BMC Women's Health最新文献

Objectives: To compare the differences in clinical characteristics between different types of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) according to the invasive levels of tissue mass.

Methods: 122 patients, who had undergone resection of AWE lesions at our hospital from January 2011 to January 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three types according to their deepest level of lesion invasion. Type I designated invasion of skin and subcutaneous tissue; type II, of the fascial rectus abdominis; and type III, of the muscle and/or peritoneum. The general conditions, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, surgical and postoperative conditions, and recurrence, were classified, compared, and analyzed.

Results: Of the 122 patients, type I patients accounted for 23.0%, type II patients for 45.1%, and type III for 31.9%. With respect to group comparisons, we observed that as the location of the mass deepened, the size of the mass increased (P < 0.001), the rate of concurrent pelvic endometriosis increased (0%, 7.2%, 10.3%, respectively), the rate of multiple lesions became elevated (3.6%, 10.9%, 15.4%, respectively), the rate of mesh implantation increased (P = 0.0012), and the risk of drainage placement (P = 0.0012) was enhanced, the length of postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.0042) was lengthened, the number of postoperative fever cases (3.6%, 3.6%, 15.4%, respectively) increased. With a median follow-up time of 93 months, only 2 cases, including 1 case in type I and 1 case in type II, were diagnosed as recurrence. Rates were not statistically significant by the different groups.

Conclusion: The different types of AWE have an impact on surgical results, but no impact on the chance of recurrence. Type III AWE carries more severe clinical manifestations, larger lesion size, longer operative time, higher necessity of mesh implantation, and longer postoperative recovery process. Complete resection of AWE lesion is the main therapeutically approach and shows relatively low long-term recurrency rate.

Background: Concentrations of female sex hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle (MC), while hormonal contraceptives (HC) generally suppress hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis function resulting in lower concentrations of endogenous estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). Little attention has been paid to changes in androgen concentrations during MC and HC phases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate changes in androgen concentrations over the MC and HC phases.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional analysis across MC and HC phases using four time points. E2, P4, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (tT), free testosterone (fT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S) were analyzed from the serum of healthy, physically active, naturally menstruating (NM = 36), hormonal intrauterine device using (IUD = 12) and combined HCs using (CHC = 25) females.

Results: In NM, concentrations of tT (β = 0.16, p = 0.050), fT (β = 1.85, p < 0.001) and DHEA (β = 5.29, p = 0.045) were significantly higher at ovulatory phase and concentrations of DHEA-S at the mid-follicular phase (β = 0.32, p = 0.012) compared to bleeding. In IUD, tT concentrations fluctuated significantly being highest at mid-cycle (β = 0.34, p = 0.001) compared to the sample defined as measurement 1 (based on bleeding and/or hormonal concentrations). In CHC, concentrations of E2, P4, tT, fT, DHEA, and DHEA-S remained unchanged between the HC phases.

Conclusions: Since the endogenous hormonal milieu, including androgens, may affect female physiology, considering the fluctuation in androgen levels over the MC and HC phases may be of importance in physiological research.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between mothers' perceptions of respectful maternity care and their parental self-confidence levels.

Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted online using the snowball sampling method with 425 mothers who had a baby aged 0-1 year and experienced a normal birth.

Results: The mean age of the mothers was 28.32 ± 5.46 years. Mothers reported high levels of respectful maternity care perception. Variables such as place of birth, birth experience, medical interventions during birth, and receiving support during childbirth significantly influenced respectful maternity care perception. Additionally, a weak but positive correlation was found between respectful maternity care perception and parental self-confidence levels.

Conclusion: These findings emphasize that respectful maternity care plays a key role in strengthening mothers' confidence in their parenting abilities. Enhancing supportive, non-interventionist, and positive birth environments may therefore contribute to improved maternal outcomes and a more empowering childbirth experience.

Background: Breastfeeding (BF) is a global practice essential for infant nutrition and maternal-child bonding. However, breastfeeding-related musculoskeletal pain (BFMP) is a common yet under-researched condition that may impair functional ability and contribute to early weaning. Although BFMP has been investigated in several populations, limited evidence exists regarding its prevalence, associations, and functional impact among lactating mothers in Arabic-speaking countries.

Methods: A cross-sectional study utilized an online questionnaire developed in Microsoft Forms and distributed via different social media platforms through convenience and snowball sampling. Eligible participants included Arabic-speaking non-pregnant mothers aged 18 years or older who had been breastfeeding for at least one month. The questionnaire, adapted from validated tools, underwent expert review and pilot testing for the BF characteristics and infant/toddler characteristics. Additionally, pain severity (using the Numeric Rating Scale), and functional limitations (Neck Disability Index, Oswestry Disability Index, and DASH) were assessed. SPSS program, version 27 was used to analyze data using binary logistic regression, Spearman rho, and chi-square tests to identify associations between BFMP and related variables.

Results: Out of 471 participants (mean age = 31.3 ± 5.6 years), 81.7% reported BFMP, with the back (40.4%) and upper extremities (36.8%) being the most affected areas chosen. Higher maternal age, longer feeding duration and frequent sessions were linked to increased pain (p < 0.05). Moreover, Use of ergonomic support during BF was associated with lower pain scores (p = 0.01). Functional limitations were significantly associated with pain severity (p < 0.001). Furthermore, Psychological distress and a tendency toward early weaning were significantly higher among those with severe pain (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Breastfeeding- related musculoskeletal pain (BFMP) is highly prevalent among lactating mothers in Arabic-speaking countries and significantly affects functional capacity and breastfeeding (BF) sustainability. These findings underscore the need for targeted ergonomic education and early multidisciplinary intervention including physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) to support maternal health and prolong successful BF.