Deborah Fillion, Alessandro Ferdinando Ruffolo, Nathalie Verlet, Carine Martin, Charles Garabedian, Chrystèle Rubod, Yohan Kerbage, Michel Cosson, Louise Ghesquiere, Romain Corroenne, Marine Lallemant
{"title":"Influence of perineal tears and body image disturbance on postpartum sexual quality of life: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Deborah Fillion, Alessandro Ferdinando Ruffolo, Nathalie Verlet, Carine Martin, Charles Garabedian, Chrystèle Rubod, Yohan Kerbage, Michel Cosson, Louise Ghesquiere, Romain Corroenne, Marine Lallemant","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2716382","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2026.2716382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Whether perineal injury severity independently determines postpartum sexual quality of life (SQoL) is unclear. This study evaluated perineal tears and body image as determinants of SQoL and sexual resumption timing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 173 women (2-24 months postpartum, vaginal delivery) completed an online questionnaire including the SQoL-F and Body Image Scale (BIS). Women with perineal tear/episiotomy (PT/E; <i>n</i> = 118) were compared with those with an intact perineum (<i>n</i> = 51) using multivariate regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SQoL-F scores were similar between groups (71.1 ± 23.3 vs 76.9 ± 24.0; <i>p</i> = 0.10), though PT/E delayed sexual resumption (<i>p</i> = 0.04). On multivariate analysis, SQoL-F was independently associated with dyspareunia (β = -10.96; <i>p</i> < 0.001), body image disturbance (β = -0.93; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and pre-pregnancy sexual satisfaction (β = +4.99; <i>p</i> = 0.001), but not tear type. Delayed resumption was independently associated with OASI (OR = 7.02; <i>p</i> = 0.02), first/second-degree tears (OR = 2.20; <i>p</i> = 0.04), and lower pre-pregnancy relationship satisfaction (OR = 0.50; <i>p</i> = 0.048).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Postpartum SQoL is primarily determined by dyspareunia and body image disturbance rather than perineal tear severity. OASI carries a substantial risk of delayed sexual resumption, warranting dedicated postpartum counseling.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"48 1","pages":"2716382"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2027-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149149194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"\"Sailing Two Boats\" the fragmented identity of working women and the hidden labor of infertility: a qualitative analysis.","authors":"Swati Dhar, Vidyashree Ganesh Poojari, Prashanth Adiga, Anjali Mundkur, Akash Tomar, Pratap Kumar","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2742884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2026.2742884","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore how professional women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) experience and manage conflicts between treatment demands and professional identity; and to identify ways healthcare professionals can support them.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following COREQ guidelines, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 professional women undergoing ART in a tertiary care hospital. Reflexive Thematic Analysis bolstered by interdisciplinary investigator triangulation (clinical and basic science) ensured thematic confirmability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis revealed <i>Gendered Occupational Asymmetry</i> (female occupational burden regardless of clinical aetiology), the <i>Insider Paradox</i> (the role reversal for healthcare professionals) and the <i>Workplace Panopticon</i> (constant self-surveillance to preserve professional authority). Interestingly, work simultaneously often acted as a <i>Sanctuary of Competence</i>, providing psychological respite. Finally, narratives exposed an <i>Existential Rumination</i> (mourning past personal-professional decisions) and permanent temporal career stalling. These themes were further mapped onto a 'A Day in the Life' structural framework to illustrate compounding daily burdens.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Current clinical lifestyle directives inadequately account for the rigid psycho-socioeconomic structures governing professional women. Based on identified themes, we propose targeted measures for healthcare professionals to deliver patient-centric care by integrating occupational awareness and identity-sensitive counselling into routine ART practice, thereby potentially reducing distress and improving treatment experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"48 1","pages":"2742884"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2027-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149129006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kelly Mover, Nicole Shirvani, Walter Wills, Suzanne Lababidi, Terrika Jones, Bryna Peplinski
{"title":"Epidemiology of bipolar disorder with concomitant pregnancy-induced hypertension and associated pharmacotherapies in the United States, Canada and Saudi Arabia over a five-year period (2019-2023).","authors":"Kelly Mover, Nicole Shirvani, Walter Wills, Suzanne Lababidi, Terrika Jones, Bryna Peplinski","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2025.2609622","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2025.2609622","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rates of hypertensive disorders affecting pregnancy are increasing, and bipolar disorder is more common in pregnancy than previously thought.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The authors investigated differences in the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy between those with and without bipolar disorder (BPD) and between those receiving and not receiving pharmacotherapy for BPD. Differences in the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in those with BPD between those on prophylactic aspirin (ASA) and not, were also examined.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>EPIC COSMOS was used to examine records from 2019 to 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The authors found a meaningful difference in proportions between those with and without BPD when observing development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy across years. Slightly increased odds of hypertensive disorders were found among those reporting BPD pharmacotherapy compared to those not. Slightly increased odds of hypertensive disorders occurred in those with BPD reporting ASA.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The increased odds among those reporting BPD pharmacotherapy could be due to sequelae of disease, medication used, or comorbidities. These findings further corroborate prior evidence of the increasing prevalence of both maternal health complications and mental health disorders int eh United States.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2609622"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145999612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Portuguese version of ENDOPAIN-4D questionnaire.","authors":"Rita Almendra, Emanuel Egas Araújo, Diana Natacha Sousa, Cristina Nogueira-Silva","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2643521","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2643521","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The endometriosis painful symptoms-4 dimensions ENDOPAIN-4D is a multidimensional questionnaire designed to assess endometriosis-related pain. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate ENDOPAIN-4D for European Portuguese.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Translation and content validity assessment were assessed in 32 women with endometriosis. For psychometric validation, 386 patients completed an online sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Portuguese ENDOPAIN-4D, and the Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30 (EHP-30). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, item-total correlation, and concurrent validity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Factor analysis of the \"usual pain\" dimension supported the original four-factor structure, accounting for 63.7% of variance (Cronbach's <i>α </i>= 0.91). A novel three-factor structure was identified for the \"worst pain\" dimension, previously psychometrically untested, with good internal consistency (Cronbach's <i>α </i>= 0.83) and acceptable item-total correlations. Concurrent validity with the EHP-30 ranged from weak to strong across domains.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Portuguese ENDOPAIN-4D is a culturally adapted and validated instrument for multidimensional pain assessment in European Portuguese women with endometriosis, with validity likely limited for other Portuguese-speaking communities. The newly identified three-factor structure for worst pain may aid individualized pain management and follow-up in clinical and psychosomatic care. Further studies should evaluate concurrent validity and the stability and responsiveness of the new algorithms.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2643521"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147436952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Psychological factors impeding the progress of labor: case observations and the need for a multidisciplinary approach.","authors":"Halime Şule Selman, Neşe Karabekir","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2750654","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2750654","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This report aims to draw attention to the potential role of psychological factors in impaired labor progression and to highlight the potential value of a multidisciplinary approach, including birth psychotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively reviewed four clinical observations of impaired or arrested labor progression associated with psychological factors without identifiable obstetric pathology. Care involved obstetricians and midwives, with individualized psychological consultation when indicated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The cases involved negative childbirth conditioning, acute grief, fear of maternal inadequacy, and previous birth trauma. In two cases, labor arrest was followed by emergency cesarean delivery for fetal distress; both women subsequently achieved uncomplicated vaginal births after cesarean following birth psychotherapy. In a third case, labor arrested at 7 cm dilation and resumed after a 30-minute remote psychological consultation, followed by vaginal birth within approximately 30 minutes. The fourth case involved successful vaginal birth after cesarean with antenatal birth psychotherapy and continuous multidisciplinary support.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These observations suggest that psychological distress may contribute to impaired labor progression in selected cases. Individualized psychological support within collaborative obstetric and midwifery care may be beneficial. Given the small, descriptive case series, causal conclusions cannot be drawn.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2750654"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identifying underlying factors in risk factors and emotional sequelae self-attributed to abortion: development and validation of a brief assessment tool.","authors":"David C Reardon","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2654140","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2654140","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Risk factors for adverse emotional and psychological reactions to abortion have not been studied for their interactions. This study used factor analytic methods to develop concise screening scales for pre-abortion risk and post-abortion outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A topic-blind electronic survey was administered to a random sample of U.S. women aged 41-45. Among 2,191 respondents with reproductive histories, 466 (21.3%) reported a prior induced abortion; 409 completed the full survey. Participants rated 10 risk-factor and 25 outcome statements using 0-100 visual analog scales. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified latent constructs, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested model fit, and structural equation modeling (SEM) assessed relationships between risk and outcome factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Risk-factor EFA supported two domains: attachment/support and internal conflict. Outcome EFA identified three domains: internalized distress, intrusive symptoms, and behavioral risks. CFA demonstrated good fit (CFI > .90; RMSEA < .08). SEM showed attachment/support more strongly predicted internalized distress (<i>β</i> = .65), intrusive symptoms (<i>β</i> = .58), and behavioral risks (<i>β</i> = .34) than internal conflict (<i>β</i> = .21-.30). Attachment/support and behavioral risks predicted greater survey-related stress (R² = .30).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Two core risk dimensions predict post-abortion emotional and behavioral outcomes, supporting further development of factor-based screening tools for counseling.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2654140"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147610552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jorina Holtrop, Amber A A Ten Buuren, Noralie N Schonewille, Carlinde W Broeks, Maria G van Pampus, Birit F P Broekman
{"title":"Mode of delivery in women with versus without psychiatric vulnerability.","authors":"Jorina Holtrop, Amber A A Ten Buuren, Noralie N Schonewille, Carlinde W Broeks, Maria G van Pampus, Birit F P Broekman","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2699108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2026.2699108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Maternal mental health during pregnancy may influence obstetric outcomes. This study examines associations between psychiatric vulnerability [PV]-defined as current or past psychiatric disorder-and mode of delivery and its indication.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a large Dutch maternity hospital. Primiparous women aged ≥ 18 with singleton pregnancies were included between January 2015 and March 2020.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 705 women with and 837 women without PV were included. No differences in delivery method were found between these groups. However, women using psychotropic medication had significantly higher odds of undergoing an assisted vaginal delivery [AVD] than a spontaneous vaginal delivery [SVD] (aOR = 2.00). Indications related to maternal mental health for unplanned caesarean section [CS] were exclusively observed in the group with PV (3.4%). No differences were observed in obstetric or fetal indications.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although mode of delivery did not differ between women with and without PV, women using psychotropic medications had higher risks for undergoing an AVD than a SVD. Only in a small proportion of women with PV, maternal mental health constituted an indication for unplanned CS. Further research is warranted to better understand the intersection of PV and psychotropic medication on delivery method.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2699108"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Uterine fibroids and their role in sexual disorders in women - a mini-review and opinion on an important but marginalized problem.","authors":"Joanna Głogowska, Jakub Kociuba, Michał Ciebiera","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2723609","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2026.2723609","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To review the impact of uterine fibroids on women's sexual health and to highlight this often underreported aspect of clinical care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative review of the literature on uterine fibroids and female sexual dysfunction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Uterine fibroids are the most common benign uterine tumors, significantly impacting women's sexual health, yet this issue remains underreported in clinical practice. Symptomatic patients often suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding and progressive anemia, which reduces their overall quality of life and sexual desire. Factors such as severe dyspareunia, pelvic pressure and psychological distress-including fear of pain and low self-esteem-further contribute to impaired arousal and orgasm. Although surgical interventions such as myomectomy and hysterectomy often improve sexual function by alleviating physical symptoms, outcomes can vary depending on the surgical technique and potential nerve damage.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clinicians should use validated tools to assess sexual health in women with uterine fibroids, which would lead to more comprehensive, patient-centered care.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2723609"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148898356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Psychological hardiness and coping behaviour implementation in Japanese menopausal women: a cross-sectional survey of stress, coping strategies, and their translation into behaviour.","authors":"Kazuho Konno","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2682763","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2682763","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Menopausal symptoms are complex psychosomatic experiences influenced by psychological resources and behavioural coping processes, in addition to hormonal changes. Although coping strategies have been widely examined, the factors associated with the implementation of coping behaviours remain unclear. This study examined how psychological hardiness relates to coping strategies, coping behaviour implementation, and menopausal symptoms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional survey of 198 women aged 45-55 years assessed menopausal symptoms, daily stress, hardiness, coping strategies, and coping behaviour implementation. Coping behaviour implementation for menopausal symptoms was defined as self-reporting of practicing at least one coping behaviour. Coping behaviour implementation was evaluated as a behavioural outcome measure. Group comparisons and multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women with higher hardiness reported lower psychological and somatic symptom severity and greater use of active coping strategies. Most coping strategies were not directly associated with symptom severity. Logistic regression showed that coping behaviour implementation was positively associated with psychological symptoms and commitment, and negatively associated with responsibility shifting.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Psychological hardiness, particularly commitment, is associated with coping behaviour implementation rather than directly reducing symptoms. These finding suggest that psychological engagement may be relevant to adaptive self-management during menopause.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2682763"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148151953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}