Insights & Updates

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive modality for detection of breast cancer; yet, as its use in screening is expanded from high-risk patients to intermediate- and average-risk individuals, positive predictive value deteriorates, leading to unnecessary biopsies and follow-up. To improve the overall accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis and allow for personalization of patient management, Witowski et al., reporting in Science Translational Medicine(1), propose an artificial intelligence-based solution. A system of deep neural networks was trained to output the probability of malignancy given the MRI sequences of a patient’s breast. The deep learning system performed equivalently to board-certified breast radiologists, generalized well to different patient populations in three external test sets, and was unbiased with respect to patient race. Importantly, the model predictions could serve as an aid for downgrading certain breast lesions from BI-RADS 4 to BI-RADS 3, enabling patients with lower risk of malignancy to opt of unnecessary biopsies. The results of the study underscore the value of...

A recent study from researchers at Washington State University has shown success in keeping semen in its gel form to block sperm movement and possibly prevent pregnancy. The methods used in this study may eventually materialize into a non-hormonal female contraception method that could be available for over-the-counter purchase. Past research on mice found that the use of a non-specific protease inhibitor called AEBSF prevented the degradation of the protein of Semenogelin 1. Semenogelin 1 (SEMG1) is a protein that traps semen and prevents movement; therefore, its degradation is necessary for sperm liquefaction, where semen is transformed from a gel-like consistency to liquid. By inhibiting the degradation of SEMG1, the researchers were able to prevent the female mice from becoming pregnant. To determine the efficacy of these inhibitors in humans for contraception, the study tested the effects of AEBSF on SEMG1 degradation, which prevented degradation and reduced sperm motility. They next tested the results of a neutralizing antibody that directly inhibited...

The global incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is high, which has adverse effects on sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Given the widespread use of hormonal contraceptives (HC), it is important to consider their potential etiological association with acquisition of STIs. In a systematic review and meta-analysis recently published in Scientific Reports(1), Akter et al. examined associations between HC use (progesterone-only, combined estrogen-progesterone, or unspecified) and prevalence, incidence, or recurrence of STIs, compared with a control group of non-users of HC. A positive association with HC use was observed for risk of chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex virus type 2, in contrast to a negative association for risk of trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. Importantly, only around half of all associations included in the meta-analysis were adjusted for condom use. Furthermore, while a plausible biological explanation based on the interaction between pathogen, host immune response, and vaginal microbiome can be proposed for these findings, the effects of differential sexual behavior, testing,...

In 2021, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) found that only four out of every ten women use contraception in Nigeria. To help address this sexual and reproductive health disparity (SRH), the World Health Organization (WHO) has coordinated with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health employing a people-centered, and gendered approach to increase the accessibility of SRH services. In particular, WHO has found that self-administration of injectable contraception has already made strides in improving contraceptive uptake regionally. This method has been made available directly within communities through pharmacies and drug stores.   The UN reports that self-administered methods are popular because women can use it in any setting, whether they are in a community setting, refugee camp, or anywhere else. The injection provided by WHO allows up to three months of contraceptive cover, which assists women who desire long-lasting protection. The organization states that this intervention helps give women greater autonomy, and even reduces the pressure on health workers, especially in conflict settings where...

In “Midwives can alleviate the maternal health crisis. Here’s how,” The Hill reporters Lauren K. Hall and Elise Amez-Droz argue that bringing back midwives is an essential maternal health care initiative. Right now, the United States has the worst maternal mortality rate of developed nations and has a host of issues threatening delivery care. Medicaid covers 42% of births a year in the United States, but its poor reimbursement rates incentivize providers to opt out of the program. Because of low provider pay and COVID-19 overwhelming hospitals, 7 million Americans live in areas with limited access to maternity care, putting their health in danger. Hall and Amez-Droz argue that the United States should remove regulations to midwives practicing autonomously by splitting Medicaid reimbursement for birthing care, making it easier for non-medical providers to cooperate, and roll back some licensing laws around midwifery. Black mothers, who face the highest rate of maternal mortality in the United states, are increasingly seeking midwives...

The annual International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) took place November 14-17 in Pattaya City, Thailand. This conference featured various stakeholders, organizations, government officials, and care providers who met to discuss the current global trends in family planning and reproductive health and discuss creative solutions to address some of the major issues. The conference designates itself as “a platform, a movement, and a community” where commitments, advancements, and achievements can be shared and made. The conference offered a wide array of sessions and speaker events, discussing relevant issues, such as “From idea to implementation: Delivering on the promise of contraceptive technology innovation,” “FP2030: An all-Inclusive Look: Tailored FP Services to Meet the Needs of LGBTI groups,” “Progress and Rollbacks: US restrictions on abortion rights in a global context,” and many more. Many organizations and researchers were able to present their current research on new family planning technologies. The 2022 conference theme explored Universal Health Coverage and how it relates to...

Image Credit to Flo Health Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal and metabolic disorder that results in enlarged ovaries (sometimes with small cysts on the outer edges). It effects 5-10% of women of childbearing age, and its symptoms can be extremely painful and difficult to deal with. The cause of PCOS is unknown, but it is often associated with insulin resistance, present within familial lines, and likely connected to an irregular production of the androgen hormone.   Despite its prevalence, PCOS is frequently misdiagnosed. This is due to the range of potential causes of its symptoms. Symptoms can include pelvic pain, missed periods, fatigue, excess hair growth, trouble getting pregnant, headaches, moodiness, heavy menstrual bleeding, trouble sleeping, excess weight gain and difficulty losing weight, and more. This range of symptoms make it difficult to identify PCOS, especially from the more common symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding. For example, heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, bleeding disorders, medications, polyps,...

On November 16th, the International Conference on Family Planning in Thailand, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Special Research Programme HRP, and the FP2030 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that committed to strengthen cooperation on sexual and reproductive health and rights, with a special emphasis on family planning.   In signing this document, all three organizations pledged to continue to work together to provide high-level leadership that assists countries in realizing their family planning commitments. A WHO representative, Dr. Pascale Allotey said that ““270 million women around the world have an unmet need for contraception, jeopardizing their health, their well-being and their futures. Our MoU calls attention to the urgency of the situation and commits to accelerated action on this most fundamental issue of sexual and reproductive health and rights.”’   Further, WHO issued eight commitments that intend to expand access to modern contraceptives to FP2030, a international partnership of globally-focused organizations working on family planning. These commitments which endeavor to make...

In the light of excessive anti-abortion laws being passed across the United States, Vogue aims to highlight a major option for safe abortions: abortion pills. Medication abortion, which involves taking mifepristone and misoprostol 48 hours apart to empty the uterus, is not often talked about in the media. Vogue spoke to 5 people who chose to have a medication abortion over a surgical one, hoping to share their experiences with those who may be wondering what to do. Mia, a 34-year-old who was frightened of COVID-19 exposure in 2020, opted for a medical abortion in the comfort of their home. Jen had a failed vacuum aspiration and used medication abortion to finally eliminate an unwanted pregnancy. Claire had a medication abortion at 16 years old in her boyfriend’s house, too scared to tell her parents what she was doing. Alina and Amy both recalled fearing going to Planned Parenthood and being picketed by anti-abortion protesters, so they wanted to terminate...

In October 2022, the Regional Gender Task Force (RGTF) published a report titled “Making the Invisible Visible: An evidence-based analysis of gender in the regional response to the war in Ukraine” describing the adverse impacts of the ongoing conflict on all genders and marginalized groups. The section “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” is dedicated to discussing SRHR issues that have arisen in the war, as well as solutions through the humanitarian response. While few restrictions are present in Ukraine for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, many surrounding countries have strict policies that limit abortions and make contraceptive access difficult. Legal, language, and financial barriers have restricted Ukrainian refugees from seeking high-quality SRH, increasing the risk of adverse SRH outcomes. The conflict has also increased the difficulty in accessing SRH services in Ukraine or neighboring countries, due to the attacks on health-related infrastructure and disruption of health and SRH organizations. According to the report, disruptions in health care services and...