FACT or FICTION: Menstrual Synching; and Use of the “Q” Word!

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is known as a normal vaginal microbiota resulting in low lactobacilli; it affects one-quarter to one-third of reproductive-age women. The BV treatment landscape has not appreciably changed in decades: in the US, metronidazole and clindamycin are recommended as first-line treatments for symptomatic BV, and secnidazole and tinidazole are used as alternatives. Although these treatments are effective in the short term, up to 60% of women experience BV recurrence within 1 year of treatment. Some have more frequent recurrences. Suppressive vaginal metronidazole fails for 25% of patients and leads to secondary vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in up to 40%, and many patients have BV recurrence after stopping suppressive therapy. But now a “new” therapeutic option has been in print and is attracting a lot of attention. DQC has been available in other parts of the world for decades, and recently published results from a new European clinical investigation (May 2024) adds more reassuring date. This has led many in the United States to call for trials in this country to begin FDA approval. Listen in for details.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in newborns and children. Tocolytic drugs aim to delay preterm birth by suppressing uterine contractions to allow time for administration of corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation, magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection, and transport to a facility with appropriate neonatal care facilities. However, there is still uncertainty about their effectiveness and safety. Plus, more than 90% of the data regarding tocolytic use comes from patients with threatened preterm labor with intact membranes, with (according to the WHO) only 9% of available data is regarding patients with ruptured membranes. But in May 2024, a new publication adds further information to this subset of patients. In this episode, we will review this ongoing controversy regarding the benefits of tocolytic therapy, and when they may provide the most efficacy. And yes, of course, we will provide the ACOG guidance as well.

Haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and sepsis are responsible for more than half of maternal deaths worldwide. Further, it is estimated that for every death, there are 50 pregnant people with life-threatening morbidity from sepsis. Heartbreakingly, the incidence of puerperal sepsis has risen over the last decade, in some cases doubling, with increasing rates of severe sepsis contributing to mortality. Underlying this trend is increasing virulence of group A streptococcal (GAS) infection. This is suspected to be due to the predominance of emm1 and emm28 genotypes, which have higher associations with mortality, as well as increasing maternal risk factors for infection such as obesity and DM. PLUS, certain GAS antibiotic resistance is on the rise. Group A streptococcus infection remains an important contributor to pregnancy and puerperal morbidity and mortality. Early recognition, diagnosis and aggressive management are Important for favorable outcomes given the serious risk of sepsis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. In this episode, we will highlight this alarming rise of Group A strep in the peripartum period including the most recent 2021 International Society for Infectious Disease in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISIDOG) guidelines regarding GAS in pregnancy. Listen in for details.

Menopausal HRT is getting a big, big facelift! Get ready for new research trials, physician education programs, and patient awareness campaigns on menopause! Since the WHI study was released in 2002, the world of menopausal HRT has gone through some major changes. WHI initially led to confusion and fear regarding the use of menopausal HRT. But now, 30 years later, where do we stand? In this episode, we will highlight 2 brand new publications released on May 1, 2024, which prove that we are finally digging out of the hole of WHI. Plus, there’s a Hollywood actress behind the new menopause awareness campaign… and we’ll tell you who that is, and more, in this episode. 😊😊😊

Just the other day in my University clinic, in one single morning, I had 3 separate patients with three very interesting histories; these became the basis of this episode. It’s amazing what’s out there in daily practice! So, we will dive into these 3 main questions which arose from these 3 patient encounters: 1. What single test is recommended before initiation of combination birth control pills? And if this is recommended, how do online pharmacies prescribe prescription birth control? 2. Does PCOS cause other hormone (Prolactin? HCG?) disturbances? And 3., Is treatment of acne within the wheelhouse of women’s healthcare providers? We’ve got lots to cover in this episode…so let’s get started, NOW.

Well, once again… Late breaking news! Today, April 30, 2024, the USPSTF released its updated recommendations for breast cancer screening (mammography) in average risk patients. This follows a firestorm of controversy and backlash over the last 1 to 2 years as the USPSTF continued to recommend initiation of mammogram at age 50, despite the increased incidence of breast cancer in women in their 40s. In this episode, we will review this brand new recommendation and summarize the ACOG response from ACOG President, Dr. Hicks.

Traditionally, clinical guidance has incorporated maternal fever as a required criterion for suspected intraamniotic infection. That is exactly what is stated in the ACOG committee opinion #712 from 2017. However, not all patients with clinical IAI have fever! Having fever as a required part of the diagnostic criterion may result in delayed administration of appropriate antibiotics intrapartum. This has now been addressed by the ACOG! Today, on April 29, 2024, the ACOG released a practice update regarding the criteria for the diagnosis of suspected intra-amniotic infection. This is hot of the press, and we will break it down for us all in this episode. 🔥🔥🔥🎙️🎙️🎙️👍👍🙏

Regenerative Medicine is definitively a HOT and marketable offering across a variety of medical disciplines. But it is equally as controversial. The most well known type of regenerative medicine is the use of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). This has been proposed as a novel care therapy for musculoskeletal pain disorders, and a variety of GYNECOLOGICAL applications- including POI, pelvic floor dysfunction, uterine infertility treatment, and even some forms of vaginal fistulas. AND YES... RPR is even being used as a type of cosmetic fascial (with a new CDC health investigation underway!). In this episode, we will review the concept of Regenerative Medicine in gynecology, summarizing some key points from a brand new narrative review of the subject published in the Green Journal (Obstetrics Gynecology).

WOW. There has been a lot of new developments in the ObGyn world within the last 48 hours. In this episode, we will highlight 3 big developments/alerts regarding women’s healthcare: 1. the FDA’s approval of a new oral antibiotic for UTIs in females; 2. The updated ACOG practice advisory regarding maternal cell-free fetal RHD testing; and 3. The FDA’s recent (within last 24 hours) clearance of a new digital app for postpartum depression (MAMMALIFT). Special shout out to Dr. Colton for bringing MAMMALIFT to my attention.

(With Resident Co-Host Dr Taylor Apley) Menstrual synchrony is often reported by all-female living groups and by mothers, daughters and sisters who are living together. Is this real? Is this a pheromone issue? Is there biological signaling occurring here? The answer may surprise you! How does this work? Or does it work at all? And…what is the “MALE Effect”?? Where did this concept come from? This topic of menstrual synchronization is still getting its share of publications, like from November 2023- which we will review. Yep, we’re going to get into this fun topic in this episode. PLUS…DON’T say the “Q” word when all is still in L&D, or the ER. Or the OR! Saying the word QUIET is a sure-fire way to increase hospital admissions and patient pass through, right?! Can you believe there is an RCT that actually studied this? YEP…we’ll check out this issue as well: Fact or FICTION? Listen in, and find out.