A Bruise, a Neck, and a Little Finger

Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in Britain. On April 10, 1955, in front of witnesses, she shot and killed her lover, David Blakely, and was immediately arrested and imprisoned. In so many other ways, however, her life was similar to those of many aspirational women of the working classes in postwar Britain; she achieved notoriety because of the murder and execution. This essay uses archives of press photography to examine the diverse ways in which Ellis constructed her identity and was represented to the public as a sexualized woman. It attempts a feminist encounter with the visual archive—an encounter not only with an individual woman but also, and as importantly, with 1950s sex, sexuality, class, and violence.

Understanding female sexual dysfunction, its causes and treatments

Female sexual dysfunction can greatly affect a woman's quality of life. Affected patients need a comprehensive assessment that includes taking a sexual history, medical evaluation and, if appropriate, a manual examination in order to diagnose, treat or identify factors relevant for each individual woman. There may be biological, psychological, emotional and relationship issues. Any biological factors such as vaginal dryness, pelvic floor dysfunction or chronic pain need to be addressed first to help prevent more complex problems developing. Sexual problems may be the cause of or the result of dysfunctional or unsatisfactory relationships. Psychological and emotional factors can create difficulties in sexual response and, equally, they can be the result of unaddressed or untreated biological/medical issues. Nurses working in urology need to be aware of the physiology involved in sexual response and know which conditions and illnesses are likely to affect sexual functioning and which treatments can help.

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) test information on Australian and New Zealand fertility clinic websites: a content analysis

ObjectivesThe anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) test has been promoted as a way to inform women about their future fertility. However, data consistently show the test is a poor predictor of natural fertility potential for an individual woman. As fertility centre websites are often a primary source of information for reproductive information, it is essential the information provided is accurate and reflects the available evidence. We aimed to systematically record and categorise information about the AMH test found on Australian and New Zealand fertility clinic websites.DesignContent analysis of online written information about the AMH test on fertility clinic websites.SettingAccredited Australian and New Zealand fertility clinic websites.MethodsData were extracted between April and June 2020. Any webpage that mentioned the AMH test, including blogs specifically about the AMH test posted since 2015, was analysed and the content categorised.ResultsOf the 39 active accredited fertility clinics’ websites, 25 included information about the AMH test. The amount of information varied widely, and embodied four overarching categories; (1) the utility of the AMH test, (2) who the test is suitable for, (3) possible actions in response to the test and (4) caveats and limitations of the test. Eight specific statements about the utility of the test were identified, many of which are not evidence-based. While some websites were transparent regarding the test’s limitations, others mentioned no caveats or included persuasive statements actively promoting the test as empowering for a range of women in different circumstances.ConclusionsSeveral websites had statements about the utility of the AMH test that are not supported by the evidence. This highlights the need for higher standards for information provided on fertility clinic websites to prevent women being misled to believe the test can reliably predict their fertility.

Modes of birth and their impact on the psychological and physical health of women

Objective. The aim of this review was to evaluate the literature concerning modes of birth and their impact on the psychological and physical health of women. Methods. A search was conducted in PubMed Central and Scopus to identify relevant studies in the literature. The searching phrases were “mode of birth” AND “maternal health”. No date restriction was applied. The languages were restricted to English, German, and Greek. Results. Women giving birth through assisted vaginal births, especially by means of forceps, had a higher risk of dealing with different health problems in the postpartum period. Caesarean sections are not able to prevent long-term problems related to incontinence or sexuality. Conclusions. The mode of birth has an impact on the health of women postpartum and in some cases in the long term. Therefore, the mode of birth should be chosen deliberately for each individual woman, while having in mind the possible risks of the different modes of birth. Additionally, further research is needed to highlight the prevalence of postpartum morbidity.

The Inadequacy of “Choice”

This chapter examines the limitations of feminist discussions about disability and reproduction. Feminism and disability rights often hold different places in reproductive justice discussions. Feminism often oversimplifies the idea of reproductive choice, focusing on individual women and endorsing cultural stereotypes of disability. As a counterpoint to the scholarly literature of these issues, Alison Piepmeier interviewed twenty-nine parents of children with Down syndrome, asking them about their pregnancy, prenatal testing, and their families. The responses of these parents illustrate how families need more support than just individual rights to raise a child with a disability. Although reproductive decisions may rest on an individual woman, she must also consider community support and health services in her decision to raise a child, particularly one with a disability.

Cervical Versus Vaginal, and Sublingual Misoprostol for Labor Induction at Term Parturient: a Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial

Background: The study will attempt to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of intracervical misoprostol in comparison with intravaginal and sublingual for the induction of labor at term. Methods: three hundred term pregnancies requiring induction of labor were treated with 50μg of misoprostol intracervical, sublingual and vaginal. Participants were randomly allocated into three groups of 100. The dose was repeated every 4 hours until adequate uterine contraction and Bishop score were achieved. The duration of induction to delivery, time to active phase, the rate of delivery, and the need for cesarean section were compared in three groups. Additionally, labor course and side effects were recorded and analyzed.Results: Labor was successfully induced in all cases, most (63%) of which required a single dose of misoprostol. Ninety-three (93.0%) cervical patients proceeded to spontaneous vaginal delivery, also this figure was the same in the vaginal and sublingual group 83 (83.0%), The other 41 cases received cesarean delivery with more indications failure to progress and meconium-stained liquor. The results showed that 278 (92.7%) deliveries were achieved in less than 10 hours. Time from start of medication to the active phase of labor and delivery were 3.01 ± 0.86 and 6.1 ± 1.3 hours in the Cervical group, 4.2 ± 0.66 and 8.4 ± 0.92 hours in the sublingual group, and 5.06 ± 1.1 and 9.2 ± 1.5 hours in the vaginal group respectively (p<0.001). Cesarean rate was lower in the cervical group than the two other groups (p=0.05). No significant differences were observed between the study groups in terms of Apgar score and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Moreover, no maternal and neonatal complication were seen.Conclusion: In addition to the sublingual and intravaginal routes of administration, intracervical misoprostol at a single dose of 50μg appears to be an effective method for induction of labor in women with an unfavorable cervix. Similar to all medical interventions, a discussion of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to induction of labor with this medication in each individual woman should be undertaken prior to treatment. Trial registration: This clinical study was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) with the IRCT ID: IRCT20190415043278N1, Registration and approval date was 2019-05-13 and 2019-05-27 respectively.

The information provided at the antenatal clinic regarding foetal diagnostics -how is it perceived? A qualitative interview study

Background: Prenatal testing is voluntary and should be offered to all pregnant women in combination with sufficient information. Earlier studies have shown that pregnant women often felt the information given at the antenatal clinics about foetal diagnostics was lacking. Since new methods in foetal diagnostics are introduced into routine health care, there is an increased need for adequate information. The aim of this study was to examine how pregnant women and their partners perceive the information given at the antenatal clinic regarding foetal diagnostics, as well as to increase the understanding of how this information can be improved.Methods: A qualitative interview study was conducted in the Gothenburg area in Sweden. Ten women and seven partners expecting their first child were interviewed. The data was analysed using content analysis with an inductive approach.Results: The interview data generated three main categories and ten subcategories. The first category, ‘Diversity in the information perceived,’ concerned differences in the level of information perceived regarding voluntariness, the methods’ purpose and the possibility of abnormal findings. The second category, ‘Varying needs related to improved information,’ concerned the parents’ needs related to thorough information and pre-existing knowledge. The third category, ‘The midwife has a great impact on the information perceived,’ concerned sufficient and insufficient susceptibility and time to ask questions as well as varying experiences of the midwife’s attitude. Conclusions: Although previous research have already pointed out that information regarding foetal diagnostics is lacking, this study shows that there is still room for improvement. This is even more urgent now with new methods being introduced, which can make choices concerning foetal diagnostics even more complicated for the pregnant woman. The given information should be explicit concerning purpose, limitations and the voluntariness of prenatal testing. Sufficient time for questions and discussion was important to many who were interviewed. The diversity in answers among the participants in the study highlights the importance of considering the level of the parents’ pre-existing knowledge and their individual thoughts and questions and that it is important to adapt the information to the individual woman and partner.

Policies and Social Work Against Women Violence

Women violence is a widespread problem that affects millions of women and girls across the world. The gender-based violence that threatens the well-being, dignity, and rights of women extends across social, cultural, economic, and regional boundaries. Women in all countries, irrespective of status, class, age, caste, or religion, experience violence once in a lifetime. However, specific groups of women suffering from various forms of discrimination, such as women with disabilities, migrant women, and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women, are particularly vulnerable to violence. In this chapter, the author presents brief knowledge about the different type of violence against the women and also describe laws, policies, and social work which is used for the safety of the women. The theoretical framework is used to describe the remedies against violence and also help to provide love, safety, security, and shelter for every individual woman.

Breast Cancer

There are more than 3 million breast cancer survivors, with an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive cancer in the United States in 2019. A significant mortality disparity exists between white and black women diagnosed with breast cancer, especially for young black women. Advances in the understanding of the biology of breast cancer and newer therapeutic approaches have increased the complexity of the experience for all women. Anxiety, uncertainty, and inadequate information can result in significant distress during the decision-making process for primary treatment (breast conservation surgery with radiotherapy, mastectomy with or without reconstruction, prophylactic mastectomy), adjuvant therapy, and metastatic disease. Predictors of psychological distress include younger age, prior psychological problems, chemotherapy, non-Caucasian ethnicity, limited social support, lower socioeconomic status, increase in the subtype of triple-negative breast cancer, and moderate to severe physical symptom distress. Some level of psychological distress occurs in all women and permeates time spent in treatment as well as the transition to survivorship, when women attempt to integrate the entire breast cancer experience into their life. As providers personalize therapies based on biologic characteristics, we need to personalize psychosocial interventions based on the unique psychosocial experience of the individual woman.

Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Guideline Update

Objective The objective is to provide an update of the 2019 Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline for the pharmacological management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women using romosozumab. Conclusions We reviewed findings from the meta-analysis and primary clinical trials assessing the efficacy of romosozumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting sclerostin, for the prevention of fractures and concluded that this agent can be considered a treatment option for postmenopausal women at very high risk for osteoporotic fracture. The romosozumab label has a boxed warning, recommending careful consideration by the treating clinician as to cardiovascular risk profile in the individual woman who might receive this agent, since clinical trial data from an active comparator study show an imbalance in serious cardiovascular adverse events between romosozumab and alendronate.