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A new study reveals that obstetrician-led lecture and simulation training significantly improve Emergency Medicine residents' comfort in managing complex obstetric conditions.

Obstetric training enhances EM residents’ confidence in emergencies

 and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in December 2019. She graduated from Youngstown State University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in political science. Prior to graduating, Morgan worked as the editor-in-chief of her college newspaper. She went on to work as an assignment editor at a broadcast news station in Youngstown, Ohio before joining 

 You can reach her at mpetronelli@mjhlifesciences.com.

Many women experience perimenopause symptoms in their 30s, but most delay treatment. Early awareness can improve care and quality of life.

Study: Perimenopause symptoms common in women as young as 30

A new study highlights adiponectin’s strong links to obesity and metabolic health markers, suggesting its potential as an effective tool for predicting and managing cardiometabolic risk in perimenopausal women.

Adiponectin found a key biomarker for cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women

A recent study suggests that a higher Hepatic Steatosis Index in early pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

Hepatic Steatosis Index may predict gestational hypertension and preeclampsia risk

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A Psychedelic to Treat Postpartum Depression?

CMV: In the Know

RSV Roundtable

STIs

Supplement: Closing the Gap in Cervical Cancer Screening

Vaginismus: Managing a Misunderstood and Underdiagnosed Condition

Why vNOTES Make Sense for My Patients

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As more patients turn to ob/gyns for wellness exams, physicians need to stay up-to-date on current recommendations.

The 'well-woman' screening guidelines

What structure or anomaly is the arrow pointing to in this image of a 20-week fetal spine?

Challenge your anatomy skills: Can you identify the spinal structure?

Clinical

Image IQ: Anatomy of the Fetal Spine

A 27-year-old woman presents with an 18-month history of vulvar irritation. She is otherwise healthy except for episodes of depression. She has tried multiple agents for her condition including topical steroids, Vagisil, antibiotics, and fluconazole. She used oral steroids but developed knee pain. Tacrolimus has not helped. A biopsy revealed lichen simplex chronicus. Immunofluorescent studies were negative.

A 27-year-old woman presents with an 18-month history of vulvar irritation. She has tried multiple agents for her condition including topical steroids, Vagisil, antibiotics, and fluconazole without relief. What's your diagnosis?

Vulvar irritation in a 27-year-old woman

The Sonio Suspect artificial intelligence (AI) model has received FDA clearance for the detection of fetal anomalies, according to 

The technology provides a 22-point improvement in reader performance. Additionally, it allows for earlier and more accurate detection and characterization of abnormalities. This addresses a critical gap in fetal anomaly detection, with data indicating up to 51% of anomalies are not detected during standard prenatal ultrasound screenings.

“By combining real-time AI quality control with AI-driven anomaly detection, Sonio supports ultrasound providers at every step of the patient pathway, from exhaustive documentation to accurate diagnosis,” said Cécile Brosset, CEO of Sonio. “Our technology is designed to help health care providers detect issues early and streamline processes, ultimately improving the care every patient receives.”

Using the Sonio Suspect AI model, health care providers may detect fetal anomalies in their patients as early as 11 weeks’ gestation. This increases the time families and providers have to act, plan interventions, and improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.

The 22-point improvement in anomaly detection was highlighted in a multicenter reader performance study. There were 47 sites included in the analysis, 37 of which were in the United States. In the analysis, the area under the curve rose from 69% to 91% when using the Sonio Suspect AI model.

Multiple patient demographics were included in the analysis, highlighting the model’s efficacy across a varied population. Additionally, consistency was reported regardless of clinician background or experiencing, including maternal-fetal medicine specialists, obstetricians and gynecologists, and radiologists.

Poor image quality has been linked to 49% of missed cases, and misinterpretation to 31%, highlighting the need for early and accurate detection of congenital malformations to reduce fetal and maternal mortality. Sonio Suspect provides cutting-edge technology that addresses quality control and diagnostic accuracy to mitigate these issues.

Sonio’s model bridges the gap between technology and clinical application through the use of both real-time quality control and AI-driven anomaly detection. This allows for health care providers to employ consistent, efficient, and accurate prenatal screening across diverse health care settings.

The efficacy of an AI algorithm for fetal ultrasound was proven in a Sonio study posted in 

The analysis included 17,169 screening fetal images performed in all 3 trimesters, and the algorithm’s blinded assessments were compared to expert assessments to evaluate the software’s performance.

A mean sensitivity of 0.928 was reported when labelling 4 standard planes from the first trimester, alongside a mean sensitivity of 0.911 for labelling of 12 standard planes from the second and third trimester.When identifying 6 brain structures, the mean sensitivity was 0.852 and the mean specificity was 0.942.

When identifying 12 heart structures, these values were 0.900 and 0.982, respectively. This data indicated effective management of quality control during fetal ultrasound using an AI model.

“Such a software could improve the workflow of practitioners and imaging quality by ensuring completeness of examinations and that expected anatomical structures are visible on standard planes,” concluded investigators.

Sonio announces FDA clearance of Sonio Suspect breakthrough AI algorithm delivers 22-point improvement in anomaly detection and enables early prenatal diagnosis. Sonio. February 24, 2025. Accessed February 24, 2024.

Stirnemann J, Besson R, Debavelaere V, et al. OC01.01: Performance of an AI algorithm for quality control of routine fetal ultrasound. 

Sonio’s artificial intelligence-powered model improves fetal anomaly detection by 22 points, enabling earlier diagnosis and better maternal-fetal health outcomes.

FDA clears Sonio Suspect AI for fetal anomaly detection

Saying "obstetrician-gynecologist" is a mouthful for most people, and it's probably the most abbreviated specialty in medicine, both spoken and written. However, there doesn't seem to be a consensus on how to pronounce OB-GYN. First, is it the two-syllable "O-B" or the monosyllabic "Ob"? Second, is it "gin" or "gyne" (like "Lyme")? I wonder if you have a preference. I know I do.

Almost nobody says "obstetrician-gynecologist" when speaking about these specialist physicians. But what's the "correct" way to pronounce OB/GYN?

Is It Ob-Gin or Ob-Gyne?

Efficacy found from biopsychosocial approach

Sexual health

Somi Javaid, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB-GYN and expert in menopause and sexual health, discussed the importance of a biopsychosocial approach in improving sexual health outcomes. 

Javaid highlighted how sexual wellness is a crucial aspect of overall health, affecting mental well-being, confidence, relationships, and even physical health, particularly pelvic floor function. She explained that sexual health issues often contribute to anxiety, depression, and isolation, as many women feel alone in their struggles. Despite the prevalence of sexual health concerns, impacting nearly 43% of women, many patients experience dismissal from health care providers, leading them to feel invisible. Javaid shared examples of patients receiving inadequate advice, reinforcing the stigma and lack of proper medical attention given to women's sexual health.

The biopsychosocial approach, which Javaid advocated, addresses 3 critical components. The first is biological, including neurochemistry, hormones, medications, and medical history, all of which impact sexual function.

The second component is psychological, which encompasses thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and beliefs about intimacy. These factors significantly influence sexual health.

Finally, Javaid discussed the social component. This includes relationships, work, family dynamics, and financial stressors, which can also impact sexual well-being.

Javaid stressed that successful treatment requires a comprehensive, individualized plan. Unlike male sexual health, which often revolves around blood flow and has numerous treatment options, female sexual health requires a multidimensional approach. Treatments should integrate medication such as FDA-approved drugs Addyi and Vyleesi for low libido, pelvic floor therapy, sexual health counseling, and curated products. Patient comfort and belief systems should be factored into the plan to ensure effectiveness. Education is also essential, as empowering patients with knowledge about their sexual health fosters better outcomes.

By utilizing the biopsychosocial model, health care providers can offer a well-rounded, patient-centered approach, ultimately enhancing women's sexual health and overall quality of life.

This video is part 2 of a 3-part series. Click 

Discover how a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach addressing biological, psychological, and social factors can improve sexual health, boost confidence, and enhance overall well-being.

Efficacy found from biopsychosocial approach to women’s sexual health

Somi Javaid, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB-GYN and expert in menopause and sexual health, discussed gender disparities in sexual health awareness and treatment. 

Javaid highlighted that historically, women's sexual health has been overlooked in medicine, with women primarily seen as either vehicles for male pleasure or vessels for childbirth. Despite sexual health being a fundamental aspect of overall well-being and recognized as a basic human right by the World Health Organization, systemic barriers such as lack of education, data, female leadership, provider training, and funding have resulted in significant gender disparities in sexual health care. Additionally, a dismissive attitude within the medical community often leads to the neglect of these concerns, despite the availability of treatment options for other non-life-threatening conditions.

Javaid also addressed limitations in traditional sexual health treatments for women. A stark disparity exists between FDA-approved treatments for men vs women, with 29 medications available for male sexual health and only 2 available for women. High costs and stricter regulatory requirements for female-specific treatments further exacerbate this issue. Many women remain unaware that their decreased sexual desire could be linked to treatable conditions such as hypoactive sexual desire disorder. 

Even when treatments exist, insurance coverage remains biased, often reimbursing providers significantly less for female conditions vs male ones. For example, Viagra, a well-known male sexual health drug, is widely covered, while female-focused treatments such as Addyi remain underutilized because of lack of awareness, advertising restrictions, and insurance denials.

Javaid shared a striking example of this disparity. A patient struggling with sexual pain was denied insurance coverage for a prescribed vaginal suppository, while her husband’s Viagra was fully covered. The insurance company deemed female sexual health treatment as "elective," reinforcing the systemic bias. These inequities highlight the urgent need for improved education, awareness, policy changes, and a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to ensure equitable sexual health care for women.

This video is part 1 of a 3-part series. Click 

Despite sexual health being a fundamental right, women face significant disparities in treatment, awareness, and insurance coverage—highlighting the need for systemic change.

Cathy Lynch, MD

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