Results of a safety and feasibility study of the diaphragm used with ACIDFORM Gel or K-Y Jelly.

Background: New strategies are needed for preventing HIV infection in women. One potential approach is female-initiated use of an effective topical microbicidal gel in combination with a cervical barrier such as the diaphragm.

Study Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled safety and feasibility trial of diaphragm with vaginal gel during 6 months of use among 120 HIV-negative sexually active women in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Psychological factors associated with sleep disturbance among perimenopausal women.

The complex nature of sleep among perimenopausal women warrants a biopsychosocial conceptualization; however, research on the psychological factors that contribute to the increased prevalence of poor sleep quality during this time is limited. We conducted a survey study of perimenopausal women (N = 168) to investigate the relations among nocturnal hot flashes, mood, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep (DBAS), and subjective sleep quality. Self-report ratings of depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, hot flashes, and DBAS significantly correlated with poor sleep quality.

Lack of efficacy of estradiol for depression in postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Estrogen has been considered as a potential antidepressant in postmenopausal women. Our goal was to study whether estrogen therapy is effective in treating depressive disorders in older postmenopausal women and to determine whether progestins are associated with a deterioration of mood.

Methods: After 2 weeks of single-blind placebo treatment in 87 patients, 57 were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of treatment with estradiol (.

Effect of nonoxynol-9 gel on urogenital gonorrhea and chlamydial infection: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Nonoxynol-9 has been suggested as a vaginal microbicide to protect against common sexually transmitted infections.

Objective: To compare nonoxynol-9 gel and condom use (gel group) vs condom use alone (condom group) for the prevention of male-to-female transmission of urogenital gonococcal and chlamydial infection.

Design And Setting: Randomized controlled trial conducted at 10 community clinics and 10 pharmacies in Yaoundé, Cameroon, between October 1998 and September 2000, with 6 months of follow-up.