Hormonal Treatments and Vaginal Moisturizers for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause : A Systematic Review.

Background: Postmenopausal women commonly experience vulvovaginal, urinary, and sexual symptoms associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Purpose: To evaluate effectiveness and harms of vaginal estrogen, nonestrogen hormone therapies, and vaginal moisturizers for treatment of GSM symptoms.

Data Sources: Medline, Embase, and CINAHL through 11 December 2023.

Feasibility of Home Collection for Urogenital Microbiome Samples.

Importance: Feasibility of home urogenital microbiome specimen collection is unknown.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate successful sample collection rates from home and clinical research centers.

Study Design: Adult women participants enrolled in a multicentered cohort study were recruited to an in-person research center evaluation, including self-collected urogenital samples.

Cognitive function and bladder health among midlife adult women in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether different aspects of women's cognitive function are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact.

Methods: In 2010-2011, women aged 42 to 57 years in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study completed different tests of cognitive function, including the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, and Stroop test. Two years later, data on LUTS and their impact were collected.

HPV-independent cervical cancer associated with non-reducible pelvic organ prolapse: A case report.

•The presence of concomitant non-reducible prolapse and cervical cancer is rare.•Treatment of cervical cancer complicated by non-reducible prolapse must be individualized.•The role prolapse may play in the development of HPV-negative cervical cancer is unclear.

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in US Women: Contemporary Prevalence Estimates from the RISE FOR HEALTH Study.

Purpose: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of a wide range of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in US women, and explore associations with bother and discussion with health care providers, friends, and family.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed baseline data collected from May 2022 to December 2023 in the RISE FOR HEALTH study-a large, regionally representative cohort study of adult female community members. LUTS and related bother were measured by the 10-item Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Symptom Index, and discussion was assessed by a study-specific item.

Discrimination and bladder health among women in the CARDIA cohort study: Life course and intersectionality perspectives.

Objective: This study examines whether discriminatory experiences are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact among 972 women in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort study, which recruited participants from 4 cities in the United States.

Method: Exposure to discrimination was assessed 3 times (1992-93, 2000-01, 2010-11) and averaged across assessments. Participants separately reported whether they experienced discrimination on the basis of their gender, race or color, and socioeconomic position or social class.

Job strain, occupation, and bladder health among women.

Objectives: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common among employed women. An underexplored topic is whether characteristics of women's occupations may influence LUTS. The present study examined whether job strain and its individual components (psychological demands, decision latitude) were associated with greater LUTS and their impact and whether, compared to managerial and professional occupations, occupations characterized by manual labor, sales, service, nursing, and teaching were associated with greater LUTS and their impact.

Financial strain across 25 years and women's bladder health: a life course perspective.

Background: A small number of cross-sectional studies have found that financial insecurity-a social determinant of health-is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Objective: This study aimed to examine (1) whether women in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adult Study with higher levels of financial strain, assessed at 7 time points across 25 years beginning in 1985-1986, were more likely to report lower urinary tract symptoms and impact after the 2010-2011 financial strain assessment and (2) whether healthcare access and comorbidities mediated potential associations.

Study Design: This prospective cohort study recruited Black and White participants aged 18 to 30 years at baseline (1985-1986) from the populations of 4 US cities.

Decision-Making Regarding Elective Child and Adolescent Vaccinations Among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Parents in Orange County.

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) in aggregate experience greater health burdens than non-Hispanic Whites, such as a higher incidence of cervical cancer and COVID-19. Given the importance of vaccinations in preventing and reducing the severity of diseases, such as the flu, cervical cancer, and COVID-19, the receipt of vaccines during childhood and adolescence is crucial. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to explore the factors associated with NHPI parents' decisions regarding vaccinating their children with these elective vaccinations-that is, vaccinations not required for child care, preschool, or K-12 admissions in California but highly recommended.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms over 20 years and subsequent lower urinary tract symptoms and impact among women.

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the association between depressive symptoms and subsequent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and impact (a composite outcome) among women (N = 1,119) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study.

Methods: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) was administered in 1990-1991 and every 5 years through 2010-2011. In 2012-2013, LUTS and impact data were collected for the first time.

Interpersonal Stressors and Resources for Support: Associations with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Impact Among Women.

This study utilizes Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) data to examine whether women's perceived emotional support and interpersonal stressors are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact on quality of life. Emotional support was assessed at baseline/year 0 (1985-86), year 2 (1987-88), year 15 (2000-01), and year 20 (2005-06); interpersonal stressors were assessed at years 15 and 20. In 2012-13, LUTS and impact were assessed.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Impact Among Women.

Purpose: This study utilizes CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) cohort study data to examine whether (1) family-based adverse childhood experiences, recalled by women aged 32 to 47, are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms and their impact, a composite variable with 4 levels (bladder health and mild, moderate, or severe lower urinary tract symptoms/impact), and (2) extensiveness of women's social networks in adulthood attenuates an association between adverse childhood experiences and lower urinary tract symptoms/impact.

Materials And Methods: In 2000-2001, frequency of adverse childhood experiences exposure was retrospectively assessed. In 2000-2001, 2005-2006, and 2010-2011, extensiveness of social networks was assessed; scores were averaged.

Comprehensive pelvic muscle assessment: Developing and testing a dual e-Learning and simulation-based training program.

Objective: The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) research consortium launched the RISE FOR HEALTH (RISE) national study of women's bladder health which includes annual surveys and an in-person visit. For the in-person exam, a standardized, replicable approach to conducting a pelvic muscle (PM) assessment was necessary. The process used to develop the training, the products, and group testing results from the education and training are described.

The RISE FOR HEALTH study: Methods for in-person musculoskeletal assessment.

Objectives: To describe the methods for the in-person musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment of the RISE FOR HEALTH (RISE) study, a population-based multicenter prospective cohort study designed to identify factors associated with bladder health (BH) conducted by the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium (PLUS).

Methods: A subset of RISE participants who express interest in the in-person assessment are screened to ensure eligibility (planned n = 525). Eligible consenting participants are asked to complete a standardized MSK assessment to evaluate core stability (four component core stability test, lumbar spine pain (seated slump test), pelvic girdle pain, (sacroiliac joint, anterior superior iliac spine, pubic symphysis tenderness, and pelvic girdle pain provocation test), hip pain (flexion, abduction, internal rotation and flexion, adduction and external rotation) and pelvic girdle function (active straight leg raise).

Data Gap in Sacral Neuromodulation Documentation: Call to Improve Documentation Protocols.

Purpose: We quantified patient record documentation of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) threshold testing and programming parameters at our institution to identify opportunities to improve therapy outcomes and future SNM technologies.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted using 127 records from 40 SNM patients. Records were screened for SNM documentation including qualitative and quantitative data.

Pelvic organ prolapse and anal incontinence in women: screening with a validated epidemiology survey.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and anal incontinence (AI) in a Minnesota population using the Epidemiology of Prolapse and Incontinence Questionnaire (EPIQ). The secondary objective of this study was to determine the association of POP and AI with parity, age, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), and co-morbidities.

Methods: Women ≥ 18 years old attending the 2018 Minnesota State Fair were asked to fill out a web-based version of the EPIQ.

Laying the Foundation for Bladder Health Promotion in Women and Girls.

Prevention strategies have been effective in many areas of human health, yet have not been utilized for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or bladder health (BH). This commentary outlines LUTS prevention research initiatives underway within the NIH-sponsored Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium (PLUS). Prevention science involves the systematic study of factors associated with health and health problems, termed protective and risk factors, respectively.

Development of Conceptual Models to Guide Public Health Research, Practice, and Policy: Synthesizing Traditional and Contemporary Paradigms.

This applied paper is intended to serve as a "how to" guide for public health researchers, practitioners, and policy makers who are interested in building conceptual models to convey their ideas to diverse audiences. Conceptual models can provide a visual representation of specific research questions. They also can show key components of programs, practices, and policies designed to promote health.

Terminology for bladder health research in women and girls: Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms transdisciplinary consortium definitions.

Aim: To report research terminology and definitions for describing healthy bladder function among women and girls.

Methods: The Prevention of Lower Urinary tract Symptoms (PLUS) Consortium developed research terminology and definitions for elements of healthy bladder function based on existing understanding of storage and emptying functions of the bladder and accepted definitions of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The novel concept of a bladder "bioregulatory" function was also proposed.

Urinary microbes and postoperative urinary tract infection risk in urogynecologic surgical patients.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Women have a 20% risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI) following urogynecologic surgery. This study assessed the association of postoperative UTI with bacteria in preoperative samples of catheterized urine.

Methods: Immediately before surgery, vaginal swabs, perineal swabs, and catheterized urine samples were collected, and the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was sequenced.

The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) in girls and women: Developing a conceptual framework for a prevention research agenda.

Aims: The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium was established by the National Institutes of Health in 2015 to expand research beyond the detection and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to the promotion and preservation of bladder health and prevention of LUTS in girls and women. While many multi-disciplinary scientific networks focus on pelvic floor dysfunction and LUTS, the PLUS Consortium stands alone in its focus on prevention. This article describes the PLUS approach to developing a conceptual framework to guide the Consortium's initial prevention research agenda.

Urinary symptoms are associated with certain urinary microbes in urogynecologic surgical patients.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Persistent and de novo symptoms decrease satisfaction after urogynecologic surgery. We investigated whether the preoperative bladder microbiome is associated with urinary symptoms prior to and after urogynecologic surgery.

Methods: One hundred twenty-six participants contributed responses to the validated OABq symptom questionnaire.