Articles related to REPRODUCTIVE & SEXUAL HEALTH

Anal intercourse is becoming more common among heterosexual couples. In the US, 30-44% of men and women report experience of anal sex. There are a host ofnegative health implications, especially for women, that should be communicatedespecially so patients can make truly informed decisions.

“The original misnomer for HIV—gay-related immune deficiency (GRID)—looms large in the consciousness of many gay men and offers a cautionary lesson for monkeypox and other infectious disease outbreaks.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the US continued to rise during the first year of the pandemic. For the first time in seven years, the overall number of reported STD cases was lower than the previous year, but the CDC attributed the drop-off to a decline in reported cases of chlamydia — the nation’s most common STD — that was likely a result of pandemic-related interruptions to screening.

Diabetes medications, such as metformin, have glucose-independent effects on the male reproductive system. However, until now, it was unknown if these effects lead to birth defects in offspring. This study concludes that metformin intake in men is associated with major birth defects, particularly genital birth defects in boys.

This quiz tests your knowledge on the appropriate screening follow-up from a 23-year-old woman who was treated for gonococcal arthritis. After a physical exam that showed a complete resolution of symptoms, which screening test is the next course of action? A CD4 lymphocyte subset? Serum IgA level? Total hemolytic complement (CH50) level? Is any additional testing even needed?

This BMJ editorial examines whether approaches better equipped to compare rates of menstrual variation in vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations are needed, based on the reports of changes to periods and unexpected vaginal bleeding after vaccination. The US has taken the first step, earmarking $1.67M from the National Institutes of Health to encourage research.