterine fibroids, the most common reproductive tract tumor in women, have been associated with hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Prior studies of fibroids and CVD have examined the subset of women with symptomatic fibroids who undergo hysterectomy, itself a risk factor for CVD. We aimed to study the risk of subclinical CVD, as determined by coronary artery calcification (CAC), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), and left ventricular (LV) mass, in women with ultrasound-diagnosed uterine fibroids. ⋯ Although women with fibroids had more CVD risk factors, presence of fibroids was not associated with subclinical CVD.