ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Family history may be poor predictor of breast cancer risk at younger ages, study indicates.

Younger patients who do not have a family history of breast cancer in first degree relatives cannot decrease their likelihood of developing the disease. source article

Study suggests Viagra may combat sexual dysfunction in some women taking antidepressants.

Viagra may increase sexual satisfaction; however libido remains unaffected. source article

Lidocaine gel may ease pain during mammograms, study suggests.

Patients who used both OTC and prescription lidocaine jellies found mammograms less painful and thus more willing to undergo the important routine examination. source article

The Perineal Debate

Antibiotic prophylaxis improved outcomes of repair for obstetric lacerations, which were more likely to occur after prior episiotomies. By Ann J. Davis, MD July 24, 200 source article

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends vaccinating Tdap-naive women immediately postpartum.

By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP July 24, 2008 source article

A 24/4 OC regimen suppressed ovulation more effectively than did the traditional 21/7 regimen, even when the first three pills were missed.

By Ann J. Davis, MD July 24, 2008 source article

In a long-term study, coffee drinkers had lower mortality rates than did nondrinkers; this difference was significant among women but not among men.

By Ann J. Davis, MD July 24, 2008 source article

Symptomatic women were helped most by HT.

By Claudio N. Soares, MD, PhD, FRCPC July 24, 2008 Covering: Hess R et al. Menopause 2008 May/Jun 15:422 Nachtigall L. Menopause 2008 May/Jun 15:407 source article

In a cross-sectional study, age at natural menopause differed among women with different ethnic backgrounds.

By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP July 24, 2008 Covering: Henderson KD et al. Am J Epidemiol 2008 Jun 1; 167:1287 source article

Study suggests anti-epilepsy drug may increase birth defect risk when taken by pregnant women.

When choosing anti-epileptic medication, topiramate should perhaps stay near the bottom of the list. source article

Study suggests breast self-exams may not increase survival.

New data suggests that monthly self breast exams do not lead to changes in outcomes for mortality among breast cancer diagnoses and may lead to increases in unnecessary biopsies. source article

Research indicates consuming more fiber during first trimester of pregnancy may reduce preeclampsia risk.

High amounts of fiber (over 21 grams/day) lead to decreased rates of third trimester preeclampsia as well as decreased triglycerides. source article

Study indicates too much, insufficient sleep may increase stroke risk in postmenopausal women.

Women ages 50-79 may increase risk for ischemic stroke if their sleeping hours are irregular. The safe zone seems to let somewhere in between 6-8 although nighttime awakenings can affect this outcome. source article

STI acquisition rates did not differ in HIV-infected DMPA users and nonusers.

By Anna Wald, MD, MPH July 17, 2008 Covering: Overton ET et al. Contraception 2008 May 29; source article

Lesbians reported fewer viral STI diagnoses than did bisexual or heterosexual women -- but many questions remain.

By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP July 3, 2008 Covering: Tao G. Am J Public Health 2008 Jun 98:1007 source article

Chlamydia screening was not performed at most preventive care visits by young women.

By Ann J. Davis, MD June 26, 2008 Covering: Hoover K and Tao G. Obstet Gynecol 2008 May 111:1097 source article

Antiretroviral therapy in infants of HIV-positive breast-feeding mothers lowered HIV transmission.

By Anna Wald, MD, MPH July 17, 2008 Covering: Kumwenda NI et al. N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 10; 359:119 Gray GE and Saloojee H. N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 10; 359:189 source article

Oral but not transdermal estrogen was associated with excess risk for gallbladder disease.

By Wendy S. Biggs, MD July 14, 2008 Covering: Liu B et al. BMJ 2008 Jul 10; 337:a386 source article

Study suggests obesity may increase sperm abnormalities.

Increasing the waistline may decrease the volume and quality of the sperm a man can produce-remember to investigate the partner in the infertility workup! source article

Sexual history, behavior during adolescence may not predict women's HPV risk, study suggests.

Using sexual history as criteria for HPV vaccinations in the 19-26 year old age groups may not cover all at risk patients. Later entries and fewer partners do not decrease the risk a female may be under. source article

Laparoscopic excision was associated with greater long-term risk for reoperation than was hysterectomy.

By Sandra Ann Carson, MD July 10, 2008 Covering: Shakiba K et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 Jun 111:1285 source article

In a large, randomized study, acyclovir suppression of HSV-2 did not reduce the rate of HIV acquisition.

By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD July 9, 2008 Covering: Celum C et al. Lancet 2008 Jun 21; 371:2109 source article

Sinecatechins, extracted from green tea, were effective in treating external anogenital warts.

By Sandra Ann Carson, MD July 3, 2008 Covering: Tatti S et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 Jun 111:1371 source article

The high rates of cervical abnormalities emphasize the need to monitor cervical cytology in HIV-positive women.

By Robert W. Rebar, MD June 26, 2008 Covering: Denny L et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 Jun 111:1380 Massad LS et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 Jun 111:1388 source article

A simple maneuver at the end of surgery attenuated post-laparoscopic shoulder pain.

By Sandra Ann Carson, MD June 19, 2008 Covering: Phelps P et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 May 111:1155 source article

Whether or not women underwent membrane sweeping, overall rates of induction, postmaturity, and prelabor membrane rupture were similar.

By Sandra Ann Carson, MD July 10, 2008 Covering: Hill MJ et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 Jun 111:1313 source article

Some mammography facilities produce more-accurate results than others, but identifying those facilities was not straightforward.

By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD July 10, 2008 Covering: Taplin S et al. J Natl Cancer Inst 2008 Jun 18; 100:876 source article

Highly effective contraceptives were underused by women with seizure disorders.

By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD June 26, 2008 Covering: Davis AR et al. Contraception 2008 Jun 77:405 source article

Neonatal screening pulse oximetry improved detection of critical CHD.

By Howard Bauchner, MD June 24, 2008 Covering: Meberg A et al. J Pediatr 2008 Jun 152:761 Mahle WT. J Pediatr 2008 Jun 152:747 source article

USPSTF Concludes Current Evidence Is Insufficient to Screen for Gestational Diabetes but other organizations recommend screening women who have risk factors.

By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM June 24, 2008 Covering: Hillier TA et al. Ann Intern Med 2008 May 20; 148:766 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2008 May 20; 148:759 source article

Gestational Diabetes Is Increasing in the U.S.Increases were seen among both whites and blacks in all age groups and in all regions of the U.S.

By Robert W. Rebar, MD June 19, 2008 Covering: Getahun D et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008 May 198:525.e1 source article

Improved vigilance is warranted during oxytocin-induced uterine hyperstimulation.

By Diane J. Angelini, EdD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, NEA-BC June 19, 2008 Covering: Simpson KR and James DC. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008 Mar 13; source article

Women who experienced anal sphincter laceration during delivery were somewhat less likely to report sexual activity at 6 months postpartum.

By Sandra Ann Carson, MD June 19, 2008 Covering: Brubaker L et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 May 111:1040 source article

Almost 20% of women self-reported postpartum depressive symptoms; physical abuse, life or financial stress, smoking, and having a low birth weight infant raised risk.

By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP June 19, 2008 Covering: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Apr 11; 57:361 source article

Women with firstborn male children had excess risk for secondary recurrent miscarriage.

By Sandra Ann Carson, MD June 12, 2008 Covering: Nielsen HS et al. Fertil Steril 2008 Apr 89:907 source article

Diagnosis and Treatment of Headache in Pregnancy.

By Gretchen E. Tietjen, MD June 3, 2008 Covering: Menon R and Bushnell CD. Neurologist 2008 Mar 14:108 source article

Pityriasis Rosea in Pregnancy

By Jan V. Hirschmann, MD May 30, 2008 Covering: Drago F et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008 May 58:S78 source article

Exercise during pregnancy had no adverse effect on risk for preterm birth.

By Diane J. Angelini, EdD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, NEA-BC May 29, 2008 Covering: Juhl M et al. Am J Epidemiol 2008 Apr 1; 167:859 source article

Persistent pain after Pfannenstiel incision was common; moderate-to-severe pain often was associated with nerve entrapment.

By Sandra Ann Carson, MD May 29, 2008 Covering: Loos MJ et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 Apr 111:839 source article