Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports最新文献

Purpose of review: Obesity continues to affect many women globally. In the USA, almost 40% of all women are obese and many of these women use hormonal contraception for pregnancy prevention. How well hormonal contraceptive works for these individuals has been an area of ongoing research. Pharmacokinetics (PK), the study of drug passage through the body, can shed light on how differences in physiology between obese and non-obese populations can impact drug disposition and subsequent efficacy. This review aims to reflect on these types of studies and empower clinicians with information to help tackle the challenges of the obesity epidemic and help them provide the best contraceptive options to their patients. Here, we present the basics of the mechanisms of action of hormonal contraception, fundamental pharmacokinetic principles, and the latest research into pharmacokinetics, obesity, and hormonal contraception.

Recent findings: New studies focused on the PK of hormonal contraception in women with obesity have shown that while there are distinct differences in how steroid hormones are processed in women with different body mass indices, contraceptive efficacy is likely the same. This is replicated in studies involving a variety of hormonal contraceptive methods.

Summary: PK studies allow for a detailed analysis of steroid hormone processing in individuals with obesity. Observing PK parameters at each stage of the passage of these hormones through the body, researchers have drilled down on physiologic differences that accompany obesity. In reviewing these PK parameter differences, however, it appears that while processes are different, the end result of pregnancy prevention is likely not compromised in the setting of obesity. Emergency contraception, which functions by a different mechanism from that of continuous hormonal contraception, is the one area in which obesity has been demonstrated to impact efficacy.

Purpose of review: There is increasing interest in the long-term health and comorbid conditions associated with endometriosis for both women and neonates. The purpose of this review was to synthesize and discuss the current state of the literature investigating endometriosis and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Recent findings: Methodologic considerations for studying endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes include complexities regarding the comparison population, endometriosis definition, sample size, residual confounding, and interactions. The current research on endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes should be interpreted cautiously. To date, evidence suggests that endometriosis may be associated with higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, preterm birth, and cesarean section. While an association with miscarriage and stillbirth has been consistently observed, the relative risk was small.

Summary: Pregnant women with endometriosis may be at higher risk for certain adverse pregnancy outcomes and may therefore benefit from additional monitoring. However, additional research is needed to confirm these associations and should focus on ensuring studies have internal and external validity, as well as, investigate the potential for differences in endometriosis phenotypes. Moreover, future research should focus on understanding potential mechanisms of association and better understanding how early interventions, through increased monitoring or screening during pregnancy, may improve outcomes.