Sexual Health

Vaginal atrophy doesn’t have to be a life sentence of painful sex. New research describes a solution for dyspareunia that can take sex from “painful” to “comfortable.”

Don’t let time constraints and large patient loads prevent you from providing a thorough well-woman visit. Are you covering all the bases?

Marijuana and e-cigarettes can cause harm in more ways than you may think. Do you ask your patients about their marijuana or e-cigarette use? The numbers may surprise you.

New research expected this year will bring about significant changes to clinical practice. Here, society leaders share what’s on their radar for 2014.

The two widely used surgeries for apical prolapse work equally well for both apical prolapse and stress urinary incontinence two years postsurgery, research shows.

Three doses of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine was more effective in preventing high-grade cervical abnormalities than other types and more effective in younger women.

A striking number of sexually active women experience reproductive coercion by their male partners, and their ability to use contraception and plan pregnancies may be compromised.

In Denmark, researchers found that the risk of atypia, atypia+, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 (CIN2/3) were significantly reduced among women who received the vaccine.

Navigating the complexities of privacy in the adolescent gyn patient can be tricky. Here, Deborah Ottenheimer, MD, a specialist in adolescent gynecology, shares her protocol for providing confidential medical care to teen patients.

Two doses of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against genital warts nearly as well as the standard 3-dose schedule, according to new study findings.

The sexual behaviors and beliefs about HPV infection were unchanged among a group of teens and young women who were vaccinated against the virus, research shows.

Conservative surgery for early-stage vulvar cancer had little to no long-term effect on a woman’s sexuality or body image, a small study found.

More Ob/Gyns are probably discussing sex with teenage patients than pediatricians, but a new study serves as a good reminder that physicians need to initiate these conversations.

A highly specific rapid test for Chlamydia trachomatis has been developed. The best part: the new test requires a direct urine sample only (no total DNA purification needed).

Compared with hysterectomy, GNRHa is an effective treatment of uterine fibroids and has an equivalent effect on sexual function.

Research shows that vaccinating all teens-both boys and girls--results in an enormous reduction in HPV-related infections. Why aren't we doing it in the United States?

Vulvovaginal disease is common, but often difficult to diagnose. Yeast infections, vulvodynia, and contact dermatitis may be easy to identify, but chronic or overlapping conditions can be difficult to spot. Can you accurately diagnose these patients?

The increased availability of emergency contraception to women and girls irrespective of age is victory for all of us.

After treating vaginal atrophy with local estrogens, sexual satisfaction for postmenopausal women and their male partners improves, according to the results of a survey published online in the journal Menopause.

A recent discovery suggests that Trichomonas vaginalis may alter the vaginal microbiota in a manner that cultivates bacteria that is beneficial to its survival and transmissibility.

Osphena (ospemifene) has been approved by the FDA to treat dyspareunia. This is the first non-steroidal estrogen available for women with dyspareunia (painful intercourse), a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) that is common during menopause.

Certain herbal and complementary medicines may be a valuable treatment option for women with postmenopausal symptoms, according to a new review outlining the advantages and limitations of the available treatments of postmenopausal symptoms.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination may be beneficial for women with HIV infection even after previous exposure to HPV, according to the findings of a new study.

A Phase II trial is underway for Tefina, a testosterone-based treatment for female sexual dysfunction.

IUDs are a safe and effective method of contraception. Why aren't we offering them to teens?

The number of cases of cephalosporin-resistant gonorrhea is increasing, according to a recent report issued by the World Health Organization. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that causes the infection, has already developed resistance to other common antibiotics, and cephalosporins have become the last line of defense against the infection.

Women over the age of 25 may still need to be screened for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) according to research released at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) Annual Clinical Meeting.

Human papillomavirus vaccines provide still some benefit to women who have undergone treatment for HPV-related diseases, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal.

More than one third of women in the United States will experience some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. The consequences of IPV can be lifelong and include emotional trauma, long-term physical impairment, chronic health problems, and even death.