The Impact of Preconceptional Multiple-Micronutrient Supplementation on Female Fertility

In industrialized countries, fertility has declined in recent years to the lowest recorded levels. Identifying modifiable factors that influence human fertility, such as diet, is therefore of major clinical and public health relevance. Micronutrient status is a modifiable risk factor that may have an impact on female fertility, as essential vitamins and minerals have important roles in the physiological processes that are involved. Adequate levels are important for oocyte quality, maturation, fertilization, and implantation, whereas antioxidants are vital to reduce oxidative stress, a process known to impair fertility. In women who are diagnosed as infertile, lower than recommended levels of certain micronutrients have been reported. A similar scenario has been found in a proportion of women of childbearing age in general, some of whom may be struggling to conceive. Supplementation studies with multiple micronutrients are still scarce, but the literature suggests that supplementation before conception can help restore micronutrient status to recommended levels and reduce oxidative stress when antioxidants are included. Overall, supplementation has a small but beneficial effect on fertility in healthy and infertile women, including a shorter time to pregnancy and an increased chance of becoming pregnant. Nevertheless, many studies are small or observational, and adequately powered randomized controlled trials of supplementation with multiple micronutrients are necessary to confirm any definite effects on fertility. This review substantiates the potential benefits of micronutrient supplementation beyond the prevention of neural tube defects, the traditionally viewed value of prenatal vitamin use.

Structural Racism and Severe Maternal Morbidity in New York State

Objective: We examined the association between county-level structural racism indicators and the odds of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in New York State. Design: We merged individual-level hospitalization data from the New York State Department of Health Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) with county-level data from the American Community Survey and the Vera Institute of Justice from 2011 to 2013 (n = 244 854). Structural racism in each county included in our sample was constructed as the racial inequity (ratio of black to white population) in female educational attainment, female employment, and incarceration. Results: Multilevel logistic regression analysis estimated the association between each of these structural racism indicators and SMM, accounting for individual- and hospital-level characteristics and clustering in facilities. In the models adjusted for individual- and hospital-level factors, county-level racial inequity in female educational attainment was associated with small but statistically significant higher odds of SMM (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47, 1.85). County-level structural racism indicators of female employment inequity and incarceration inequity were not statistically significant. Interaction terms examining potential effect measure modification by race with each structural racism indicator also indicated no statistical difference. Conclusions: Studies of maternal disparities should consider multiple dimensions of structural racism as a contributing cause to SMM and as an additional area for potential intervention.

Estimation of Gastric Volume Before Anesthesia in Term-Pregnant Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section, Compared With Non-pregnant or First-Trimester Women Undergoing Minor Gynecological Surgical Procedures

Background: Traditionally, intubation of pregnant women has been performed using a rapid sequence induction. This is due to the classical concept that women with more than 18 weeks of pregnancy (mid-second trimester) are always considered to have an increased risk of aspiration due to a number of factors, regardless of the fasting duration. Rapid sequence induction is associated with a higher rate of adverse events. Aims: Our study aimed to illuminate the hypothesis that there is no difference in gastric volume between term-pregnant women and non-pregnant or first-trimester pregnant women who were undergoing minor gynecological surgical procedures. Accordingly, we measured gastric volume and content before anesthesia in term-pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section, and to compare it with non-pregnant or first-trimester pregnant women who were undergoing minor gynecological surgical procedures. Methods: In this single-center prospective study, the gastric volume and content were assessed by abdominal ultrasound (AUS) just prior to the scheduled procedure. AUS was performed in the sagittal or para-sagittal plain in the upright position and the stomach content was estimated according to the antral circumferential area. Group 1 consisted of 50 term-pregnant women scheduled for cesarean section. Group 2 consisted of 45 non-pregnant or first-trimester pregnant women who were scheduled for minor gynecologic procedure. Results: Despite significant longer fasting time prior to the interventional procedure in the non-pregnant or first-trimester women group, there was no significant difference in gastric volume between term-pregnant and first-trimester pregnant women (3.2 ± 0.97 cm2 vs 3.2 ± 0.79 cm2; P = .97). Gastric volume was small in the two groups. Conclusion: Fasting gastric volume before cesarean section in term-pregnant women is small and is not different than in non-pregnant or first-trimester women undergoing minor gynecologic procedures. Ultrasound estimation of gastric volume is a reliable and easy-to-perform technique which might help in decision-making regarding the airway management prior to induction of anesthesia in pregnant women.

Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Associated With Development of Transient Low Back Pain During Prolonged Standing? A Protocol

Background: Prolonged standing has been associated with an increased prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and is recognized as a potential workplace hazard for employees such as retail staff, assembly line workers, and healthcare personnel. Low back pain is more prevalent in women than in men, and disability due to LBP is worse in women with severe urinary incontinence. However, it is unclear whether pelvic floor dysfunction observed in stress urinary incontinence is a risk factor for LBP. The main purpose of this study is to determine whether co-activation patterns between the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles during a 2-hour prolonged standing task predict transient LBP in women with and without stress urinary incontinence. Methods: In this is prospective cohort study, 60 female volunteers will stand in a confined area for 2 hours (120 minutes) while performing tasks such as, ‘computer work’ and ‘small object assembly’. The primary outcome measure is transient LBP, which will be monitored every 10 minutes using a numeric pain rating scale. Surface electromyography (EMG) will be collected from the gluteus medius and internal oblique/transverse abdominis muscles, and an intravaginal electrode will be used to monitor pelvic floor muscle activity. The EMG signals will be divided into 12 10-minute blocks to assess changes in co-activation over time. Cross-correlation analyses will be used to quantify co-activation between the muscle pairs (e.g. pelvic floor and internal oblique/transverse abdominis), and the coefficient of co-activation will be expressed as a percentage for each block. A mixed-model regression analysis will be used to determine whether co-activation patterns can predict transient LBP during the prolonged standing task. Discussion: The primary objective of this research is to improve current understanding regarding the role of pelvic floor muscles in the onset of LBP and the potential association between stress urinary incontinence and LBP. These findings have the potential to inform prevention and rehabilitation programmes for women with stress urinary incontinence and LBP. Trial registration: ACTRN12618000446268 [Protocol Version 2].

The Prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D and Its Associated Risk Factors Among Women of Reproductive Age in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vitamin D deficiency is currently a worldwide epidemic. Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, have high vitamin D deficiency prevalence, most prominently among women, despite their plentiful year-round sunshine. Previous research investigating vitamin D status among Saudi women of reproductive age (15-49 years) is scarce, and no study has used a nationally representative sample, so this review quantified overall hypovitaminosis D prevalence among women in Saudi Arabia and explored the associated risk factors. The Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline databases were searched for prior studies in Saudi Arabia exploring vitamin D status among women of reproductive age, published between January 1, 2000 and May 25, 2017. Data were extracted from the identified studies, and a random effects model meta-analysis established the overall hypovitaminosis D prevalence. The initial search yielded 223 possibly relevant articles; 13 were confirmed as eligible, with samples totaling 2877 women aged between 15 and 49 years. Meta-analysis revealed a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D, level of 13.1 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.6-14.6) and an overall prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, defined as 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL, of 77.4% (95% CI: 63.2-87.3), mostly due to insufficient sunlight exposure and low dietary vitamin D intake. There is therefore a need for a national strategy to raise vitamin D levels among women in Saudi Arabia by advising them on natural vitamin D sources, and recommending the timing and duration of sun exposure, while also defining a national approach to vitamin D fortification and supplementation.

PAUSE: A Patient-Centric Tool to Support Patient-Provider Engagement on Menopause

There are powerful demographic, political, and environmental trends shaping women’s health. Increases in life expectancy, literacy, and empowerment are fueling expansions in education and advocacy. Research and development focuses on women’s health and fertility across an expanded age spectrum. There is also a cultural emphasis on antiaging and aesthetics. In parallel, the digital revolution is changing how health care is accessed by and delivered to women. A women’s journey through menopause is at the crossroads of these transformations. Medical and social platforms encourage women to embrace menopause as a pivotal life stage. Yet, many women are reticent to discuss “the transition” due to embarrassment about its symptoms, lack of awareness of its physical manifestations, or fear of aging. We introduce a patient-centric framework to support patient-provider engagement on menopause: prevention, anxiety, urogenital symptoms, vasomotor symptoms, and education. Although not comprehensive, PAUSE represents an acronym and reminder to focus a portion of the medical interaction on menopause.

A Prospective Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin-A in the Management of Dysfunctional Voiding in Women

Objectives: To assess the outcomes of Botulinum Toxin-A (BoNT-A) to the external urethral sphincter (EUS) in dysfunctional voiding (DV) refractory to standard urotherapy and bowel management. Methods: Our criteria to diagnose DV in women included neurologically normal individuals with lower urinary tract symptoms, dilated proximal urethra on voiding cystourethrogram, and high detrusor pressure (PdetQmax > 20 cm H2O) associated with increased electromyography activity during voiding in urodynamic study (UDS). A total of 16 female patients with a median age of 36 years (5-60 years) received BoNT-A from June 2014 to December 2015. Patients below and above 10 years of age received 100 units and 200 units of BoNT-A to EUS, respectively. Patients were followed up till 6 months. Results: Mean AUA (American Urological Association) symptom score decreased significantly from 11.75 ± 6.14 to 5.06 ± 5.1 and 4.25 ± 3.4 at day 14 and day 45 after BoNT-A, respectively ( P < .0001). There were no significant improvements in maximal flow (Qmax) on uroflowmetry (UFM) and detrusor pressure at maximal flow (PdetQmax) in UDS. Significant reduction in post-void residual (PVR) from 69.31 ± 77.3 to 17.50 ± 22.3 mL at day 14 ( P = .007) was observed, although the reduction was not significant at day 45. Although minor adverse effects were reported, none were serious or life-threatening. Conclusions: Our study showed that BoNT-A plays a role in improvement of urinary symptoms and reduces PVR at D14 in DV, but showed no improvement in UFM and urodynamic parameters, albeit with limited numbers and limited follow-up.

Visible-Near Infrared Spectroscopic Assessment of Urogenital Tissue in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Background: A clinical study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a potential noninvasive measure of genital skin health in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 45 female subjects (aged 21-70 years), all of whom gave fully informed consent to participate, were enrolled in the study and assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 15 premenopausal (Pre-M), 15 postmenopausal receiving hormone replacement therapy (Post-M HRT), and 15 postmenopausal receiving no form of hormone replacement therapy (Post-M non-HRT). Spectral measurements were taken at the vaginal mucosa, and spectral data were evaluated for the erythema index (EI), hemoglobin index (HI), bilirubin/β-carotene, and melanin. The color index (CI; calculated as the ratio of absorbance at 480 nm/540 nm) was also determined. Results were compared with previously published results on biomarkers and physical characteristic of genital tissue measured on the same groups of women. Results: Spectral measurements from the Post-M Non-HRT subjects indicated a significant reduction in HI compared with the Pre-M group ( P = .0003) and to the Post-M HRT group ( P < .0001). Similarly, EI was reduced in the Post-M Non-HRT ( P < .0001 and P = .0041 for the Pre-M and Post-M HRT groups, respectively). In contrast, the Post-M Non-HRT subjects exhibited a significant increase in β-carotene compared with the Pre-M subjects ( P = .0098). Bilirubin and melanin were not significantly affected. The Post-M Non-HRT group exhibited a significant increase in CI, indicating a shift away from the hemoglobin absorption region (510-620 nm wavelength) and toward the bilirubin/β-carotene absorption region (450-490 nm wavelength). This change was significant when compared with both the Pre-M group ( P < .0001) and the Post-M HRT group ( P = .0048). The changes in spectral measurements were consistent with previously reported changes in physical parameters (vaginal atrophy, increased pH, decreased skin temperature) and with decreased concentrations of the biomarkers histamine and histidine. Conclusions: Hemodynamic spectral characteristics differ in postmenopausal vaginal tissue compared with tissue in premenopausal women, with decreased absorbance in the hemoglobin absorption region (510-620 nm wavelength) and an increased absorbance in the bilirubin/β-carotene absorption region (450-490 nm wavelength). A change in absorbance in the visible and NIR wavelengths is a promising, additional measure of genital skin health related to menopause and vulvovaginal atrophy.