Women's Health Issues

PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN WOMEN

For adults aged 26–45, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices now recommends shared clinical decision-making regarding HPV vaccination, recognizing that some who are not adequately vaccinated may benefit.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Within the United States, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (1.888.373.7888) provides real-time assistance regarding patient safety evaluation and resources to assist clinicians and patients.

EATING DISORDERS IN WOMEN

The “female athlete triad” is described as an interrelationship of menstrual dysfunction, low energy availability (with or without an eating disorder), and decreased bone mineral density.

LOW SEXUAL DESIRE IN WOMEN

Bremelanotide, a melanocortin receptor agonist, was FDA-approved for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. In two randomized controlled trials including 1247 women, patients had modest improvements in sexual function scales.

CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN IN WOMEN

A standardized examination can be performed in a patient with a high likelihood of myofascial pain. If the patient has pain at four or more sites, a diagnosis of myofascial pain is likely.

ASYMPTOMATIC OVARIAN MASSES

Transvaginal ultrasound is the diagnostic test of choice in any woman presenting with an ovarian mass, and the detection of a simple cyst is associated with a benign process in 95–99% of postmenopausal women.