S. Shantha, J. Brooks-Gunn, R. J. Locke, M. Warren
{"title":"Natural vaginal progesterone is associated with minimal psychological side effects: a preliminary study.","authors":"S. Shantha, J. Brooks-Gunn, R. J. Locke, M. Warren","doi":"10.1089/152460901317193567","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901317193567","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychological side effects of a transvaginal natural progesterone gel in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This 3-month preliminary study was part of a multicenter study previously performed in our center. We enrolled 49 women (ages 18-45 years) with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) (n = 40) and premature ovarian failure (POF) (n = 9). Estrogenized patients applied vaginal progesterone gel (4% or 8%) every other day for six doses per month. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL), a psychometric profile test, was administered at baseline, day 13 of cycle 2, day 24 of cycle 2, and day 24 of cycle 3. Application of the progesterone gel caused no significant change in HSCL total scores or individual symptom scores for somatization, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and anxiety. Natural vaginal progesterone gel can be an effective alternative to oral progesterone for women on HRT.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"58 1","pages":"991-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84024583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Toward optimal health: the experts discuss oral contraception.","authors":"J. G. Meisler","doi":"10.1089/152460901317193503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901317193503","url":null,"abstract":"In this issue of the Journal of Womens Health and Gender-Based Medicine Jodi Godfrey Meisler M.S. R.D. interviewed two well-regarded specialists to shed some light on the efficacy of birth control pills in preventing unintended pregnancy and to discuss the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) in medical practice. The concerned specialists were Dr. Lee P. Shulman professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Illinois and Dr. Tara Allmen assistant clinical professor of gynecology at the Columbia Presbyterian Center for Menopause Hormonal Disorders and Womens Health in New York City. During the interview Meisler queried on how OCs have evolved since their introduction in 1960 the risks and benefits and how it can impact on the satisfaction compliance and the overall health of women of childbearing age. Issues concerning drug interaction noncontraceptive benefits conferred by OCs fear of weight gain and the health risk or benefit in stopping and restarting use of OCs are tackled.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"921-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89701711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Mosca, C. Allen, E. Fernández-Repollet, C. Kim, M. Lee, J. McAuley, M. McLaughlin
{"title":"Setting a local research agenda for women's health: The National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health.","authors":"L. Mosca, C. Allen, E. Fernández-Repollet, C. Kim, M. Lee, J. McAuley, M. McLaughlin","doi":"10.1089/152460901317193512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901317193512","url":null,"abstract":"Although women's health research expanded greatly in the past 10 years, significant gaps in knowledge remain. Prioritization and promotion of research will help assure continuing progress in closing such gaps and improving the health of women. Although a comprehensive agenda for the new millennium has been developed at the national level, the process for establishing a local research agenda is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to describe criteria for and barriers to establishing a local research agenda in women's health. A secondary aim was to describe mechanisms for identifying women's health researchers and for facilitating multidisciplinary research. Directors of Research at National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CoEs) (n = 18) were surveyed by mail for this information. The results indicate that the local research agenda should emphasize health issues that are prevalent in women, research that is likely to establish treatment, psychosocial/cultural factors, and quality of life issues. The process of setting a research agenda should include input from the communities served as well as from scientists. Critical evaluation of scientific strengths and weaknesses is an essential preliminary step in prioritizing research opportunities in order to implement and evaluate a research agenda in women's health.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"23 1","pages":"927-35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82121067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Good for women, good for men, bad for people: Simpson's paradox and the importance of sex-specific analysis in observational studies.","authors":"S. Baker, B. Kramer","doi":"10.1089/152460901753285769","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901753285769","url":null,"abstract":"Even if a medial intervention has a beneficial effect in both men and women, an observational study that combines data from men and women can lead to the incorrect conclusion that treatment has a harmful effect. This is an example of Simpson's paradox, which although uncommon in practice, does, in fact, occur (Wainer H. Simpson's paradox. Chance 1999;12:43). More importantly, it is likely that in an observational study, a related result will occur; namely, ignoring sex in the analysis will lead to biased results. To better understand why Simpson's paradox and the related result occur, we present a graphic explanation.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"94 1","pages":"867-72"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80797324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"News from the Society for Women's Health Research: FDA doing poor job of monitoring drugs for sex differences.","authors":"P. Greenberger","doi":"10.1089/152460901753285705","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901753285705","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"107 1","pages":"829-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77426002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Soules, Sherry Sherman, E. Parrott, R. Rebar, N. Santoro, W. Utian, N. Woods
{"title":"Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW).","authors":"M. Soules, Sherry Sherman, E. Parrott, R. Rebar, N. Santoro, W. Utian, N. Woods","doi":"10.1089/152460901753285732","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901753285732","url":null,"abstract":"A select group of clinicians and investigators met recently for the express purpose of developing a staging system for female reproductive aging. The group also addressed the confusing and redundant nomenclature that is commonly used to describe the late reproductive years. A summary and recommendations are presented.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"843-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86721841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Treatment of hypertension in type 2 diabetes.","authors":"Ricardo Padilla, P. Mehler","doi":"10.1089/152460901753285804","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901753285804","url":null,"abstract":"Hypertension is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States, affecting 50 million American adults and accounting for one of four physician office visits. It is often undetected and undertreated, creating significant public health consequences. In diabetes, hypertension is an even greater problem, as diabetes has become the most common single cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world, and diabetes is increasing in prevalence. The most important factor in slowing the decline of renal function in diabetes is aggressive treatment of hypertension. Recent guidelines have emphasized that the target blood pressure levels for patients with diabetes should be lower than in other hypertensive groups. The best specific approach for the treatment of hypertension in diabetic patients is the subject of much debate. It may be in the end that the specific drug choice has less overall importance than the actual attainment of adequate blood pressure control. In addition, more credence must be placed on the value of treating systolic hypertension than has traditionally been given. Coexisting diabetes and hypertension are a common clinical scenario that can set off a vicious cycle of increasing renal damage, rising blood pressure, and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Treatment often requires multiple drugs to effectively preserve renal function and prevent complications.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"46 1","pages":"897-905"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77075113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Progress and promise in women's nutritional health.","authors":"S. Finn","doi":"10.1089/152460901753285723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901753285723","url":null,"abstract":"839 WITH THIS, THE LAST INSTALLMENT OF Nutrition Communique for the year 2001, we decided to take a look back and a look forward at progress and promise in the area of women’s nutritional health. Our expert panel is composed of some of my fellow members of the Council for Women’s Nutrition Solutions (CWNS), a group of professional women in the fields of nutrition, medicine, health research and education, and psychology— all of whom share a passion for promoting and protecting women’s health. (See Helping women find “everyday solutions.” Journal of Women’s Health & Gender-Based Medicine 2000;9(9):951.) Their replies to our two questions seem to echo a common theme: We are in an era of remarkable scientific discovery in many areas, including nutrition and health, but all the science in the world means nothing if people do not change their unhealthy behaviors. The real frontier in women’s nutritional health is motivating behavior change— communicating the power of setting attainable goals and making realistic changes.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"7 1","pages":"839-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84896649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Examining structured representation and designated fiscal support for women's health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.","authors":"C. Mazure, A. Arons, A. Vitali","doi":"10.1089/152460901753285741","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901753285741","url":null,"abstract":"The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is committed to monitoring, protecting, and improving the health of the nation. We examine the structure established within DHHS to address the health of women; review initiatives generated by women's health offices, advisors, and coordinators within DHHS agencies; and contrast the budgets provided to women's health offices with those of the parent DHHS agencies. Data were obtained from DHHS and other public government documents, DHHS websites, contact with agency personnel, and literature review. Significant clinical, research, and educational efforts important to the health of women have resulted from representation for women's health within the DHHS. Yet, structured representation and designated fiscal support necessary to maintain and expand these efforts are variable and not guaranteed across agencies. Only one Office of Women's Health and one Senior Advisor position are supported by statute, one director's position for an Office of Women's Health has been downgraded in government rank, and two other women's health positions had their reporting structure changed, making them less centrally located in their respective agencies. During the last 4 years of unprecedented growth within DHHS, only one Office of Women's Health received consistent increases in budgeted dollars. There is a clear need to support and stabilize representation for women's health within DHHS in order to maintain current productive efforts, coordinate existing and developing initiatives, and integrate new topics of importance to women's health into each agency. This can be accomplished by establishing structured offices by statute and ensuring future funding commensurate with the mission of each office.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":"849-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90432724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characteristics of women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) who did or did not report history of depression: a preliminary report from the Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles.","authors":"C. Soares, L. Cohen, M. Otto, B. Harlow","doi":"10.1089/152460901753285778","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/152460901753285778","url":null,"abstract":"We examined the characteristics of 33 women with a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) who did (n = 19) or did not (n = 14) report a history of major depression. Five hundred thirteen older premenopausal women (ages 36-44) from a community-based sample completed a prospective evaluation of PMDD with daily records. The diagnosis of PMDD was confirmed in 33 women (6.3%), and 14 subjects met criteria for PMDD with no history of depression. Demographic characteristics, cigarette smoking, and menstrual and reproductive history of subjects with PMDD who did or did not report a history of depression were compared. Women with PMDD and no history of depression were more educated and more frequently had a marital disruption (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed with respect to reproduction-related characteristics or past cigarette smoking. These preliminary data suggest the existence of characteristics particularly related to women who meet criteria for PMDD and have no history of depression. Given the significant psychosocial impairment commonly associated with PMDD symptoms and the existing data that support its classification and adequate treatment as a distinct clinical entity, further studies are needed to better identify predictors of this syndrome unrelated to a lifetime history of depression.","PeriodicalId":80044,"journal":{"name":"Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine","volume":"25 1","pages":"873-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79418699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}