Women's Health Research
Updates on women's health studies and discoveries — stay in the know with the latest science.
Retrospective multi-reader evaluation of a Deep-Learning-based cancer detection model in Contrast-Enhanced Mammography.
Study Overview: Researchers tested a deep-learning computer tool designed to help radiologists detect cancer in contrast-enhanced mammography images. Five radiologists reviewed 150 mammogram exams twice—once without the tool's assistance and once with it—to measure how the tool affected their accuracy and efficiency.
Key Results: The computer-aided tool improved performance when detecting individual lesions (abnormalities), increasing accuracy by an average of 0.030 on a diagnostic scale. At high sensitivity levels, the tool also reduced false alarms by approximately 11%. Additionally, one radiologist completed readings 31% faster with the tool's help. However, the tool did not show improvement when assessing entire breasts, likely because it analyzed only single images at a time.
Conclusion: Integrating this artificial intelligence tool into mammography workflows shows promise for improving cancer detection at the lesion level and reducing unnecessary false positives, while also potentially speeding up radiologist work. Researchers note this is one of the first clinical evaluations of such a tool for this type of imaging, though further development is needed to improve breast-level assessment.
Screening for Early Endometriosis Detection (SEED): Co-development of a Symptom-Based Screening Measure for Canadian Young Adults in Primary Care.
The Problem: Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, affects about 10% of Canadian women and 9% of transgender men. However, people with endometriosis often wait an average of 11 years from when symptoms start until they receive a diagnosis. During this time, they experience ongoing pain, uncertainty, and stigma. Existing screening tools have limitations because they were developed outside Canada and often focus on advanced cases of the disease.
The Solution: Researchers developed a new screening tool called SEED (Screening for Early Endometriosis Detection) designed specifically for Canadian young adults aged 18-25. The tool was created by adapting an existing screening measure called ENDOPAIN-4D. The team involved diverse participants including people living with endometriosis, gynecologists, pain specialists, family doctors, and other healthcare professionals.
The Process and Results: The research used a participatory approach involving multiple rounds of expert feedback through surveys and working meetings. In the first round, 65 experts identified key areas needing improvement, including making questions clearer and more appropriate for young Canadian adults. After refinement through additional expert input, the final tool consists of 22 items organized into 5 domains, making it a more practical screening measure for early detection in primary care settings.
Exercise in pregnant elite athletes: Physiological considerations, risks, and benefits.
Exercise during pregnancy can offer significant health benefits. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends moderate exercise throughout pregnancy, including aerobic and strengthening activities. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular fitness, enhance fetal vascular function, and reduce risks of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure disorders, delivering larger babies, and excessive weight gain.
Elite athletes face unique challenges during pregnancy. While current guidelines focus on recreational exercisers, pregnant elite athletes need tailored recommendations. This review of over 40 studies involving more than 4,000 women examined how pregnancy affects the body and the risks and benefits of high-intensity exercise for competitive athletes.
High-intensity exercise requires caution, but endurance training is generally safe. High-intensity activities can reduce blood flow to the fetus and may pose risks. However, endurance athletes can typically maintain their training programs during pregnancy. Athletes in high-altitude or contact sports should modify their activities. Future research should develop individualized guidelines to support the health of pregnant elite athletes.
Food and dietary supplement expenditures associated with dietary self-management among women with endometriosis: A cross-sectional study in Hungary.
A study conducted in Hungary examined the financial costs of special diets and dietary supplements for women with endometriosis compared to women without the condition. Researchers surveyed 1,645 women aged 14-45 (524 with endometriosis and 1,121 without) between December 2023 and August 2024, with a 90% response rate.
The results showed that women with endometriosis spent significantly more money on food and supplements than the comparison group. Despite having smaller households, 30% of women with endometriosis spent over €400 per month on food, compared to 24% in the control group. Additionally, women with endometriosis were more than twice as likely to spend over €35 monthly on dietary supplements (22% versus 9%). These women also adhered more strictly to special diets and used supplements more frequently.
Even after accounting for differences in socioeconomic status and other demographic factors, endometriosis remained significantly linked to higher spending on both food and supplements. The study concludes that endometriosis creates a substantial financial burden through dietary self-management expenses, suggesting the need for better evidence-based nutritional guidance and consideration of these economic costs when treating the condition.
Women in Stroke: A Conversation with Dr. Aleksandra Pikula on Prevention, Women's Health, Mentorship, and Leadership?
Dr. Aleksandra Pikula discusses the important topic of stroke prevention and treatment specifically in women. The conversation covers how stroke affects women differently than men and the importance of understanding these differences for better prevention and care strategies.
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on women's health more broadly and how factors like hormonal changes, pregnancy, and other female-specific health issues can influence stroke risk. Dr. Pikula emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to be aware of these unique risk factors when treating female patients.
The interview also addresses mentorship and leadership in the medical field, particularly for women in stroke research and treatment. Dr. Pikula discusses the importance of supporting and developing the next generation of female healthcare professionals and researchers, and the value of having women in leadership positions within neurology and stroke care.
Midlife physical activity and late-life subjective cognitive complaints in women.
Study Overview: Researchers examined whether physical activity during middle age could help prevent cognitive complaints later in life for women. They followed nearly 4,400 women from the New York University Women's Health Study, tracking their exercise habits starting in the mid-1980s (when participants averaged 46 years old) and then assessing cognitive complaints about 30 years later (when they averaged 78 years old).
Key Findings: Women who engaged in the most physical activity during midlife had a 20% lower risk of reporting multiple cognitive complaints in late life compared to those who were least active. This protective effect was even stronger among women who had never smoked. Moderate and vigorous exercise showed the greatest benefits, while mild activity did not show significant protection.
Why This Matters: Cognitive complaints in older age can sometimes signal the beginning of serious conditions like Alzheimer's disease, which disproportionately affects women over 65. This study suggests that maintaining regular physical activity during middle age may be an important way for women to protect their cognitive health as they age, highlighting the long-term benefits of midlife exercise habits.
Examining the relationship between D3Cr muscle mass, physical performance, and functional limitation in postmenopausal women.
This study examined the relationship between muscle mass and physical function in older postmenopausal women. Researchers used a non-invasive measurement method called D3-creatine (D3Cr) dilution to accurately assess muscle mass in 2,382 women from the Women's Health Initiative cohort, with an average age of 84.5 years.
The researchers measured physical performance through objective tests including balance, walking speed, the ability to stand from a chair, and hand grip strength. They also asked women to self-report any limitations in their physical function. The study found that women with higher muscle mass performed better on these physical tests and reported fewer functional limitations compared to women with lower muscle mass.
The findings showed a clear connection between muscle mass and physical ability: women in the highest group for muscle mass had better overall physical performance scores (7.8) compared to those in the lowest group (7.0), and women with low muscle mass were more likely to report difficulties with everyday physical activities. This large study confirms that maintaining adequate muscle mass is strongly associated with better physical performance and independence in older women.
Hot flashes and night sweats in relation to trouble sleeping and daytime sleepiness.
Researchers studied how hot flashes and night sweats affect sleep quality and daytime tiredness in middle-aged women. The study included 841 women aged 40-60 living in Qatar, who were grouped based on whether they experienced hot flashes, night sweats, both, or neither.
The results showed that night sweats had a stronger negative impact on sleep and energy levels than hot flashes. Women who experienced only night sweats were almost twice as likely to report trouble sleeping and more than twice as likely to report lacking energy, compared to women who had neither symptom. In contrast, women who experienced only hot flashes showed no significant difference in sleep problems or daytime fatigue compared to women with neither symptom.
The study concluded that night sweats are more disruptive to women's sleep quality and daytime energy levels than hot flashes alone. These findings suggest that addressing night sweats specifically may be an important focus for improving sleep and reducing daytime fatigue in menopausal women.
Association Between Pregnant Women's Risk Perception and Uptake of Antenatal Care Practices.
A study of 270 pregnant women in Turkey examined how their perception of pregnancy risks influences their participation in prenatal care. Researchers conducted face-to-face interviews and used a scale to measure how much risk pregnant women felt was associated with their pregnancies.
The findings showed that nearly all participants (97.4%) attended regular prenatal appointments. However, engagement with specific care practices varied significantly. For example, 84% of women took iron and vitamin D supplements and received tetanus vaccination, but only about half underwent glucose tolerance testing. On average, women reported low to moderate levels of perceived risk.
The research found a clear link between risk perception and care practices: women who perceived higher levels of pregnancy-related risk were significantly more likely to participate in all recommended antenatal care practices. The authors conclude that assessing pregnant women's risk perception during routine care could help support better decision-making and improve their uptake of important screenings, supplements, and vaccinations, ultimately benefiting maternal health outcomes.
Women's Perceptions of Sexual Function During the Postpartum Period: Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence.
This systematic review examined what women experience and feel about their sexuality after giving birth. The research team looked at qualitative studies from diverse regions including Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, North America, and Oceania to understand women's perspectives on sexual health during the postpartum period.
The analysis of 15 qualitative studies revealed three main themes: how women adjust emotionally and psychologically to sexuality after childbirth, how their sexual functioning changes, and what external factors—such as relationships, culture, and available support—influence their experiences. The researchers found their results to be highly reliable.
The key findings show that postpartum women commonly face several challenges, including physical pain, anxiety about resuming sexual activity, reduced sexual desire, negative feelings about their bodies, and cultural pressures. Many women also lack adequate support and find that sexuality is rarely discussed openly in healthcare settings. The researchers conclude that healthcare providers should recognize sexuality as an important part of overall postpartum health and provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that centers on women's needs and experiences.