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EVERYTHING
New Guidelines Call on OBGYNs to Take Pain Seriously
What: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists followed the CDC's lead and is officially urging doctors to consider pain during common procedures, such as inserting an IUD. The guidelines suggest using an anesthetic cream, spray, or an injected local anesthetic to reduce discomfort.
Key Line: “'There’s really a push from our patients to understand what the options are — what’s available to them,' said Dr. Kristin Riley, an obstetrician-gynecologist and co-author of the new guidelines. 'I mean, we’re all on social media, and we all see it,' she said. That feedback was 'certainly on our minds.'"
Source: New York Times
MENSTRUATION
The Brain Changes During Menstruation
What: This article breaks down studies from 2023 and 2024 that found the menstrual cycle can reshape the brain. Researchers tracked 30 women with MRI scans and hormone level measurements and found significant changes in brain structures during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Key Line: "What this means for the person driving the brain is unknown, but the research lays the groundwork for future studies, and perhaps understanding the causes of unusual but severe period-related mental health problems."
Source: Science Alert
PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM
Treating Everyone for Preeclampsia? (And More)
What: Mount Sinai offers vignettes on research presented by their staff at the annual meeting of OBGYNs. One looked at the benefit of giving aspirin to every pregnant patient in clinics that have a majority who are at risk for preeclampsia. Two additional studies looked at the effects of doula care.
Key Line: "This study explores how HoPE doulas have an extensive impact on social determinants of health, beyond the scope of traditional doula care and traditional health care. ...Following the implementation of the Helping Promote Birth Equity (HoPE) program through community-based doula care in two safety net hospitals, the researchers explore understanding perceptions of hospital staff about doulas to achieve successfully integrating the program into standard clinical care."
Source: Mount Sinai
Jennifer Lawrence Talks Postpartum Madness
What: Actress Jennifer Lawrence is starring in a movie about a new mother's descent into madness. At the Cannes Film Festival she explained how she pulled from her own experience as a mother--and particularly postpartum--for the role.
Key Line: "'As a mother, it was really hard to separate what I would do as opposed to what she would do. And it was just heartbreaking...I had just had my firstborn, and there's not really anything like postpartum. It's extremely isolating, which is so interesting.' Lawrence drew parallels between her own experience and that of the film's main character. 'When Lynne moves this couple into Montana, she doesn't have a community,' she continued. 'She doesn't have her people. But the truth is, extreme anxiety and extreme depression is isolating, no matter where you are. You feel like an alien.'"
Source: ABC News
ONCOLOGY
Cervical Cancer Screening At-Home Method Proven Accurate
What: A nonrandomized clinical trial of nearly 600 women found that self-collected vaginal samples, using the recently FDA-approved Teal Wand device, detected high-risk HPV as well as clinician-collected samples. The device was safe, easy to use, and stored samples effectively for testing.
Key Line: " One-quarter of US women who are at risk for cervical cancer delay screening. ...This study found that the SC device is a safe and accurate method for primary HPV cervical cancer screening, offering a preferred alternative to in-clinic cervical cancer screening."
Source: JAMA Network Open
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