ABSTRACT Postpartum diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), characterized by increased inter-rectus distance (IRD), is common and linked to functional impairments, but its association with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) remains uncertain. This study investigated whether IRD correlates with pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function and examined the association between DRA and PFD in primiparous women during the remote postpartum period. This cross-sectional study included primiparous women 45 days to 12 months postpartum. The IRD and PFM function were assessed using standardized ultrasound protocols, with additional clinical, anthropometric, and questionnaire data collected in face-to-face interviews. PFD and sexual function were evaluated using the QMAP-Br and FSFI-6 instruments, respectively. Among 51 primiparous women, DRA was most prevalent at the umbilical level (31.4 percent), weak PFM function was observed in 60.8 percent, and sexual dysfunction in 62.8 percent. No significant correlations were found between IRD and PFM function. Weak correlations were identified between IRD (supraumbilical and umbilical levels) and PFD, and between IRD and sexual function. Greater IRD at the umbilical and infraumbilical levels was associated with a lower likelihood of absent/weak PFM function, and DRA at the infraumbilical level was strongly associated with sexual dysfunction. Current findings suggest that IRD is not associated with PFM function and shows only weak correlations with PDF. These results support the multifactorial nature of postpartum PFM function, indicating that IRD alone does not explain these outcomes.

ABSTRACT Menstrual health & hygiene (MHH) affects millions of women and girls worldwide and has increasingly been recognized within public health and gender-related scholarship, yet the organization and thematic structure of this research remain unevenly documented. This study explores how MHH research has been structured and developed in recent years through a bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed literature published between 2014 and early 2025. Articles were retrieved from the Scopus database using a title-based search strategy, resulting in a final sample of 53 publications that met pre-defined inclusion criteria. Bibliometric techniques, including publication trend analysis, source and contributor mapping, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and thematic mapping, were conducted using Biblioshiny (R) and VOSViewer. The findings highlight a sustained increase in MHH-related publications after 2015, with research largely concentrated around behavioral, demographic, and hygiene-oriented perspectives. Dominant thematic areas include adolescent-focused studies, health knowledge-attitude-practice (HKAP) frameworks, and sanitation, while themes related to sustainability, workplace contexts, and intersectional considerations remain weakly integrated. Overall, the findings indicate that contemporary MHH research is strongly structured around behavioral and population-focused perspectives, while sustainability, workplace-related contexts, and intersectional dimensions remain comparatively underdeveloped within the current research landscape.

ABSTRACT Adenomyosis and endometriosis are chronic gynecological disorders with overlapping mechanisms and symptoms, both linked to impaired sexual health and relationships. This study compared sexual function, sexual quality of life, and relationship satisfaction in affected women and healthy controls. This cross-sectional comparative study (2022–2023) included 90 women in three groups: endometriosis (n = 30), adenomyosis (n = 30), and healthy controls (n = 30), recruited from Jahrom University clinics in Iran. Participants completed the SQOL-F.FSFI, and RAS questionnaires. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and regression (SPSS 25, p < 0.05). Women with endometriosis (21.8 ± 3.8; 95% CI: 20.5–23.2; 19.3 ± 2.9; 95% CI: 18.3–20.4; 42.3 ± 8.9; 95% CI: 39.2–45.5) and adenomyosis (23.2 ± 4.6; 95% CI: 21.6–24.9; 19.3 ± 3.0; 95% CI: 18.2–20.4; 49.7 ± 11.0; 95% CI: 45.8–53.7) had significantly lower scores than controls (26.6 ± 4.8; 95% CI: 24.9–28.3; 22.2 ± 3.5; 95% CI: 20.9–23.4; 51.5 ± 12.3; 95% CI: 47.1–55.9; p < 0.0001). Univariate analysis showed sexual function, desire, and arousal were positive, and pain negative, predictors of sexual quality of life. Regression indicated marriage age and duration were negative, while spouse’s age, sexual function, and relationship satisfaction were positive predictors, explaining 36.5% of variance.Endometriosis and adenomyosis significantly reduce sexual function and quality of life. Counseling and supportive care are recommended to address these challenges.

ABSTRACT Pain during gynecologic exams is prevalent and the quality of provider communication can shape how patients experience and perceive it. This secondary analysis examined provider responses to patients’ verbal expressions of pain during initial obstetric physical exams. Audio-recorded and transcribed data from 200 first prenatal visits, randomly selected from a larger National Institutes of Health–funded communication study, was analyzed for instances of pain expression and corresponding provider responses. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between provider and patient characteristics and response types. Fifty providers conducted exams with a diverse patient cohort (mean age 25.4 years; 45.6 percent Black, 38.6 percent White, 15.8 percent Multiracial). Patients vocalized pain in over one-quarter of exams, with providers responding with supportive and non-supportive communication. Providers acknowledged or apologized for pain in 63.2 percent of these encounters and offered positive reinforcement in 33.3 percent. In contrast, pain was referred to as something else in 22.8 percent of exams and ignored in 19.3 percent. Providers were more likely to offer no verbal response when a third-party person was present (OR 5.3, 95 percent CI 1.3–22.4). Findings indicate that pain is frequently expressed and variably addressed even during routine obstetric exams. Educational interventions for gynecologic examination training should emphasize empathetic, trauma-informed communication.

ABSTRACT Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a debilitating condition that mainly affects women, characterized as noncyclical pain that lasts more than 6 months and can be triggered by factors such as a history of sexual abuse. This study aimed to verify the prevalence of sexual abuse in women with and without CPP and to describe the primary screening tools for this occurrence. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with Case–Control studies, on the PubMed, Embase and Scielo platforms between 2010 and 2024. Seven articles were eligible for analysis. A high prevalence of sexual abuse was observed in this review in women with CPP. However, only three studies observed a statistically significant difference compared to the control in their results, which ranged from 20 to 55 percent. In the meta-analysis of prevalence, 968 participants with CPP were evaluated, and 28 percent had a history of sexual abuse, 33 percent in childhood, and 26 percent in adulthood. Compared with 956 controls, sexual abuse was 2.33 times more frequent in this population [95 percent CI: 1.82–2.97; p < .001]. The studies individually diverged on sexual abuse in women with CPP. However, the meta-analysis observed that this history is significantly prevalent in women with CPP, both in childhood and in adulthood.

ABSTRACT This study compared the pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms, knowledge level and quality of life inwomen with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and healthy. The study included 30 SSc and 30 healthy women. The presence and severity of PFD symptoms were evaluated using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) (Subscales: Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (POPDI-6), Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory-8 (CRADI-8), and Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6)). The impact of PFD on women’s lives was evaluated using the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7). Participants’ knowledge levels were assessed using the Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ) and the Anal Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (AIKQ). The SSc group scored significantly higher than controls across all measures: PFIQ-7, POPDI-6, CRADI-8, UDI-6, and PFDI-20 (p < .005). SSc group also knew less about PFD treatment and management strategies compared to controls (p < .05). In women with SSc, knowledge levels about the pelvic floor were lower and PFD severity was higher than in healthy women. Integrating PFD education into routine rehabilitation for women with scleroderma may help improve quality of life.

ABSTRACT Digital health resources can provide an effective way for women to seek advice and share information. The aim of the current review is to understand the role of digital technologies in accessing digital menopause information. Six databases were examined for papers considering the use of digital technology in accessing digital information on menopause, published before March 2025. From 1970 papers identified, 14 papers were included in the review. Digital technologies are used to seek further information on the menopause, whether in addition to information provided by healthcare professionals, or to track symptoms or to normalize personal experiences. Trust in the source of the digital menopause information impacts whether it is accessed and how the information received is appraised. The impact of using digital technologies for menopause information was positive, including increased feelings of empowerment, decision making satisfaction, and the facilitation of conversations with others around menopause. However, representation of those who experience menopause was imperative. Overall, women find using digital technologies for menopause to be a positive experience. Future research should address the unique and complementary value of different types of digital technology to support menopause and understand how technologies can be better integrated into discussions with healthcare professionals.

ABSTRACT Brazilian Cohort Study of Preeclampsia: latent risks after pregnancy (PERLA-Brazil) are a retrospective cohort study including women with and without preeclampsia history, 6–15 years after pregnancy, aiming to evaluate lipid profile, clinical parameters and the frequency of metabolic syndrome. A total of 188 women from Belo Horizonte (Brazil), who became pregnant between 2008 and 2017, were included: 86 with PE history and 102 with normotensive pregnancy. The participants underwent an interview and had blood samples collected between 2022 and 2023. The following data were collected, using standard equipment and techniques: blood pressure, body weight, height, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference and lipid profile. For variable comparisons, T-test, Mann-Whitney, and chi-square test were used. A linear regression model assessed the isolated effect of a positive history of PE on cardiovascular risk indicators. PE group had higher body mass index compared to normotensive pregnancy, as well as fat percentage, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood and low-density lipoprotein. Finally, a higher frequency of metabolic syndrome was detected in PE history group. These results suggested that women who had PE showed a combination of cardiovascular risk markers and increased frequency of metabolic syndrome. To mitigate the risk of subsequent chronic diseases, lifestyle modifications are recommended, along with more frequent follow-ups with a health-care team.

ABSTRACT Women have inadequate access to menstrual health and hygiene, and there is astigma associated with menstruation. A systematic literature review of menstruation-related beliefs, myths, taboos, and harmful practices was conducted on Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Fourteen articles were included, of which eleven were in relation to beliefs, myths, and taboos, and nine to harmful practices, during menstruation. The results show that menstruation is associated with dirtiness and impurity beliefs and with restrictive and possibly harmful practices that go against human rights. Specific educational and hygiene content about menstruation is necessary for programs and interventions to address women’s health.