Heidi Anne Duerr, MPH

Laparoscopic staging of uterine cancer is associated with only a small increased risk of recurrence, according to a new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Your patient just received devastating news: she has cancer. As treatment options and anxieties swirl, more and more women are now faced with another issue: how will the cancer and its treatment impact their fertility?

Oral contraceptives have long been considered an option for relieving symptoms of dysmenorrhea, but a 2009 Cochrane review cast doubt on that claim. Now, a new study out of Sweden offers contradictory evidence.

A new blood test may safely reveal the gender of a fetus in the first trimester, according to new research published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

According to research published in the Annals of Family Medicine, midstream urine testing effectively detects Chlamydia trachomatis.

Women who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) while pregnant may be doubling their unborn child’s risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension, according to new research.

Over the past few years, there has been great concern over the presence of alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) in consumer products and their link to breast cancer. These compounds have been found in human blood, milk, urine, and breast tissue.

Statin use in postmenopausal women is associated with an increased risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Findings published in the latest issue of Cancer Prevention Research suggest that antiestrogen supplements help decrease the risk of subsequent melanoma in patients with breast cancer.

Although previous studies of a new genital herpes vaccine were encouraging, it failed to protect women in a recent large clinical trial.

Two new studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine point to the importance of using bevacizumab in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the vascular endothelial growth factor, has shown single-agent activity in women with recurrent tumors.

Women with diabetes can bring a host of medical complications to their pregnancy. Recently, research has shown that cesarean section rates are higher in women with diabetes, and some estimates note that more than half of those C-sections are emergency operations and not elective procedures.

Foley catheter or vaginal prostaglandin E2 gel-which is the better option for induction in pregnant women with unfavorable cervix at term? According to new research, the Foley catheter may be a better choice.

Endometriosis affects as many as 6% of the general population. While some women with endometriosis remain asymptomatic, many women experience dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-cyclical pelvic pain, and subfertility. Now, new research indicates that patients with endometriosis are also more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease.

Since the debate about the safety of hormone replacement therapy began, researchers, patients, and clinicians have searched for a safe alternative to help alleviate the symptoms associated with menopause. Now, a small study in Italy suggests that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may be a solution.

The offspring of women who receive inhaled glucocorticoid medications to treat asthma during pregnancy may have a significantly increased risk of endocrine and metabolic disorders, according to a population-based cohort study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Decreases in bone mineral density and an increased risk of arthritis may be linked to bilateral oophorectomy, according to new research presented at the 2011 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Lymphedema, swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, can occur as a result of surgical or radiation therapy associated with breast cancer treatment. Since some research has shown that exercise after breast cancer treatment has been associated with developing lymphedema, clinicians often advise patients to avoid exercising. But is this truly necessary?

As infertility rates have increased, now affecting as many as 12% of the reproductive age population, so has the use of assisted conception. For instance, in vitro fertilization was employed in about 1% of all live births in the United States.

Is single incision surgery worth the increased cost, learning curve and operative time? Is it more advantageous than a standard laparoscopy?

A history of high blood pressure may be indicative of future physical as well as psychiatric problems, according to a new study published in General Health Psychiatry. The study found an association between preexisting hypertension, but not pregnancy-induced hypertension, and risk for depression.

According to some sources, there are as many as 600,000 hysterectomies performed annually in the US, making it the most common nonobstetrical surgical procedure among women in the US. While the procedure itself is relatively safe, we need to ask what are the long-term effects of a hysterectomy?

Lead researcher Dr Janet McLaren discusses the results of a new study exploring new concerns that rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease may lead to premature ovarian failure and early menopause.

Regional anesthesia is associated with better success rates of external cephalic version, according to new research. The study was published in the November issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Breech presentation occurs in about 3% to 4% of all term pregnancies. It is the third most frequent indication for cesarean section.

Although the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Obstetric Practice has stated that hospitals and birthing centers are the safest place for childbirth, some women choose to have their children in their homes.

The Centers for Disease Control recently updated their recommendations for tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccination (Tdap) in pregnant women.

Which oral contraceptive is most appropriate for your patient? A new study published in the British Medical Journal may influence your prescribing decision, as researchers have found that certain oral contraceptives are more likely to cause venous thromboembolism (VTE).

A patient who is full term presents with eclamptic convulsion. Following a successful caesarian section and the birth of a healthy child, she had two additional convulsions. After she improved, she was discharged from the hospital four days later. At home, she suddenly collapsed and eventually died.

Studies have shown that it is important for both the mother’s and the fetus’ well-being to treat maternal depression. As such, the use of antidepressants during pregnancy has increased. However, new research now shows that treatment with certain antidepressants just before and just after delivery may actually have a negative impact on the baby’s brain circuitry.

Hormone fluctuations. Hot flashes and night sweats. Depression and changes in mood. Coincidental and age-related changes in health and social issues. All of these factors associated with menopause can affect a patient’s sleep quality.