Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2019
Cardiovascular Health of Mothers in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2014.
Background: Pregnancy and childrearing can impact women's health and alter chronic disease trajectories in later life, including cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to assess measures of women's cardiovascular health by time since last live birth. Materials and Methods: Data were from 4,021 nonpregnant U. S. women, 20-44 years of age, participating in the 2007-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). ⋯ Mothers also had poorer metabolic health as indicated by a higher prevalence of low HDL cholesterol among mothers of toddlers and older children (44.2% and 40.4%, respectively, vs. 33.6%), and a higher prevalence of high waist circumference among mothers of infants (65.6% vs. 53.8%). Some mothers also had a higher prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors, including low physical activity and poor sleep. Conclusion: Prior pregnancy and childrearing may be associated with selected cardiovascular risk factors among nonpregnant reproductive-aged U. S. women.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2019
ReviewCharacterization and Treatment of Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common but treatable condition, with a number of effective available treatments, including oral and intravaginal metronidazole and clindamycin and oral tinidazole. However, as many as 50% of women with BV experience recurrence within 1 year of treatment for incident disease. Some reasons for recurrence include the persistence of residual infection, resistance, and possibly reinfection from either male or female partners. ⋯ Secnidazole may be an attractive new option due to one-time dosing. Initial studies on biofilm disruption, use of probiotics and prebiotics, and botanical treatments have shown some promise, but must be studied further before use in the clinic. Despite limitations, antimicrobial therapy will remain the mainstay of treatment for recurrent BV for the foreseeable future.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2019
Gender Differences in Outcomes Following a Pain-Free, Home-Based Exercise Program for Claudication.
Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common cardiovascular pathology that affects mobility. In previous research, supervised exercise, a recommended treatment for claudication, was less effective in women. This study retrospectively investigated whether functional outcomes exhibit sex differences following a pain-free, home-based exercise program for PAD patients. Materials and Methods: Patients with PAD and claudication enrolled to a structured home-based program from 2003 to 2016 were studied. ⋯ At baseline, compared to men, women exhibited similar ABI values but lower PTS and PFWD values (p < 0.001). At discharge, with similar adherence (score 3/4 ± 1 each) in both groups, superimposable improvements were observed for PTS (0.8 ± 0.8 km/h each), Smax (0.4 ± 0.5 km/h each), PFWD (women 95 ± 100; men 86 ± 104), 6MWD (women 32 ± 65; men 35 ± 58), and ABI (women 0.07 ± 0.12; men 0.06 ± 0.11) without between-group differences (confirmed after propensity analysis). Conclusion: A personalized, structured pain-free exercise program for PAD patients performed inside the home for a few minutes a day was equally effective in both sexes. Programs favoring adherence and functional outcomes in women should be tested in prospective studies.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2019
Health Care Disparities Among U.S. Women of Reproductive Age by Level of Psychological Distress.
Background: Reproductive-age women have a high rate of contact with the health care system for reproductive health care. Yet, beyond pregnancy, little is known about psychological distress and unmet health care needs among these women. We examined reasons for delayed medical care and types of foregone care by level of psychological distress. ⋯ Cost is the greatest barrier to timely medical care for women with MPD and SPD. Conclusions: Women of reproductive age with psychological distress face considerable structural and cost-related barriers to accessing health care, which may be exacerbated by their psychological state. Despite recent policy advances such as the Affordable Care Act, additional efforts by policymakers and providers are crucial to address the needs of this population.