Frontiers in reproductive health最新文献

{"title":"Preoperative imaging for endometriosis awareness: an online survey study.","authors":"Bassem Gerges, Allie Eathorne, George Condous","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1917458","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1917458","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In 2024, an international consensus statement on non-invasive imaging techniques for the diagnosis of pelvic deep endometriosis was published, recommending transvaginal sonography as the first-line imaging modality because of cost, availability, and low impact on the environment. Despite the increasing body of evidence supporting the use of imaging in the preoperative diagnosis of endometriosis, there is a paucity of data to confirm patient awareness. The aim of this study was to use an online survey or questionnaire from patients to collect quantitative data regarding their awareness, exposure, and experience with preoperative imaging for the diagnosis of endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional study, based on an online, international survey completed by patients with self-reported endometriosis from multiple online endometriosis groups. The survey went live from November 2025 to March 2026 and consisted of women and gender-diverse individuals with self-reported endometriosis, with a minimum required number of 100 participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 180 participants started the survey, of which 142 (78.9%) completed the exercise. The mean age of the participants was 31.6 [standard deviation (SD) 8.7] years, with a median time of endometriosis diagnosis of 2 years (interquartile range 1-5), of whom 99 (69.7%) had at least one surgery, with a mean number of surgeries of 1.8 (SD 1.2). The majority of participants were from Australia (66.2%), followed by Canada (16.9%), New Zealand (11.3%), and the United Kingdom (2.1%), and an equal number were from Brazil, India, the Philippines, and Spain (0.7% each). Overall, 53.5% of participants agreed that endometriosis can be diagnosed without surgery, while only 32.4% agreed that bowel endometriosis can be diagnosed before surgery. Of these, the percentages of participants who agreed that bowel endometriosis can be preoperatively diagnosed with ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and colonoscopy were 32%, 35%, 15%, and 15%, respectively. The participants obtained knowledge about endometriosis investigations and treatments from various sources, including their gynecologists (71.8%), general practitioners (57%), fertility specialists (11.3%), family members (12%), friends (21.8%), social media (68.3%), and other sources (29.6%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a disparity between participant awareness in our study and the evidence in the literature regarding the availability and accuracy of preoperative imaging for the diagnosis of deep endometriosis, possibly due to the misinformation disseminated via social media<b>.</b></p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1917458"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13582178/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148992739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"BRIDGES: a patient-centered, community-informed HIV doula program that supports infant feeding choice among Hispanic and Caribbean families: a study protocol.","authors":"Rachel Mpanu-Mpanu, Melanie Francis, Kassandra N Garcia, Lunthita M Duthely","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1896729","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1896729","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;In 2023, U.S. Perinatal HIV Guidelines shifted from recommending exclusive formula feeding to endorsing shared decision-making for infant feeding among pregnant and postpartum persons with HIV (PPWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with sustained viral suppression. While the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding is small (&lt; 1%) with sustained viral suppression, adherence protocols are complex and clinical support infrastructure remains underdeveloped. Doula care has demonstrated benefits for breastfeeding initiation, maternal anxiety reduction, and postpartum follow-up, yet no studies have examined HIV-specialized doula programs supporting infant feeding choice among non-English speaking PPWH in North America.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;Using a patient-centered, community-informed framework, BRIDGES (BReast and Infant feeding Doulas to address Gaps in Education and Support) is an HIV Doula education and support program designed to improve maternal/child health outcomes and reduce perinatal transmission. The program aims to support heterogeneous infant feeding options through doula-mediated prenatal education, ART adherence support, lactation counseling, and postnatal care coordination.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;In collaboration with the Pediatric Community Advisory Board, South Florida Health Departments' Perinatal HIV Programs, and University of Miami (UM) Ob/Gyn, a doula-based intervention was developed for pregnant and postpartum women with HIV. The study employs a sequential mixed-methods design: Aim 1 builds the BRIDGES intervention through community engagement, embedding an Infant Feeding Choice Community Advisory Group; Aim 2 evaluates BRIDGES in a single-arm interventional study of 15 mother-baby dyads. Data collection includes sociodemographic, clinical, obstetrical, and psychosocial measures (HIV stigma, medical mistrust, resilience), along with individual and group interviews. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guides evaluation of implementation determinants.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The BRIDGES intervention pairs each mother-infant dyad with an HIV-trained doula from enrollment during pregnancy through 12 weeks postpartum. The doula supplements clinic education with prenatal education on infant feeding options (breastfeeding, formula, banked donor milk), ART adherence support, lactation counseling, and guidance on clinical monitoring protocols specific to feeding choice. Clinical monitoring protocols differentiate between breastfeeding dyads (monthly maternal viral load, infant ARV prophylaxis until weaning, enhanced infant HIV testing) and formula-feeding dyads (standard of care).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Significance: &lt;/strong&gt;BRIDGES addresses a critical gap at the intersection of evolving HIV infant feeding guidelines and doula-supported perinatal care. This intervention was shaped by a collaborative effort that ensures its cultural relevance, linguistic","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1896729"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13562238/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148957396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends in obesity prevalence during early pregnancy in Gran Canaria, Spain, 1993 to 2022.","authors":"Inmaculada Bautista-Castaño, Helmut Schröder, Laura Molero Sala, Alicia Inmaculada Martín Martinez, Verónica Dávila-Batista, Luis Peña Quintana, Lluis Serra-Majem","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1922881","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1922881","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The global prevalence of obesity has increasingly affected women of reproductive age, leading to several adverse outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and for their newborns. The objective of this study was to estimate time trends in early pregnancy among women who delivered live births in Gran Canaria (Spain) from 1993 to 2022 with stratified analysis by age, educational level, and parity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from 178,305 pregnant women who delivered at the Maternal & Child University Hospital of Gran Canaria (HUMIGC) between 1993 and 2022. The study period was divided into three intervals: 1993-2001, 2002-2010, and 2011-2022. Trends of early pregnancy obesity prevalence were examined globally and by educational level, age groups, and parity categories. Analysis was performed by multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounder variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of obesity in early pregnancy increased significantly from 8.3% (95% CI 8.0-9.0) in 1993 to 22.5% (95% CI 21.0-24.0) in 2022. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, educational level, and parity revealed that obesity increased significantly in 2002-2010 (OR 1.73. 95% CI: 1.67-1.95) and further in 2011-2022 (OR 2.59, 95% CI 2.50-2.69) compared to 1993-2001. This upward trend was observed across all age groups, educational levels, and parity categories. Formal interaction analyses showed that the increase over time differed significantly according to age, educational level, and parity (all <i>p</i> for interaction < 0.001), with the greatest increases among women with university education and primiparous women.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The prevalence of obesity during early pregnancy significantly increased in Gran Canaria (Spain) between 1993 and 2022. This increase was consistent across age groups, educational levels, and parity categories. Prenatal counselling should be implemented to help overweight women lose weight before pregnancy, ensuring they are fully informed about the potential risk of excess weight on pregnancy, childbirth, and neonatal outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1922881"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553775/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Swadamshtradi rasayana attenuates radiofrequency radiation-induced oxidative stress and improves sperm parameters in Swiss albino mice.","authors":"Vahab Rahimkutty Abdul, Meera Sudha, Neenu Prakash Easwaramangalath, Delvin T Robin, Anusree Dileep, Vandana Rani Madhavan","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1912688","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1912688","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) has been linked in several studies to male reproductive dysfunction, with oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage proposed as key underlying mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present study evaluated the protective effect of Swadamshtradi rasayana (SDR) against RF-EMR-induced sperm alterations in mice. Twenty-four Swiss albino mice were allocated into four groups: control, RF-EMR-exposed, RF-EMR with Swadamshtradi rasayana (729 mg/kg, orally), and RF-EMR with <i>α</i>-tocopherol (32.4 mg/kg, orally). Animals were exposed to RF-EMR (900-1800MHz) for 3 h/day for 35 days, and sperm count, viability, reactive oxygen species levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RF-EMR exposure was associated with a significant reduction in sperm count and viability and a significant increase in ROS levels, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation (<i>p</i> < 0.0001 compared with control). Administration of Swadamshtradi rasayana significantly improved sperm parameters and attenuated oxidative stress compared with the RF-EMR-exposed group (<i>p</i> < 0.0001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings suggest that Swadamshtradi rasayana may mitigate RF-EMR-induced oxidative stress and associated sperm damage. The observed protective effects are consistent with the reported antioxidant properties of its constituent herbs.</p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1912688"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553956/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Maternal stress in pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes among women living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Paige L Williams, Jessica Lee, Deborah Kacanek, Ellen G Chadwick, Haleigh Civiletto, Claire A Berman, Ann Aschengrau, Liz Salomon, Sue Siminski, Kathleen M Powis","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1900562","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1900562","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stress, depression, and racial discrimination occurring in pregnant women have demonstrated associations with adverse birth outcomes, but their role during and after the COVID-19 pandemic among women living with HIV (WLHIV) has not been evaluated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted surveys in pregnant and postpartum WLHIV participating in the US-based SMARTT study, asking them to report their experiences of social distancing, trauma and violence, and changes in housing, income, sleep and energy levels resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Women were also asked about their levels of perceived stress during pregnancy, experiences of discrimination, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Log-binomial regression models were used to evaluate associations of pandemic-related factors with perceived stress; linear and log-binomial models were used to evaluate associations of perceived stress with adverse birth outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 125 WLHIV, 36.0% reported stress during pregnancy, 12.2% had moderate/severe depression symptoms, and 17.5% reported high discrimination levels. In adjusted models, social distancing behavior, impact of the pandemic on daily life, change in housing status, intimate partner violence, poor sleep quality, lower energy levels, and moderate/severe depression symptoms were associated with two- to five-fold higher risk of perceived stress in pregnancy. However, no association was observed between perceived stress and adverse birth outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Among WLHIV, over one-third experienced stress during pregnancy, associated with social distancing, trauma and violence, and other changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Optimal strategies are needed to screen pregnant and postpartum WLHIV for stress and mental health conditions and provide appropriate support during public health emergencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1900562"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13550161/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148914617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breastmilk transfer and infant exposure to atazanavir/ritonavir in breastfeeding women with HIV: results from IMPAACT 2026.","authors":"Emily Anne Barr, Mauricio Pinilla, Jeremiah D Momper, Ahizechukwu C Eke, Lucy Koech, Kristina M Brooks, Victoria Ndyanabangi, Sandra K Burchett, Sujith Valiyaparambil, Mark Mirochnick, Alice Marie Stek, Brookie M Best, Rachael Jeffrey, Chelsea Stotz, Marije Van Schalkwyk, Renee Browning, David E Shapiro, Kathleen M Powis","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1892081","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1892081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breastfeeding offers significant health benefits, and guidance for women with HIV increasingly emphasizes individualized, informed infant-feeding decisions. Breastmilk antiretroviral transfer and safety data are needed to inform shared decision-making discussions across all settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Breastmilk transfer of ritonavir (RTV)-boosted atazanavir (ATV) was evaluated in the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) 2026 study. Fourteen breastfeeding women with HIV receiving RTV boosted ATV 100/300 mg daily, as part of a multi-drug regimen, and their infants were enrolled in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa between 5 and 9 days postpartum and followed through age 16-24 weeks. Paired maternal plasma, breastmilk, and infant plasma samples were collected at each visit. Concentrations were measured using validated LC-MS/MS methods. Relative infant dose (RID) was estimated assuming an infant milk intake of 150 mL/kg/day. Safety outcomes were prospectively assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 14 women reported exclusive breastfeeding. Median maternal plasma and breastmilk concentrations were 1,410 ng/mL and 432 ng/mL for ATV, and 217 ng/mL and 13.6 ng/mL for RTV, respectively. Median breastmilk-to-plasma ratios were 0.253 (ATV) and 0.081 (RTV). RID values were 1.27% (maximum 6.43%) for ATV and 0.12% (maximum 1.10%) for RTV. Infant plasma concentrations were below the lower limit of quantitation (ATV 23.4 ng/mL; RTV 9.8 ng/mL) in all 42 samples. No maternal adverse events occurred; three infants experienced unrelated grade 2 events.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this cohort, ATV and RTV were detectable in maternal plasma and breastmilk but not in infant plasma, with low RID estimates and a favorable safety profile.</p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1892081"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523135/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148852023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intersecting stigma, social exclusion and coping mechanisms among women living with obstetric fistula in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study.","authors":"Nawara Sulemana Abilla, Ernestina Asiedua, Joyce B P Pwavra, Salamatu Issah, Ephraim Senkyire","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1923194","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1923194","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obstetric fistula is a preventable childbirth injury that remains socially devastating for women in low-resource settings. Existing evidence on obstetric fistula stigma is largely derived from treatment centres and urban settings, leaving limited understanding of the lived experiences of women in underserved rural communities. This study addresses this knowledge gap by qualitatively examining stigma, coping strategies, and support needs among obstetric fistula survivors in Kpandai District, northern Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. Fourteen women aged 30-70 years who were living with obstetric fistula were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling until data saturation was reached. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach. Link and Phelan's stigma framework informed the analytic interpretation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five themes were generated: labelling and stereotypes, separation from community, status loss and discrimination, coping mechanisms, and recommendations and support needs. Participants described name-calling, association of fistula with sin or curses, abandonment by relatives, exclusion from social and religious gatherings, and loss of social respect. Coping strategies included faith and spirituality, concealment of leakage and odour, withdrawal from public spaces, and limited psychosocial support from relatives or friends. Participants prioritised accessible fistula treatment, community education, livelihood support, and social inclusion.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Obstetric fistula-related stigma extends beyond the physical injury, profoundly affecting women's social identity, dignity, and wellbeing. Comprehensive survivor-centred care that integrates surgical repair with psychosocial support, community stigma reduction, livelihood restoration, and strengthened referral systems is essential to promote successful reintegration and improve long-term health and social outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1923194"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13541671/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148898458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feminine hygiene products and black women's reproductive health: a review of health inequities, racialized marketing, and practice implications.","authors":"Wendasha Jenkins Hall, Ibriana Garvey","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1903781","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1903781","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Feminine hygiene products (FHPs), including douches, washes, and deodorants, are widely marketed as tools for maintaining vaginal cleanliness and freshness despite evidence linking some products to adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Black women have historically been disproportionately targeted by FHP marketing and use certain products at higher rates, raising concerns about the intersection of vaginal hygiene practices, health inequities, and structural stigma. This review synthesizes historical, public health, clinical, and sociocultural scholarship on FHPs and Black women's reproductive health, with particular attention to the role of racialized marketing, cultural norms surrounding vaginal hygiene, and patient-provider communication. The literature suggests that FHP use cannot be understood solely as an individual health behavior but must be situated within broader historical, social, and structural contexts that shape health beliefs and practices. Greater attention to culturally responsive healthcare communication, evidence-based patient education, and regulatory oversight is needed to support vaginal health and reduce reproductive health inequities among Black women.</p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1903781"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13542635/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148898474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Infertile women's experience of stressful dilemmas during assisted reproductive technology treatment.","authors":"Li Deng, Ya Li, Fang Wang, Jitao Zeng, Yuyan Li, Wei He, Jiarui Yao, Shan Meng","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1886332","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1886332","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to explore the unique stress experiences and multidimensional stress dilemmas of infertile women during assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment in the Chinese cultural context.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifteen infertile women undergoing ART treatment at a tertiary hospital in Chongqing were recruited for semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Guided by descriptive phenomenology, interview data were analyzed using the Colaizzi phenomenological approach with NVivo software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three core stress dimensions were identified; while these stress categories align with findings from Western research, their experiential manifestations are shaped by local Chinese sociocultural contexts: subjective stress dilemmas (negative emotions, body image distress, cognitive biases, and internalized stigma shaped by traditional fertility norms), objective stress dilemmas (work-treatment conflicts, limited family/spousal support, and heavy financial/time burdens under local social policies), and coping dilemmas (ineffective self-regulation and insufficient culturally tailored external support).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Stress-related struggles reported by sampled Chongqing women share common stress categories documented in Western cohorts, yet their concrete manifestations and perceived severity are distinctly shaped by local Chinese sociocultural norms. These findings highlight the necessity of developing culturally sensitive psychological interventions and social support strategies for infertile women in China, providing a novel localized perspective for global reproductive mental health research.</p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1886332"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13538428/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148889591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is age a critical indicator for determining the optimal abstinence duration in patients undergoing sperm acquisition?","authors":"Yifu Wang, Shenghui Zhu, Houbin Zheng, Hai Lin, Zhiyong Zhu, Huang Liu, Yu Zhou","doi":"10.3389/frph.2026.1921505","DOIUrl":"10.3389/frph.2026.1921505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sperm cryopreservation is increasingly recognized as a key strategy for fertility preservation, particularly for male infertility patients who may benefit from assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the optimal abstinence period for maximizing semen quality prior to cryopreservation remains unclear, and whether this optimum varies with patient age has not been systematically investigated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively analyzed semen parameters from male patients who underwent sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation at Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Hospital. Patients were stratified by age (<40 years vs. ≥40 years). Semen samples were collected after different abstinence durations (0-2, 3-5, 6-7 and ≥7 days). Sperm quality indicators-including volume, concentration, motility, and progressive motility-were compared across abstinence groups within each age stratum.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that among patients aged over 40 years, sperm quality was optimal after 0-2 days of abstinence despite reductions in semen volume and concentration. By contrast, in younger patients (under 40 years), the highest semen quality was observed following 3-5 days of abstinence. Additionally, prolonged abstinence periods were linked to unstable semen quality in the older patient group, making them less ideal candidates for sperm cryopreservation.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study is the first to demonstrate that the relationship between abstinence duration and sperm quality is strongly modified by patient age. Our findings indicate that older patients achieve better and more consistent outcomes with shorter abstinence. The findings offer new perspectives for guiding sperm cryopreservation and determining the optimal timing for sperm retrieval in patients of different age groups to improve sperm quality and increase success rates in assisted reproductive outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":73103,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in reproductive health","volume":"8 ","pages":"1921505"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13530003/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148875977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}