Women's health (London, England)最新文献

{"title":"Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Asian women with endometriosis in Canada: A photovoice study.","authors":"Kerry Marshall, A Fuchsia Howard, Nisha Marshall, Heather Noga, Natasha L Orr, Hannah E Rojas, Anna Leonova, Jessica Sutherland, Erin Fernie, Vinita Puri, Roop Bassra, Paul J Yong","doi":"10.1177/17455057251414300","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251414300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis affects approximately 190 million people globally and 2 million in Canada. Experiences of endometriosis can profoundly impact all aspects of life, including physical, mental, and financial well-being. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted endometriosis care, mental health outcomes, and increased overt racism towards Asian people internationally.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>In this study, we aimed to describe the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Asian women living with endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Qualitative, photovoice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used photovoice, an arts-based methodology, and thematic analyses of 22 interviews with East, South, and Southeast Asian cisgender women living in Canada regarding their experiences with endometriosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participant photographs and narratives conveyed how the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in their lives, which influenced the ways they navigated, managed, and coped with endometriosis symptoms and, ultimately, their mental health. Some disruptions were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and impacted mental health, including worsening of and inability to manage symptoms as usual, deepening isolation and disconnection from self and society, and turbulent and transformational experiences in interpersonal relationships. Other disruptions were unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic, including endometriosis invisibility and invalidation, the burden of necessary overplanning, and the complexities of grappling with uncertain fertility. Participants commonly described experiencing feelings of guilt, uncertainty, lack of control, fear, hopelessness, grief, anxiety, and depression.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated disruptions affecting the mental health of participants, disruptions unrelated to COVID-19 remained in participants' lives. Considering the latter was particularly impactful on the mental health of participants as these disruptions existed prior to - and would continue beyond - the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057251414300"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12861374/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146101062","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":"HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and PEP-in-pocket (PIP) for women: A rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis.","authors":"Tamara Barnett, Rafique Van Uum, Parsa Ebrahimpoor Mashhadi, Agustina Crespi, Hadeeka Tahir, Sajeela Rana, Carlee Giffen, Catriona J Buick, Karla N Fisher, Isaac I Bogoch, Karen A Campbell, Roya Haghiri-Vijeh, Mia J Biondi","doi":"10.1177/17455057261457909","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261457909","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundHIV prevalence among cis and trans women is increasing, yet prevention medication uptake remains low. Despite extensive literature regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), less is known about post-exposure interventions for women. Among women, non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is mainly used in sexual assault centres and rarely otherwise. PEP-in-Pocket (PIP) is a self-initiated PEP option for infrequent high-risk exposures (<4/year) and could offer women more agency over their sexual health. PIP, an evolution of PEP endorsed by international guidelines, may better address women's diverse needs, yet remains understudied and underutilized.ObjectiveTo develop a clear contextual understanding of PEP and PIP in the context of women based on its current use in the literature.DesignRodgers' Evolutionary Concept Analysis. Rodger's methodology is a flexible, non-linear approach suited for evolving health concepts and involves three phases: conceptualizing the concept; identifying key attributes, antecedents, and consequences; and interpreting findings to inform future research.Data sourcesScholarly peer-reviewed literature.MethodsA systematic search (January 2012-May 2025) across Medline, Emcare, and Global Health identified 33 relevant studies. Two reviewers screened and extracted texts using Covidence. Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis was used to examine PEP and PIP among cis and trans women.ResultsPEP attributes include reactive use after exposure, clinical initiation, and time-sensitive access. Key attributes of PIP include self-initiation, episodic use, autonomy, and accessibility outside healthcare settings. Shared antecedents include barriers to access, and the need for alternative HIV prevention strategies. PIP-specific antecedents include infrequent high-risk exposures and a desire for greater individual control, especially among those who may not interact with healthcare providers. Consequences of both strategies include reduced HIV risk and expanded options. Overall, the literature on PIP was limited, but increased agency, empowerment, and potential to fill HIV prevention gaps were noted.ConclusionsPEP and PIP are promising, women-centered HIV prevention strategies that support autonomy and timely care but remain underutilized. This analysis identifies significant gaps in research and implementation for women, underscoring the need for further investigation to advance equitable HIV prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261457909"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13230669/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148152537","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":"Denying humanitarian aid in a war zone: The intersecting impacts of the war on Gaza on adolescent girls' and young women's health.","authors":"Joost Vintges, Bassam Abu Hamad, Riyad Diab, Shoroq Abuhamad, Nicola Jones","doi":"10.1177/17455057251414296","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251414296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Since the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, Israel has carried out an intensive bombing campaign and implemented a complete siege on Gaza, permitting extremely limited humanitarian aid. This has created a humanitarian catastrophe, yet little evidence exists on how it is experienced by adolescent girls and young women. A critical but overlooked challenge in conflict-affected contexts is the specific health needs of girls and young women, including menstrual hygiene management and sexual and reproductive health. In conflict, women and girls often struggle to access contraceptives, menstrual products, clean water and healthcare services, leading to significant immediate and longer-term risks.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This article explored these challenges in Gaza, examining how the intersecting impacts of the humanitarian crisis are affecting adolescent girls' and young women's basic needs and health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>It draws on a sequential mixed methods cross-sectional research study undertaken between August and December 2024.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study combined data from a household survey (<i>n</i> = 1011) of young people aged 10-24, with qualitative data from in-depth interviews (<i>n</i> = 100) and key informant interviews (<i>n</i> = 24).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings underscore severe and intersecting financial, physical and social obstacles in fulfilling girls' and young women's basic health needs in the context of the hostilities in Gaza, threatening their physical and mental health. Restricted access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene services and menstrual products heighten health risks, while the collapse of maternal health services threatens mothers and children. These deprivations are exacerbated by poverty from disrupted livelihoods and conservative gender norms that hinder girls' mobility and emphasise modesty, which is difficult to maintain in displacement contexts.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on adolescent girls and young women and the urgency of preventative and responsive actions to address their health needs and uphold their rights to health.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057251414296"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12924936/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146260470","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":"Beyond BMI: The musculoskeletal and metabolic consequences of normal weight obesity across the female lifespan.","authors":"Frost A, Hirsch K R, Josse A R, Gagnon S, Smith-Ryan A E, Ormsbee M J, Chandler A J, Baker P A, Meyer J E, Davis R N, Schwartz M, Church D D, Pearson J R, Prado C M, Saenz C, Sanders D J, Candow D G","doi":"10.1177/17455057261455585","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261455585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Obesity is a global health concern linked to prediabetes, hypertension, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. However, body mass index (BMI) has limited sensitivity, misclassifying over half of individuals with excess adiposity as having normal weight. Growing evidence identifies a subgroup with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m²) but elevated body fat (>25% in men, >30% in women), termed normal weight obesity (NWO). Women are at a two-to six-fold higher risk of developing NWO compared to men. To investigate this, an expert review of the literature was conducted utilizing PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to explore the impact of excess adiposity in the context of NWO, emphasizing female physiology across the lifespan and its influence on skeletal muscle and bone health. Many women with NWO remain unaware of underlying hormonal or menstrual dysregulation until challenges arise with fertility or during mid-life transitions. Metabolic disturbances during perimenopause occur independently of obesity but are likely worsened by excess adiposity despite a normal BMI. In postmenopause, the shift from estradiol to estrone and overall estrogen reduction accelerates bone resorption, leading to declines in bone density and strength, and increased fracture risk. Genetic variations in fat distribution, lean mass, and body proportions further modify disease risk among racial and ethnic groups. In women, increased adipose tissue often occurs in the hips and gluteal regions, predisposing to fatty acid infiltration within muscle (myosteatosis), which has been associated with reduced muscle quality outcomes (e.g. muscular strength) and increased falls in older adults. Increasing skeletal muscle mass may improve adiponectin levels, supporting metabolic health, while leptin dysregulation promotes lipid accumulation and inflammation. Higher adiposity, as seen in NWO, impairs bone microstructure and increases fragility through inflammatory pathways. In conclusion, NWO is an underrecognized yet clinically significant condition that elevates women's risk for metabolic, hormonal, muscoskeletal dysfunction despite a normal BMI.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261455585"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13219945/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148045133","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":"Birth preparedness among women in early labor: A qualitative study in Durban, South Africa.","authors":"Yvonne Munyaneza, Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo","doi":"10.1177/17455057251411071","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057251411071","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The high maternal and neonatal deaths recorded in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, present a serious challenge. Sub-Saharan countries still record the highest mortality ratio and even the highest in the developing world. It is reported that five major complications such as obstructed labor, unsafe abortion, high blood pressure during pregnancy, hemorrhage, and infection are responsible for this high mortality rate, which could be prevented through birth preparedness program, adequate health education, and information sharing, including the use of social media in attempt to educate every expectant woman regarding birth preparedness.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess birth preparedness among women in early labor at selected hospitals.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A qualitative descriptive approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive qualitative research study, conducted among expectant women in early labor and three focus group discussions. Data were collected and analyzed from participants using face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Participants for this study were pregnant women in early labor with gestational ages between 36 and 41 weeks, as the study excluded the mothers who were in preterm labor.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine themes emerged from the data: understanding of birth preparedness, perceived benefits of birth preparedness, women's responsibilities in birth preparedness, roles of healthcare workers in birth preparedness, timing of birth preparedness activities, women's choices regarding delivery location, pregnancy complication readiness, sources of information on motherhood and birth preparedness, and barriers to birth preparedness. Several categories emerged under each theme, and the results revealed that understanding of birth preparedness was associated with mental, emotional, financial, and physical preparedness. Participants reported barriers associated with budget limitations, lack of information, healthcare workers' attitudes, unplanned pregnancies, and cultural beliefs. Healthcare workers were abusive and displayed negative attitudes toward expectant women.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Challenges affecting the status of birth preparedness among expectant mothers can be understood and therefore preventable. Interventions need to enforce already existing maternity health protocols and leverage innovation and technology to reduce the morbidity and mortality of pregnant women and neonates.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057251411071"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519190/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815161","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":"\"Give me the sense that I matter:\" Queer women's recommendations for an ideal cervical cancer screening exam and pathways to screening equity.","authors":"Deana M Williams, Shawn Reilly, Tanisha Lord, Kara Ayers, Sage Kissiah-Grove, Marissa Robinson, Lyda Fong, Joseph Angel","doi":"10.1177/17455057261428108","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261428108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer screening is a powerful tool in the prevention, early detection, and diagnosis of precancers and cancer. There is mounting evidence, however, demonstrating that Queer cisgender women experience disparities in cervical cancer screening access and uptake compared to their heterosexual counterparts. To close gaps in screening, Queer women's voices and visions must foreground recommendations aimed at remedying screening inequities.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aims to explore perceptions on an ideal cervical cancer screening exam among a racially and ethnically diverse group of Queer women.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This qualitative interview study is led in partnership with a multidisciplinary community steering committee. Our work is grounded in the Reproductive Justice Framework.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We held in-depth interviews with 19 Queer women to understand their recommendations for improving cervical cancer screening experiences for their community. Data from these interviews were analyzed through thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified five themes around creating an ideal cervical cancer screening experience among Queer women: (1) community outreach and education, (2) cues of affirmation and safety, (3) Queer patient navigation and advocacy, (4) Queer-affirming and knowledgeable providers, and (5) trauma-informed care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Engaging Queer women in developing solutions to address screening disparities is a missing link in cervical cancer prevention and the advancement of reproductive health equity. We share actionable strategies at the healthcare professional, community, and organizational levels to support healthcare systems in translating Queer women's visions into practice. Our findings also inform medical organizations, expert panels, and health authorities on patient-defined strategies and pathways to remedying screening inequity.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261428108"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12988298/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147446096","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":"Measuring menstrual hygiene in high-income countries: A scoping review.","authors":"Mintesnot Tenkir Teni, Jamirah Abdul-Haqq, Edvanio Fernandes, Anne Sebert Kuhlmann","doi":"10.1177/17455057261430205","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261430205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite growing recognition of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) challenges in high-income countries (HICs), validated measurement tools specific to the context and experiences of these populations are lacking, with most tools being developed in low- and middle-income countries. The lack of validated instruments makes it difficult to examine the extent of menstrual product insecurity, period poverty, and menstrual hygiene in HICs, and limits researchers' ability to evaluate trends over time.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To summarize menstrual hygiene measurement tools developed and/or used in HICs, as well as the domains covered and psychometric properties of these tools, such as validity and reliability.</p><p><strong>Eligibility criteria: </strong>Studies conducted in HICs, discuss MHM, and employ a quantitative or mixed-methods design.</p><p><strong>Source of evidence: </strong>Published studies were sourced from OVID Medline, Scopus, and CINAHL Plus using standardized search strategies.</p><p><strong>Charting methods: </strong>Data from the included studies were charted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-five studies conducted in HICs between 1996 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria. Most were quantitative (<i>n</i> = 38), and the majority were conducted in the United States (<i>n</i> = 26). Across studies, 741 MHM measurement items were identified with menstrual product insecurity, psychosocial concerns, absenteeism, and menstruation-related consequences, and water, sanitation, and hygiene factors. Twelve studies reported psychometric properties; however, only five instruments were fully validated, and none comprehensively measured \"period poverty.\" Items assessing product insecurity and absenteeism varied widely in wording, response options, and domains covered, limiting comparability across studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite growing research and policy attention, HICs lack standardized, validated tools to measure menstrual product insecurity, period poverty, and related outcomes. To advance menstrual equity, track progress, and improve menstrual health outcomes, there is an urgent need for reliable and validated measurement tools that support surveillance, policy evaluation, and intervention efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261430205"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12979905/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147438317","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":"Symptoms and distress across the menstrual cycle in a representative sample of Austrian and German people who menstruate: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Lucia Volpi, Laura M König","doi":"10.1177/17455057261462827","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261462827","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundPeople who menstruate may experience a range of symptoms, which, fluctuating throughout the different cycle phases, can interfere with their normal functioning. To date, research mostly investigated pain and psychological changes in the menstrual and premenstrual phases.ObjectivesThis survey aimed to broaden the understanding of the frequency and interference with daily living (i.e., distress) of a wider array of symptoms (e.g., gastrointestinal, physiological) throughout the cycle, including the intermenstrual phase.DesignCross-sectional online survey of representative samples (in terms of education, gender and age).MethodsMenstruating participants (<i>N</i> = 336) from Germany and Austria reported the frequency and distress of 25 symptoms occurring in the three cycle phases and rated how often the symptoms impaired their daily functioning.ResultsThe symptom distress remained modest across all phases. Nevertheless, a repeated-measures ANOVA showed that distress was higher during menstruation (<i>M</i> = 1.41, <i>SD</i> = 0.62) compared to the other two phases (<i>ps</i> <.001), <i>F</i> (1.79, 526.15) = 91.19, <i>p</i> < .001, η²_p = .24. The psychological-cognitive, discomfort and physiological symptom clusters were the most frequent across all phases. Compared to participants without gynaecological conditions, individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of endometriosis exhibited significantly higher discomfort, pain and impairment across specific cycle phases (i.e., across all phases, during the premenstrual and intermenstrual phases, during the menstrual and premenstrual phases, respectively). Pain predicted impairment of daily functioning in the premenstrual and menstrual phase, together with discomfort. Age, contraception use, and gynaecological conditions were not related to changes in distress.ConclusionA broad range of symptoms occurred, going beyond symptoms typically studied, (i.e., discomfort with vaginal bleeding, feeling dirty, concentration impairment). Although with minimal interference, symptoms stereotypically linked to the (pre-)menstrual phase were also reported in other phases. However, given the methodological constraints of this study, this pattern must be interpreted with caution.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261462827"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13376483/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148474713","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":"Exploring the impact of Ramadan fasting on women's reproductive health: A narrative review.","authors":"Sehar Hussain, Sana Ahsan, Alysha Ali, Hira Khan, Sedra Tibi, Hina Mohsin","doi":"10.1177/17455057261435746","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261435746","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar in which Muslims abstain from consumption of food and drink, smoking, and engaging in sexual activity during daylight hours for the full lunar month, approximately 29-30 days. Beyond its spiritual significance, fasting during this month represents a distinct physiologic and cultural practice that may influence women's reproductive health. This narrative review integrates findings from published studies to summarize current evidence on the impact of Ramadan fasting (RF) on the menstrual cycle, fertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Relevant literature was identified through PubMed and Embase using keywords related to Ramadan and women's health, with emphasis on qualitative synthesis and critical interpretation rather than quantitative comparison. Across the literature, RF appears to cause mild and temporary menstrual irregularities without major hormonal changes. Fertility hormones generally remain stable. Among pregnant and breastfeeding women, most studies report no significant differences in maternal or neonatal health between fasting and non-fasting groups, though findings vary by region, nutritional intake, and gestational timing. While immediate birth outcomes appear largely unaffected, long-term effects have been elucidated through recent studies. Collectively, the evidence highlights the physiologic adaptability of women during RF while revealing the need for more comprehensive research on RF's effect on women's health. Gaining insight into this area of research contributes to a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to healthcare, targeting the unique needs of female Muslim patients. This will allow healthcare providers to leverage this research to establish rapport with their patients and deliver attuned, quality care.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261435746"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13051150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147596729","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":"\"Comment on: \"Commitment to inclusion: The importance of collaboration in gender equity work\"\".","authors":"Elisha Jackson, Kendall M Campbell","doi":"10.1177/17455057261447617","DOIUrl":"10.1177/17455057261447617","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Letter to editor that comments on \"Commitment to inclusion: The importance of collaboration in gender equity work.\" The focus is to add possible strategies to address gender pay inequtity in healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":75327,"journal":{"name":"Women's health (London, England)","volume":"22 ","pages":"17455057261447617"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13319561/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148355261","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}