Women's Health Today

Mission Unaccomplished: Understanding the Health Needs of our Women Veterans

2011-06-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

By: Jennifer Wider, MD
June 13, 2011

Women are the fastest growing segment in the US military, already accounting for approximately 14 percent of deployed forces. According to statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 20 percent of new recruits and 17 percent of Reserve and National Guard Forces are women. As the number of women continues to grow in the military, so does the need for health care specifically targeted to their unique concerns.

Historically, lower rates of female veterans have used the VA system. “Research has shown that women didn’t define themselves as veterans in the past, and this is changing,” said Antonette Zeiss, PhD, a clinical psychologist and Acting Chief for Mental Health Services at the VA Central Office in Washington, DC.

Now, “Women are among the fastest growing segments of new VA users with as many as 44 percent of women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan electing to use the VA compared to 11 percent in prior eras,” said Sally Haskell, MD, Acting Director of Comprehensive Women's Health, at the VA Central Office.

This change is due in large part to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the different military service opportunities available to women there. Although women are technically prohibited from participating in front-line combat, they have served in counterinsurgency operations in large numbers. Women are also often in convoys, which may be attacked, leading to serious injuries resembling those of their male counterparts.

“We found in the cohort of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan using VA care in their first year after deployment that the most common conditions in female veterans were back problems, joint disorders, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mild depression, musculoskeletal disorders, adjustment disorders, skin disorders, major depression, ear and sense organ disorders and reproductive health disorders,” said Haskell.

In addition, female veterans are more likely than their male counterparts to be confronted with childcare issues. “Women veterans may also need to reestablish childcare when they return home,” said Zeiss. “The VA is increasing family-oriented services and offering options to include the family in healthcare, if the veteran wants.”

According to a recent study in the journal Women’s Health Issues, female veterans had similar rates of physical conditions in the first year after combat, but higher rates of certain mental disorders, including depression and adjustment disorders. Men had slightly higher rates of PTSD.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is a condition that develops after a distressing ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. PTSD can cause a multitude of symptoms including: flashbacks, bad dreams, frightening thoughts, avoidance, difficulty remembering things, stress, anxiety, anger, being easily startled, and sleep and eating disturbances. Among military personnel serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, more than 17 percent of service members screened positive for PTSD.

There are some notable gender differences when it comes to PTSD. According to survey results from PTSD in Women Returning From Combat – a report by the Society for Women’s Health Research, clinicians treating female patients reported more depressive symptoms in women, while men exhibited more irritability and anger, nightmares and flashbacks.

The report also revealed that female patients were more receptive to psychotherapy, while male patients expressed a stronger preference for medication. One key sex difference that almost 65 percent of doctors noted was that sexual trauma (previous or otherwise) was an issue in the treatment of their female patients but not at all for male patients.

Military Sexual Trauma (MST), a term coined by the VA, is the experience of sexual assault, or severe, repeated sexual harassment experienced during military service. MST can be experienced by both women and men and many VA facilities have designated a Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator to oversee the screening and treatment referral process.

When it comes to MST, “many women would like to have women providers,” said Zeiss. “Every facility needs to find out what gender providers are available, especially with sensitive topics. In my experience, men who experience sexual trauma also request women providers.”

Growing numbers of women in the military have posed challenges and sparked changes in VA services. “We are changing the treatment environment so women feel safe, supported and get the care they need,” said Zeiss.

Sources

Meehan S. Improving Health Care for Women Veterans Health Services Research and Development Service, Office of Research & Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA.

Fihn S. Washington DC: Women's Health Conference; Women's Health: A Research Priority in VA. November 8–9, 2004.

Haskell S, et al. The Burden of Illness in the First Year Home: Do Male and Female VA Users Differ in Health Conditions and Healthcare Utilization, Women's Health Issues 21-1 (2011) 92–97.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Jennifer Wider, M.D., is a medical advisor for the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) www.swhr.org, a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., widely recognized as the thought leader in research on sex differences and dedicated to improving women’s health through advocacy, education, and research.

Dr. Wider is a graduate of Princeton University and received her medical degree in 1999 from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. She is frequently published in newspapers, magazines, and websites and has been a guest on the Today Show, CBS News, Fox News, Good Day New York, and a variety of cable channels. Dr. Wider hosts “Paging Dr. Wider,” a weekly segment on Sirius satellite radio for the Cosmopolitan magazine channel.

Dr. Wider is a past managing editor of the health channel at iVillage.com. She writes a monthly news service article for SWHR and is the author of the consumer health booklet “Just the Facts: What Women Need to Know about Sex Differences in Health” and the book “The Doctor’s Complete College Girls’ Health Guide: From Sex to Drugs to the Freshman Fifteen.”

SWHR Featured in New Nursing Textbook

2011-05-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

Chapter covers SWHR’s work in advocacy, education, and research for women’s health

Washington, DC (May 18, 2011) – Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) Board member and leader in women’s and infants’ health and research, Irma Goertzen, RN, MA wrote an exciting chapter on SWHR in the newly published textbook, Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care, 6^th Edition.

The new textbook features current analysis of healthcare policy and how nurses can directly influence change in today’s health care environment. Policy & Politics covers the 2010 healthcare reform law, community involvement and activism, and chapters detailing innovative work in today’s health non-profits.

“We are very pleased with the inclusion of SWHR’s history and impact on health research in the new textbook Policy & Politics,” said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, President and CEO of SWHR. “Former SWHR Board Chair Irma Goertzen and Suzanne Stone did a wonderful job including all relevant SWHR achievements in this enlightening book for today’s nursing students. Hopefully this book chapter will inspire students to consider sex differences in their chosen career fields.”

Policy & Politics is published through Elseiver Sanders and edited by Diana J. Mason, Judith K. Leavitt, and Mary W. Chaffee. Purchase your copy today from any online retailer or from your local book store.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or rachel@swhr.org.

Annual OSSD Meeting to be Held June 2-4

2011-05-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, DC (May 17, 2011) — The 5^th Annual Meeting of the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences (OSSD) is June 2-4 in Oklahoma City. The annual OSSD meeting encompasses new research into sex differences by prominent US and international researchers. This is the can’t-miss research event of the year!

The OSSD Annual Meeting is the leading forum for scientists to explore aspects of sex differences research at the genetic, molecular, cellular, organ, and system levels in various model systems. The field of sex-based biology is growing rapidly. This meeting promotes the understanding and dissemination of novel findings about how sex differences translate into human physiological and pathological processes throughout the lifespan.

Rates for the 3 day meeting at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City can be found at ossdweb.org but space is limited so REGISTER TODAY!

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or rachel@swhr.org.

OSSD is a non-profit, scientific membership society. OSSD was established in 2006 by the Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR), with staffing provided by SWHR. Members include basic and clinical scientists from various disciplines who share an interest in exploring sex/gender differences in all areas of biological, medical, and behavioral science.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly as sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research. Visit SWHR’s website at www.swhr.org for more information.

6th Annual SWHR Medtronic Prize Winner Announced

2011-05-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC (May 10, 2011) — The 6^th annual Society for Women’s Health Research Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women’s Health was presented to Dr. Denniz Zolnoun from the University of North Carolina at the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) 18^th Annual Gala Dinner on May 9, 2011.

The SWHR Medtronic Prize is given to a female scientist in her early to mid career who has devoted a significant part of her work to sex differences research and has served as a role model and mentor for both colleagues and students.

Zolnoun is a celebrated researcher at UNC specializing in women and gynecological pain. She received her BS in Biophysics from the University of California, her MD from the University of Illinois, and her MPH in Health Care Prevention from the University of North Carolina, where she is now an Associate Professor and Director of the Vulvar Pain Clinic.

Zolnoun’s area of research is pain mechanism, especially gynecological pelvic pain. Although persistent pain affects millions of women across the U.S., little is known about it in women. Zolnoun discovered that sensory nerves, perception, and dysfunction are well described and traced in men but not in women. Even anatomy books lack descriptions of these nerves, their point of origin, termination, and clinical perception, as they pertain specifically to women. Zolnoun has dedicated her research to closing this knowledge gap. She now strives to identify how sex differences affect sensory nerves in order to help determine the cause of women's pelvic pain and important clinical implications of this work.

“On behalf of millions of women with intractable pelvic pain I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to SWHR for their support of sex difference research while championing a higher standard in women’s health,” said Zolnoun. “I am honored and privileged to be an SWHR Medtronic Prize winner and look forward to continuing my research into pelvic pain and closing the gender gap in medical research.”

Zolnoun has over 20 peer reviewed publications in journals including: The International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Clinical Journal of Pain, and The Annual Review of Sex Research and has authored several book chapters. Currently, she reviews nine journals and serves on the North Carolina Medical Board as the Expert External Reviewer.

Along with the SWHR Medtronic Prize, Zolnoun’s research has been supported by grants from the National Vulvodynia Association, NC TraCS Institute, and the Center for Neurosensory Disorders.

SWHR congratulates Dr. Zolnoun on her accomplishments and her work advancing sex differences research.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Bruised and Betrayed: Women and Domestic Violence

2011-04-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

By: Jennifer Wider, MD

April 14, 2011

Domestic violence knows no boundaries: cultural, socio-economic, religious, level of education, gender or age. It can occur in any relationship and to anyone, but especially to women. In fact, roughly 25 percent of women will become a victim at one time or another during her lifetime.

Abuse is defined as any act used to gain power and control over another person, which can take on many forms. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, economic, coercion, threats, isolation and/or intimidation.

Domestic violence is abuse that occurs within interpersonal relationships and has become one of the top public health issues facing women in the United States. It is a leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 14 and 44 in this country.

There are risk factors that may increase the likelihood that a person becomes a victim to domestic violence. These can include: history of violence or abuse in a past relationship, physical or mental disability, unemployment, poor living situation, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancy, recently separated or divorced, social isolation and witnessed abuse as a child.

Men are not immune to victimization in relationships, but the patterns are different. “In many American surveys, roughly equal numbers of men and women report ever experiencing a violent act by their partner,” said Keera Allendorf, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “However, women experience more severe and more frequent violence than men.”

Marital status and the amount of time couples have been together seem to play a role as well. “Cohabiters have greater violence than married people,” reported Allendorf. “And there is a higher risk for violence earlier on in a relationship than later.”

Some victims report that they have difficulty recognizing the signs of domestic violence, especially if the abuse is not physical in nature. One woman reported to a worker at a local domestic violence crisis center, “Everyone has disagreements.” But domestic violence is not a disagreement; it is a pattern of behavior used by one partner to exercise power and control over the other. Oftentimes, the behavior may begin subtly and then quickly escalate in intensity and frequency over time.

There are serious and harmful long-term effects associated with domestic violence. Victims may experience physical injuries which range from bruises and broken bones to head injuries and internal bleeding. Women who are victims of sexual violence may contract sexually transmitted diseases and experience unwanted pregnancies. Studies show that pregnant women who are physically and emotionally abused are at higher risk for low-birth-weight infants, pre-term labor and miscarriage.

Not just physical, domestic violence takes an emotional toll as well. Women who are in abusive relationships are more likely to be depressed, anxious, experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), engage in substance abuse and attempt suicide. One study revealed that female victims of domestic violence have a 40% increased risk of developing postpartum depression.

Domestic violence touches the lives of thousands of people each year. In order to take meaningful steps to lower the number of victims, we need to make sure that people realize that domestic violence is not a private matter.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, the National Domestic Violence Hotline offers crisis intervention and provides information and referrals for victims of domestic violence. Call the hotline at (800) 799-SAFE or (800) 787-3224 TTY, or visit www.ndvh.org.

Sources

Family Violence Prevention Fund (2004). National Consensus Guidelines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence Victimization in Health Care Settings.

Fact sheets, Domestic Violence Crisis Centers (DVCC), 2007-11.

Garabedian M, et al "Intimate partner violence and postpartum depression" SMFM 2009; Abstract 194.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Jennifer Wider, M.D., is a medical advisor for the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., widely recognized as the thought leader in research on sex differences and dedicated to improving women’s health through advocacy, education, and research.

SWHR Sponsors Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Yale University, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital Study on Exercise and Breast Cancer

2011-04-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC (April 5, 2011) - The Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) is partnering with Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® to sponsor research to study the link between exercise and breast cancer.

"I'm pleased to announce SWHR's $1,000,000 award from Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® that will fund Dr. Jennifer Ligibel of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Melinda Irwin of Yale University, and Dr. Deborah Dillon of Brigham and Women's Hospital to study the benefit of exercise on breast cancer," said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, President and CEO of SWHR. "It is our hope that this research will provide women with helpful measures to increase their chance of survival if diagnosed with this devastating disease."

Earlier studies have consistently shown that moderate amounts of exercise lowers breast cancer incidence in women. "Observational evidence suggests that women who exercise are less likely to develop breast cancer, and several recent reports also demonstrate lower rates of breast cancer recurrence in women who exercise after diagnosis," said Dana-Farber investigator Jennifer Ligibel, MD. "Little is known, however, about the biological mechanisms through which exercise could lower breast cancer risk and improve outcomes. With this project, we hope to shed some light upon the pathways through which exercise could influence breast cancer."

To understand the effect of exercise on biological mechanisms will require use of interdisciplinary approaches and methods from both basic and clinical research. "We are thrilled to bring together a network of experts in the field that will include medical oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, epidemiologists and behavioral scientists. By forming a transdisciplinary team of scientists, we will use an innovative design and methods to examine how exercise impacts breast cancer risk and recurrence," said Yale University's Melinda Irwin, PhD.

Breast cancer is still the most common cancer among women in the United States and accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths every year despite decreases in incidence rates due to early detection and existing therapies. Exercise promises to offer an alternate cost-effective, non-medical treatment option for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, leading to improved quality of life.

"If this research can demonstrate that physical activity leads to alterations in these or other biological pathways, this would help provide important basic information that links exercise to breast cancer," said Komen President Elizabeth Thompson. "That information could then be used to both direct future research and to develop guidelines for millions of breast cancer survivors and women at risk of developing the disease."

Click here to learn more about SWHR's Interdisciplinary Networks.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research, please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Controlling the Spread of HIV/AIDS in Women

2011-03-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

By: Jennifer Wider, MD
March 15, 2011

National Women and Girls AIDS Awareness Day, a nationwide observance that raises awareness and promotes action in the fight against HIV/AIDS, took place on March 10. As the nation turns its attention to this important cause, women and girls around the world continue to be affected by HIV/AIDS in high numbers. According to reports from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, HIV is the leading cause of death and disease among women of reproductive age across the globe.

HIV is a virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, a disease that diminishes the body’s ability to fight off infection. Unprotected intercourse is the primary way HIV is spread, but it can also be shared through IV drug use, blood transfusion or from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

Despite the fact that HIV/AIDS-related deaths are significantly lower in the United States when compared with other regions of the world, the disease remains a serious public health issue. According to statistics from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, roughly 280,000 women are affected by AIDS in the United States today.

When the disease was first reported in the early 1980s, men were primarily infected. Today, more and more women are affected by HIV/AIDS. According to information from the Office on Women’s Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services, one in four Americans who lives with HIV is a woman; with African American women being the most affected.

“Over the last two decades, the proportion of estimated AIDS cases diagnosed among women has more than tripled, from 7 percent in 1985 to 25 percent in 2009,” said Dr. Regina Benjamin, Surgeon General of the United States, in a report issued by the Office of National AIDS Policy. “Women of color are especially impacted—HIV diagnosis rates for black women are nearly 20 times the rate for white women. HIV infection is one of the leading causes of death among black and Latina women age 25-44 years.”

According to information from the CDC, approximately one in five people who are infected by HIV do not know they are infected. Getting tested for STDs, including HIV on a regular basis is an extremely important part of protecting yourself and your loved ones. In addition, sharing medical histories between sex partners is vital because 85 percent of newly diagnosed HIV infections among women and girls in the US result from sexual relations with an infected male counterpart.

As in the case of other diseases, early diagnosis of HIV can lead to a better prognosis. Timely treatment of HIV not only reduces the risk of transmission, but it can prolong a person’s lifespan significantly. Pregnant women need to be extra vigilant to ensure the prevention of transmission to unborn children.

There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, but an array of medications can be used in tandem to manage and control the disease. Over the years, doctors have learned that it is best to combine different classes of drugs to prevent creating viral strains that may become immune to single therapies.

There are a few new treatments on the horizon. “There are new microbicide studies that suggest some efficacy in reduction of transmission of HIV,” said Michael Kolber, MD, Director of the University of Miami’s Comprehensive AIDS Program. Furthermore, scientists from the University of Utah have developed a new kind of “molecular condom,” in the form of a vaginal gel that is inserted prior to intercourse, which then becomes semisolid when it encounters semen. In effect, it works to trap HIV particles and prevent them from infecting vaginal cells.

“Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the new kid on the block,” said Kolber. This involves encouraging high-risk, but HIV negative people, to take antiretroviral medication on a daily basis to lower their chances of getting infected if they are exposed to HIV. To date, PrEP has only been shown to be effective in men who have sex with men. According to Kolber, “Whether this modality will catch on because of cost and other factors remains to be seen, but may translate into prevention for women, as well.”

Sources

CDC. MMWR, Vol. 57, No. 39; 2008

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

SWHR President Named One of Nation’s Top 90 Mentor Leaders

2011-03-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

SWHR President and CEO Phyllis Greenberger was profiled in the special edition 2011 issue of Women of Wealth Magazine, the leading publication on mentoring and philanthropy. Get your copy from newsstands today!

http://www.womenofwealthmagazine.com/

Senators Stabenow and Murkowski Reintroduce HEART for Women Act

2011-03-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

Federal bill aims to reduce cardiovascular disease death rates in women

Washington, DC (March 2, 2011) — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today reintroduced legislation to ensure that heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are more widely recognized and effectively treated in women.

The Heart disease Education, Research and Analysis, and Treatment (HEART) for Women Act would make sure that healthcare data reported to the federal government is classified by gender, race and ethnicity. It would also require the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress on the quality of and access to care for women with CVD. Additionally, the measure would expand eligibility for funding to all 50 states for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISEWOMAN screening program for low-income, underinsured uninsured women. Currently the program is available in only 20 states.

“Unfortunately, a majority of women and even some physicians are unfamiliar with the symptoms, diagnoses, and dangers of heart disease in women,” said Senator Stabenow. “The HEART for Women Act will help educate women and their doctors, increase access to screenings for women, and expand gender-specific analysis and research, so we are better equipped to fight this disease and save lives.”

Every 60 seconds, someone’s mother, daughter, wife or sister dies from heart disease, stroke or other forms of CVD in the U.S. These diseases claim the lives of more than 422,000 American women each year—more than the next four causes of death combined. Nearly half of all African-American women have some form of cardiovascular disease, compared to 34 percent of white women. But according to the 2011 American Heart Association CVD prevention guidelines for women, helping women and their doctors understand risks and taking practical steps can be most effective in preventing heart disease and stroke.

“Cardiovascular disease, often called the “silent killer,” takes the life of one woman nearly every minute,” said Senator Murkowski. “The HEART for Women Act gives more women access to the WISEWOMAN program that provides free heart disease and stroke prevention screening to low-income, uninsured women. Passage of this legislation will ensure that health care providers have greater access to life-saving drugs and screening services to prevent the rise of cardiovascular disease in women.”

The HEART for Women Act is endorsed by more than 40 leading health organizations including the American Heart Association, Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), and WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

“With nearly one in three women dying from heart disease and stroke each year, we are pleased to see the U.S. Senate put forth legislation that will help save lives,” said Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., American Heart Association President. “The HEART for Women Act supports and recognizes women’s unique health needs, which is critical in eliminating inequities and improving the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of America’s leading health threats.”

“Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of women and the recent re-introduction of the HEART for Women Act shows a renewed commitment to raising awareness, improving treatment options and educating women on prevention and care,” said Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W., President and CEO of SWHR. ”We must ensure that the Food and Drug Administration is documenting sex based differences in medications and devices, specifically on heart disease and women.”

“Women are underrepresented in cardiovascular trials and there is a serious lapse in enforcement of rules requiring new drug applicants to submit data by sex, age group and race, said Lisa M. Tate, CEO of WomenHeart. “As a result, female heart patients are treated with drugs, procedures and devices that have been shown to be effective in men, yet not studied in a sufficient number of women. The HEART for Women Act will ensure that results of cardiovascular trials are reported by sex and that women get the best possible care for their heart health,” Tate continued.

For more information, visit www.heartforwomen.org.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington DC, is widely recognized as the thought leader in research on sex differences and is dedicated to improving women’s health through advocacy, education, and research. Our focus is to clearly demonstrate that sex and gender differences exist and that more research needs to be done to explore conditions that affect women differently, disproportionately, or exclusively; and to identify these differences and understand the implications for diagnosis and treatment. Visit SWHR’s website at www.swhr.org for more information.

The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases – two of America’s leading killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit heart.org and heart.org/advocacy.

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the only national organization dedicated to promoting women’s heart health through advocacy, and patient support. As the leading voice for the 44 million American women living with or at risk of heart disease, WomenHeart advocates for equal access to quality care and champions prevention and early detection, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of women’s heart disease. For more information, visit www.womenheart.org.

SWHR ISIS Poster Accepted

2011-02-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (February 28, 2011) — The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is pleased to announce the acceptance of a poster to be presented at the Second Annual International Science of Team Science (SciTS) Conference. The title of the poster is “The SWHR ISIS Networks: A Collaborative Model for Conducting Sex-based Research”.

The SWHR Interdisciplinary Studies in Sex-differences (ISIS) Networks address cross-cutting research questions in sex-based biology. Since 2002, we have convened and funded five successful networks focusing on sex differences in the brain, musculoskeletal health, metabolism, coronary vascular disease and breast cancer. The poster will describe SWHR’s experience, the model used, the guidelines, and several of the products that have emerged from the network collaborations.

Lead author, Christine L. Carter, Ph.D., M.P.H., who recently joined SWHR as Vice President, Scientific Affairs, says “I am delighted to have this opportunity to showcase the unique features of this interdisciplinary research network model which focuses exclusively on sex-differences in health and disease”.

Sponsored by the Research Team Support & Development (RTS&D) of the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute, the SciTS Conference is a forum to enhance understanding of how best to engage in team science to meet society’s needs. The poster session offers an opportunity for conference attendees to present findings as they relate to the field of team science.

The conference will be held April 11-14 in Chicago at Northwestern University.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Body Building Supplement That Safe

2011-02-13T11:42:00.000-08:00

During the intensive training or regular daily practice, body builders need body building supplement. It used to help them get maximum result of training. There are some varieties of supplements that can be added to their daily intake, it can be used as medicine or used to be injected directly in the blood. This way is perceived as the best way to help them to get optimum result of training. Optimum result here means the body builders get their desired muscle faster.

Usually the supplement is produced from herbal material that must be safe to be consumed daily.

It consists of some legal materials and natural. Those materials are perceived as the safest materials to avoid the unwanted site effect.

Glutamine is the safest natural body building supplements that can be consumed daily. This substance is used to boost up the body builders’ immune system that doesn’t have any negative effect. This is what the body builders during their hard training to get the desired result.

Fatigues to Fabulous to Aid Women Veterans

2011-02-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (February 11, 2011) — SWHR is excited to announce that Tuesday, February 15^th during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, SWHR and our partner Grace After Fire, a support network for women veterans, will be launching the Fatigues to Fabulous (F2F) campaign – a national program created to honor the service of women veterans and support their transition home. The campaign is working with the fashion industry to help women make the transition to a civilian wardrobe, raise awareness of the challenges women veterans face upon return, and harness resources to support them.

As part of the campaign, DKNYC has designed a fashionable and feminine F2F watch featuring “dog tag” accessories and the F2F logo, which will be exclusively offered and promoted through HSN.

Just as disease affects women differently than men, so too do military women have unique health concerns that differ from their male counterparts. While accidents and injuries are often an uncontrollable reality for those who serve, what we can control is making sure women are appropriately equipped and protected. For those injuries that cannot be prevented, we must have in place care options that are designed for women. Some studies are already reporting important differences in the incidence, severity, and outcomes among male and female veterans in conditions ranging from PTSD to urological conditions and muscle and joint disorders. Finding the best, evidence-based treatments for women and men can only happen with research.

F2F Wants You!

We need your help to get the word out about the campaign. Please visit the F2F Facebook Page and CLICK HERE become a fan! And please don’t be shy…share the link with your friends, family and professional associations.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fatigues-to-Fabulous/151113794941720

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly how sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research. Visit SWHR’s website at www.swhr.org for more information.

Grace After Fire was established by women veterans for women veterans to offer a safe and confidential venue – a social network. Women can share common experiences and offer unique peer support for wellness while providing increased access to resources for healthcare, family and self.

The Make Up of Your Make Up

2011-02-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (February 10, 2011) — The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) hosted the Capitol Hill briefing, The Science of Cosmetics on Wednesday, February 9, with a reception following. Featuring physicians, government representatives, and industry members, the briefing discussed the science of cosmetics and its impact on women’s health.

Leading the presentations, Linda M. Katz, MD, MPH, Director of the Office of Cosmetics and Colors. Chief Medical Officer, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at FDA, provided an overview of the FDA’s responsibilities. She defined cosmetics as articles intended for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, and altering appearance. In order to be marketed as a cosmetic in the United States, the cosmetic must not be adulterated or misbranded. “Manufacturers have the responsibility to ensure that products are safe prior to marketing through studies (clinical or laboratory), review of literature, or other validated sources of information,” said Katz.

With FDA oversight defined, John E. Bailey, PhD, Chief Scientist and Executive Vice President for Science of the Personal Care Products Council, shared more information on the cosmetic regulatory system including hazard vs. risk and how products are developed. Bailey said the steps for product development are, “to decide on type of product, who is intended to use it, what do you want the product to do, what regulatory body does it fall under (over-the-counter drugs or cosmetics), and finally, selection of ingredients by formulator.”

Halyna Breslawec, PhD, Deputy Director of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), explained the approval process for cosmetics and how ingredients are deemed safe. The mission of CIR is to “thoroughly review and access the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in an open, unbiased, and expert manner, and publish the results in open, peer-reviewed literature.” The most frequently used ingredients and ingredients of concern are given high priority from CIR for review. They found 1124 ingredients to be safe, 875 safe with qualifications, 9 unsafe and 51 with insufficient data. In total, 2109 ingredients have been reviewed by CIR to date.

Rounding out the panel, Tina Alster MD, Director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center, offered insight into the top dermatological concerns with cosmetics. Even though cosmetics are deemed safe, some women face adverse reactions, including irritant, allergic, photoallergic and other reactions. Dermatitis from topical prescriptions is common so women should be diligent in observing how their skin reacts to different products. Alster’s main take-home messages for consumers are “sun protection is crucial, know your ABCDE’s (have any and all suspicious lesions checked by a dermatologist), and topicals have great therapeutic efficacy but also potential for side effects.”

Following the presentations, guests were treated to a reception to learn more about cosmetics from various companies and to ask further questions of the panel.

“The safety of cosmetics is an important issue for women’s health,” said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, President and CEO of SWHR. “Conducting the layered review process for cosmetic ingredients ensures the safest products remain on the market and keeps the consumer safe.”

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

The Exercise Files: Gender Differences in Exercise

2011-02-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

By: Jennifer Wider, MD
February 9, 2011

Obesity levels are at an all-time high among men, women, and children in the United States. The need for good nutrition and regular exercise is paramount for maintaining proper health and for keeping those extra pounds at bay, especially for women.

Beginning in her late 20s and 30s, a woman’s average body weight climbs steadily each year. This increase usually continues into her 60s. For many women, the weight gain is between one to two pounds per year with some women gaining more, and others less.

Aside from weight loss, women who incorporate regular exercise into their daily schedules may lower the risks of certain diseases and conditions. A recent study presented at the Ninth Annual AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, revealed that women who exercised for at least 150 minutes a week significantly reduced their risk of endometrial cancer, regardless of their body size.

The Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that in order to prevent weight gain, an average woman who eats a normal diet needs 60 minutes of moderate exercise per day. If a woman is overweight or obese, 60 minutes of exercise is inadequate to keep off the weight, according to the study. In many cases she will have to modify her diet, including cutting down on overall daily caloric intake.

For older women, a dose of moderate, regular exercise may slow the progression of age-related memory loss. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that exercise may even reverse changes in the brain due to the aging process. Other recent studies prove a positive correlation between exercise and a lower risk of colon cancer.

Despite the numerous health benefits that accompany exercise, there are some important things women need to keep in mind in order to prevent injury. According to Alice Chen, MD, a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut, “There are some gender differences in exercise-related injuries. Most of these relate to ligament laxity.” Women need to take extra precautions because although, “they feel less sore than men after vigorous exercise, due to hormonal differences, women will have more laxity in their ligaments and therefore potentially more ligament injury at extreme stresses,” said Chen.

Pregnant women and women in the post-partum period may have additional health concerns due to fluctuations in hormone levels. “Pregnant women (and post-partum) with their shifting levels of progesterone will have more vulnerability to injury,” said Chen.

Women are also more likely to experience knee pain than men, especially in the patellar (knee cap) region. This is partially due to their natural laxity and also due to “an (anatomical) difference in the knee angle that puts women’s knees at an increased level of stress,” explained Chen.

The good news is there are specific things women can do to reduce their risk of injury while exercising.
Prior to working out, women should make sure to:

Stretch. Everyone should warm up before engaging in vigorous exercise. Stretching and light aerobic activity to get the heart rate up helps to warm you up and prevent muscle injury.

Hydration. Many people are chronically operating on a fluid deficit and working out and sweating further depletes their fluid reserves. It is vital to stay hydrated before, during, and after exercise and always monitor your fluid levels in order to prevent muscle injury and overheating.

Adequate caloric intake. Under nutrition can lead to amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) due to hormone disruption. If this persists it can result in bone mass loss (osteoporosis), placing the athlete at risk for potential stress fracture.

Athletes who are consistently undernourished may experience long-term health consequences, such as amenorrhea. According to Chen, “menstruating athletes gain two to four percent bone mass between the ages 20 to 30. But those athletes with amenorrhea will lose two percent bone mass a year. Since women start to lose bone mass in their 40s naturally with menopause, the athlete is vulnerable to a higher lifelong fracture risk.”

Exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy body, and taking precautions to ensure safety during exercise is equally important. Stretching, hydration and adequate nutrition will help lower the risk of injury in women.

Sources

Lee I, Sesso HD, Buring J, et al. Physical Activity and Preventing Weight Gain in Women. JAMA. 2010;303(24):2475.

Arem H, et al. Cancer Prevention Research: December 2010; Volume 3, Issue 12, Supplement 2.doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.PREV-10-B70

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Jennifer Wider, M.D., is a medical advisor for the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., widely recognized as the thought leader in research on sex differences and dedicated to improving women’s health through advocacy, education, and research.

SWHR Supports New Requirements for Pregnancy Drug Labeling

2011-01-28T07:31:00.000-08:00

SWHR supports Sen. Kohl and FDA on important women’s health legislation

Washington, DC (January 28, 2011) – On Wednesday, Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin furthered a Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) long-term advocacy priority with his letter to support new drug labeling and protections for pregnant women. Sen. Kohl and SWHR submitted independent letters with proposed guidelines to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the delay in issuing new guidance and labeling for medication use to protect pregnant women.

The requirements outlined in the proposed regulation will give pregnant and nursing women and their clinicians important and detailed information that will improve treatment decisions as well as health outcomes. The case for more comprehensive information on prescription use during pregnancy is clear, and reflects the larger issue of decades of under-studying and under-reporting in women’s health. SWHR has long fought for clinical trials to look at sex differences, as well as racial and ethnic differences in how people react to drugs and biologics.

“SWHR is pleased to support potential revisions to drug labeling in order to protect one of the most vulnerable populations, pregnant women,” said Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W., President and CEO of SWHR. “Pregnant women and their fetuses need protection from possible harms, but this is only possible when we know how to inform care choices. Without appropriate research and labeling, women are being denied the chance to make informed decisions.”

Nine out of ten medications on the market today have an undetermined risk for use in pregnancy and lactation. An estimated 50% of pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, often precluding a woman from stopping or changing potentially hazardous therapies before conceiving. A vast majority of women will use prescription or over-the-counter medications while pregnant.

As the current system for drug risk classification was developed in 1975, SWHR and others believe that the proposed labeling rules, under consideration since 2008 by the FDA, are long overdue. Better information and labeling will substantially advance and augment the health care treatment and procedures for pregnant and nursing women and their children. This large portion of the general population needs added protections and cautions on drugs and biological products, but for too long women and their providers have been forced to make decisions based on limited and inadequate research. SWHR is excited to see and motivate further momentum towards getting this labeling rule passed through FDA.

Click Here to Read SWHR's Comment Letter regarding Pregnancy Drug Labeling.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

SWHR Congratulates Sen. Mikulski on Milestone

2011-01-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

Mikulski breaks record as longest serving female senator in American history

Washington, DC (January 5, 2011) – On this historic day, the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) applauds Sen. Barbara Mikulski on her milestone as longest serving female senator in American history.

The formidable senator has long been a champion of women’s health and women’s health research. Sen. Mikulski has been a vocal supporter of SWHR’s work to include women in all levels of clinical research and helped create the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Women’s Health after she learned that NIH was not including women in its clinical trials.

“Sen. Mikulski is a true friend of SWHR and a fierce advocate for women’s health and research,” said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, president and CEO of SWHR. “She has continuously fought for affordable healthcare, the inclusion of women in clinical trials, and consistent funding for women’s health research. We send our heartfelt congratulations to her on this landmark achievement.”

To ensure that women’s health was receiving proper attention at all the federal health agencies, Sen. Mikulski co-sponsored, along with Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, the Women’s Health Office Act (WHOA). This landmark legislation was included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that was signed into law last year. WHOA codified the offices of Women’s Health within the federal agencies, preventing them from being eliminated or underfunded. Further, Sen. Mikulski fought for an amendment to the healthcare legislation that required insurers to cover preventive care and screenings for women at little or no cost to the patient.

The Maryland senator took her oath of office for the 112^th Congress earlier today among friends, family, and distinguished colleagues. Mikulski was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and served as a social worker before entering politics as a member of the Baltimore City Council in 1971.

She first ran for the U.S. Senate in 1974 and lost but was undeterred. Mikulski won her next election to the House in 1976. She was later elected to the Senate in 1987, and then was one of only two women in the Senate at that time. She became a hallmark for women’s rights and a fierce advocate for equality.

Mikulski was re-elected to her fifth term last November with 62 percent of the vote. SWHR extends its congratulations to Sen. Mikulski for this achievement and continued support of women’s health.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Winterize Your Body and Mind

2011-01-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

By: Jennifer Wider, MD
January 3, 2011

As the winter months approach bringing holidays and good cheer, certain health issues may arise that women should have on their radar. From mental health issues like stress, depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), to physical concerns like skin care, the winter can certainly pack a punch.

Depression peaks during the holiday season, afflicting more than 17 million Americans, according to the National Mental Health Association. On average, women are more vulnerable to stress-related illnesses like depression and anxiety than men. One study, conducted by Pacific Health Laboratories, revealed that 44% of American women report feeling sad through the holidays compared to 34% of American men.

"Depression of any kind is more common in females than males," explains Greg Murray, M.D., lecturer and clinical psychologist at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. "A pattern of elevated depression in the winter months is more marked in women than in men."

There are a host of different reasons why women may be more susceptible to stress during the holidays than men. Women tend to be the primary caretakers of the family and often take on the extra burden of gift buying, entertaining, and coordinating visits with extended family during the holidays. For working women, the added responsibilities can be difficult to balance, especially if they are already balancing a family, job, child-care and elder-care duties.

In addition to clinical depression, SAD or “winter depression,” affects women more often than men. SAD is a type of depression that usually occurs in the late fall through early spring. The specific cause remains unknown, but many studies point to a disruption in a person’s internal clock due to reduced levels of sunlight. Symptoms of SAD include: depressed mood, lethargy, apathy, changes in sleep or appetite, social withdrawal and difficulty concentrating. According to information from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, women are diagnosed more frequently than men yet men tend to have more severe symptoms.

Treatment for SAD is similar to regular depression and can include psychotherapy, medication, and other therapies. Light therapy has been proven effective and involves sitting a few feet away from a specialized light box. The light is supposed to imitate outdoor light and some studies have shown that it actually sparks a change in the brain chemicals that regulate a person’s mood.

The winter months can also wreak havoc on a person’s skin. With the outside cold air and dry indoor heat, many people complain of dry, cracked and flaking skin. Remember these few tips to prevent dry skin during the winter:

Hydrate: some women forget to drink the recommended 8 glasses of water a day because the temperature has dropped, but hydration is just as important in the winter and will help keep the much needed moisture in your skin.

Exfoliate: some skin care experts recommend removing the dead skin cells to keep the skin smoother and less dry.

Moisturize: using a moisturizer during the winter months can help your skin stay soft and less itchy. For people with sensitive skin, hypo-allergenic products are recommended.

Don’t forget the sunscreen: even though it’s wintertime, sun protection is just as important, especially on the face and hands.

Sources

Alexander JL, Dennerstein L, et al. Women, anxiety and mood : a review of nomenclature, comorbidity and epidmiology. Expert Rev Neurother. 2007. Nov;7(11 Suppl):S45-58.

Privitera MR, Moynihan J, Tang W, Khan A, Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder in a clinical office setting. J Psychiatr Pract. 2010 Nov;16(6):387-93.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Women, Depression and Obesity: What's Eating You?

2010-12-14T08:58:00.000-08:00

SWHR holds congressional briefing exploring links between obesity and depression

Washington, DC (December 14, 2010) — The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) presented the topical Capitol Hill briefing, Holiday Blues: Women, Depression and Obesity on Thursday, December 9, which featured four panelists detailing the links between depression and obesity.

Obesity is the newest health threat due in large part to American’s sedentary lifestyle and poor food choices. Co-morbidities of obesity include depression, heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, hypertension, some cancers, osteoporosis and more. Sex differences in obesity play a role in fat distribution, higher financial burden on women, and incidence rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2008 33.2% of females were obese, with a body-mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

Belinda Needham, PhD, Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, spoke to the effects of obesity and depression, “17% of women will experience serious depression; females are two times as likely to be depressed as males, and women gain weight faster than men.” Needham presented findings from a community study to gauge the effects of obesity on depression and discovered women had higher BMIs at the start of the study and ended up larger than men at the end of the study. She concluded that depression led to weight gain and not the other way around.

“Elevated depressive symptoms affect over 25% of adolescents, and adolescent girls with elevated depressive symptoms are 2.5 times more likely to develop obesity at a later point in time compared to girls without depressive symptoms,” said Lauren B. Shomaker, PhD, Adjunct Scientist in the Unit on Growth and Obesity, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. “Depressive symptoms lead to an increase in stress-induced eating, which results in obesity. And depression is theorized to alter physical fitness by a loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed physical activities.”

Fortunately, there are researchers leading studies to reverse this trend. Jay Breines, Executive Director, Holyoke Health Center, launched a pilot program at his health center in Holyoke, Mass. to combat obesity and teach proper nutrition and exercise habits to high-risk populations. His program integrated physicians, dentists, nurses, outreach workers, and promotoras among many others to provide a full care team for the participants to fight obesity and stop depression from taking hold. Breines closed with an advisory message to fellow community health organizers battling obesity, “We must engage at the community level to save money on our healthcare system.”

Christine Ferguson, Director, STOP Obesity Alliance and Research Professor, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, outlined the obesity cost burden. Ferguson’s research team found the overall annual costs of being obese are $4879 for an obese woman and $2646 for an obese man. “There is a real, tangible economic impact for those women who are obese in our society,” said Ferguson. Obese women are paid less than average-weight women whereas obese men are paid the same as average-weight men. This can be partly attributed to social stigmatization and the already present gender wage gap.

“The key to obesity policy is to relate more to the health aspect, and less the aesthetic,” said Ferguson. Focusing on health versus looks may decrease depression and boost self-esteem. We need to support programs that target adolescents and teach healthy lifestyle habits in order to stave off depression as well as obesity.

Depression may lead to weight gain and vice versa, thus treatment for either should target both mind and body. Properly training physicians on weight-related issues, providing health and nutrition centers in high-risk communities, and focusing on the health aspects of obesity are just a few more ways to fight the fat and, in turn, defeat depression this holiday season and beyond.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Streisand Speaks Out on Women and Heart Disease

2010-11-23T11:34:00.000-08:00

This week, Barbara Streisand published an article highlighting the gross inequities in heart disease. We would like to thank her for her statement. Unfortunately, heart disease is not the only condition that affects women disproportionately or differently from men.

Before 1990, women were not included in medical research and clinical trials, and to almost everyone women’s health meant reproductive health. After the establishment of the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) in 1990 and legislation that required the inclusion of women in research studies, we have learned that biological sex must be considered in all phases of medical research and in clinical care.

For example, women may have different symptoms when experiencing a heart attack and women are more likely than men to have a second heart attack within a year of the first one. Lung cancer, autoimmune disorders, drug and alcohol addiction, osteoporosis, pain conditions, stroke, and depression are but a few of the conditions that effect women differently; and the differences influence the methods of prevention and diagnosis, the symptoms and the treatment options.

SWHR advocates for greater research into sex differences and increasing the number of women and minorities in clinical trials to better treat these debilitating diseases.

With the help of celebrities such as Barbara Streisand more people will become aware of the inequities in medical research and health care and support increased funding for sex differences research. For more information on biological differences that affect our health, please visit www.swhr.org. Click here to read Ms. Streisand's article.

Behind Closed Doors: Americans and Sex

2010-11-17T12:15:00.000-08:00

By: Jennifer Wider, MD
November 17, 2010

A recent study conducted by sexual health researchers at Indiana University challenges some of the myths about sexual practices among adolescents and adults in this country. The National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB), which was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, is the largest, most comprehensive survey of American’s sexual behavior since 1994.

The study includes information from roughly 6,000 American participants, ranging in age from 14-94. Among other things, the study reveals patterns of condom use, same-sex encounters, sexually-transmitted diseases and sexual behavior among men and women.

One of the more surprising findings involved condom use. Adolescents between the ages of 14-17 reported high rates of protected sex. “Our data show that, in fact, the majority of adolescents are using condoms,” said Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS, professor of Pediatrics in the Indiana University School of Medicine, who led the adolescent section of the survey. The same did not hold true for older adults. “The proportion of older adults using condoms, however, is much smaller.”

This finding was worrisome for the researchers because it poses an increase in risk of disease among an aging population who report multiple sexual partners. And although this age group may not be as concerned about pregnancy, the finding suggests that sexually transmitted disease education and prevention efforts may need to be increased for this population.

“One reason condom use remains low is that misconceptions about condoms are common. For example, many people justify condom non-use by saying that condoms interfere with sexual pleasure,” said Fortenberry. “However, among adults, ratings of sexual pleasure at last intercourse were no different among those using condoms as compared to those not using condoms. We think this means that health care providers and health educators should be more assertive about the idea that condoms do not detract from the quality of sexual experiences.”

There were some similarities in condom use among adolescents and adults; however, “For both adolescents and adults the relationship context in which sex occurs influences the use. Condom use is much higher for less involved and shorter relationships, and is much lower in longer term relationships,” said Fortenberry.

There were some notable gender differences as well:

Men were more likely to achieve an orgasm when vaginal intercourse was involved, while women were more likely to experience orgasm when they engaged in a variety of acts, including oral sex.
85% of men reported that their latest sexual partner climaxed during sexual intercourse, while only 64% of women reported having an orgasm during their latest sexual encounter.
Roughly 33% of women reported feeling pain during intercourse, compared with only 5% of men.
Roughly 7% of adult women and 8% of men identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The proportion of participants who reported same-gender sex at some point in their lives was higher among men.

The study revealed a wide variety of sexual experiences among American adults. The number of adults engaging in just one sex act per encounter has gone down over the years. And while vaginal intercourse is still the most common sexual behavior in the United States, many sexual experiences do not involve intercourse, but instead involve partnered masturbation or oral sex.

Maintaining an active and healthy sex life is part of overall total body health. And this recent study highlights the importance of sexual health and education. “Perhaps the most important point is the presence and importance of sex and sexuality throughout the lifespan” said Fortenberry. “Data like those in our study confirm and extend findings of others and give us the empirical basis for continued commitment to sexual health, with education, public dialogue and access to sexual health services as the most important outcome of the work.”

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

SWHR Presents "Science of Sex" at TedX Conference

2010-11-09T12:22:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (November 9, 2010) - The highly anticipated TEDxNASA 2010 event at Christopher Newport University featured an intriguing presentation by Society for Women’s Health Research President and CEO Phyllis Greenberger. The well-received presentation, The Science of Sex, illustrates where sex-based biological research is currently and how it will significantly impact health outcomes for both women and men in the future.

In front of 1650 people at the Ferguson Center for the Arts, Greenberger shared SWHR’s mission and strategic goals with a new audience of policymakers, federal agency employees, and the general public, many of whom had never heard of sex-based biology.

“The opportunity to present to such a new and diverse group is crucial to expanding sex differences awareness to the general populous,” said Greenberger. “I appreciate the energy and feedback the audience provided me during the presentation and hope I inspired some new debate on sex differences research.”

Other notable speakers at the jam-packed event were Dr. Bobby Braun, NASA Chief Technologist, who spoke on future space missions and technologies; Dr. Jim Green, Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA; and Lesa Roe, Director of NASA’s Langley Research Center.

The TED talks have been viewed online more than 100 million times worldwide and an even larger audience is expected this year with the expansion of the talks through NASA’s highly regarded website. Click here to watch her presentation on YouTube.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

New Sex Differences Journal Launches

2010-11-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC (November 4, 2010) - Biology of Sex Differences (BSD), the official journal of the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences (OSSD), has been launched. Biology of Sex Differences is an open access, peer-reviewed, online journal launched by BioMed Central. BSD considers manuscripts on all aspects of the effects of sex on biology and disease.

Articles published in BSD will relate to sex differences and feature articles on the separate and interacting effects of any hormonal, genetic, or environmental factors which cause sex differences in phenotype or disease.

“Biology of Sex Differences is dedicated to presenting advanced research on all aspects of the effects of sex on biology and disease,” said Viviana Simon, Ph.D., Vice President of Scientific Affairs at SWHR. “This journal provides a platform for publishing the most advanced research in which sex is a factor, involving animal models and/or humans.”

Some topic areas in BSD include, but are not limited to, sex differences in: the genome, epigenetics, molecular and cell biology, tissue biology, physiology, body interactions, and clinical studies focused on sex differences.

Biology of Sex Differences also publishes articles about sex-specific factors that counteract each other to reduce sex differences rather than cause them. Of particular interest is material about the biological origins of sex differences in disease models, animal or human. BSD welcomes papers reporting on sex differences in clinical studies or other studies of humans, particularly if they affect the biological mechanisms related to human physiology or disease.

Editor-in-Chief Art Arnold, the force behind the journal’s launch, is excited to present the first edition later this week. “BSD will be a great forum for discussion of the causes and consequences of sex differences in human and animal physiology and disease. BSD will bring together scientists from diverse disciplines and from around the world to share information on the common factors that cause sex differences in many tissues,” said Arnold. “There’s never been greater interest in this topic. If one sex is protected from a disease, then studying the sex differences might lead to the identification of the factors that are protective.”

This ground breaking journal is available worldwide at no cost to anyone with an internet connection by visiting www.bsd-journal.com. To submit an article, please use the online submission system at www.bsd-journal.com/manuscript.

The first issue will launch on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly how sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research. Visit SWHR’s website at www.swhr.org for more information.

The Organization for the Study of Sex Differences (OSSD) was launched in 2006 in partnership with the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) to promote scientific research on sex differences.

Spina Bifida: How to Protect Yourself and Your Baby

2010-10-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

By: Jennifer Wider, MD
October 25, 2010

October marks National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, a condition that affects thousands of American babies each year.

Spina Bifida is a birth defect caused by the incomplete closing of the neural tube during embryonic development. The neural tube is a structure that ultimately forms the baby’s brain and spinal cord and their surrounding tissues. In normal fetal development, the neural tube forms early on in pregnancy and closes several weeks thereafter. In babies with Spina Bifida, a portion of the tube fails to close properly, which can lead to defects in the back bone and spinal cord.

According to statistics from the Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA), Spina Bifida is the most common, permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. Every day, roughly eight babies are born with Spina Bifida or a related birth defect in this country.

While the exact cause of Spina Bifida is not entirely known, there are several recognized risk factors. According to information from the Mayo Clinic’s Foundation for Education and Research, the following are the most common risk factors:

Family history: Women who have given birth to one child with a neural tube abnormality seem to have a higher risk of occurrence in subsequent children.
Race: Spina Bifida seems to more common in Caucasian and Hispanic populations.
Folic Acid deficiency: A nutritional deficiency of folate (or folic acid), vitamin B9, increases the risk of Spina Bifida and many other neural tube defects.
Certain medications: Research studies have shown that certain drugs including anti-seizure medications may interfere in the body’s ability to utilize folic acid and can lead to an increase in neural tube problems.
Obesity: Women who are obese prior to and during their pregnancies have a higher risk for Spina Bifida and other known neural tube deformities.

While some of the risk factors cannot be controlled, others including diet and vitamin supplements clearly make a difference. “Folic acid dietary supplementation appears to reduce the occurrence of Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects,” explains William Graf, MD, Director of the Yale/New Haven Hospital Spina Bifida Program in Connecticut. “Clinicians in the United States should advise women without a family history of NTDs (neural tube defects), who anticipate a pregnancy to take .4-.8 mg (400-800 micrograms) of folic acid daily.”

According to data from the SBAA, “if all women who could possibly become pregnant were to take a multivitamin with folic acid, the risk of neural tube defects like Spina Bifida could be reduced by up to 70 percent.” Because many pregnancies are unplanned, most experts recommend women in their childbearing years to take the recommended dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid. Folic acid can be found in foods including: dark, green leafy vegetables, whole wheat products, nuts and seeds, oranges, grapefruits and fortified cereals and grains.

It is important for women to realize the cause of Spina Bifida is not clearly understood and most likely results from an interplay of many factors, including: nutritional, environmental and genetic. According to Dr. Graf, “there has been a slight miscommunication that folic acid will completely prevent this very complex, early neurodevelopmental disorder.” Thus, if a woman has a family or personal history of neural tube defects, it is important she speaks to her health care provider about how to further reduce the risk for her offspring.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

Havoc Reigns in DC

2010-10-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Provocative new documentary premieres in DC

Washington, DC (September 29, 2010) — On September 28, in front of a packed house at the Burke Theatre in the United States Navy Memorial, the provocative documentary Hot Flash Havoc premiered to an audience of prominent Washingtonians as well as out of town guests.

Hosted by the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), the film, which was both informative and entertaining, received thunderous applause at the curtain’s call. Following the screening, a panel moderated by SWHR president and CEO Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, and featuring distinguished physicians Alan Altman, MD, Pamela Peeke, MD, and Susan Wysocki, RNC, NP took questions from the audience on this important rite of passage.

“We are very happy with the turnout and reactions the documentary is receiving,” said Greenberger. “Producer Heidi Houston will be taking her film on a cross-country major market tour de force. The film is a must-see!”

The partnership between Hot Flash Havoc and SWHR will continue to raise awareness on menopause and available treatments. To order a copy of the DVD, please visit www.swhr.org and watch for the announcement of the DVD’s availability; a portion of the proceeds benefit SWHR and women’s health research.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly how sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research. Visit SWHR’s website at www.swhr.org for more information.

SWHR Applauds House Passage of the HEART for Women Act

2010-09-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC (September 30, 2010) — Important legislation to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the leading killers of American women — heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases passed the House of Representatives late last night, Septemeber 29, marking a huge victory for women’s health advocates everywhere.

The Heart Disease Education, Analysis and Research and Treatment (HEART) for Women Act raises awareness among women and their health care providers about their risk for heart disease and stroke. The bill provides greater oversight of Food and Drug Administration requirements for reporting sex and race-based data about new medicines and devices and authorizes the expansion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISEWOMAN screening program for low-income, uninsured women to additional states.

“Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women and the HEART for Women Act will raise awareness, improve treatment options and educate women on prevention and care. SWHR is pleased with the House’s vote today,” said Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W., president and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research.

Every minute in this country, someone's mother, sister, wife or friend will die from heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular diseases. These diseases claim the lives of more than 432,000 American women each year — more than the next four causes of death combined. Nearly half of all African-American women have some form of cardiovascular disease, compared to 35 percent of Caucasian women. More than 90 percent of primary care physicians do not know that more women die each year from cardiovascular disease than men, according to an American Heart Association survey.

The legislation was introduced by Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly how sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research. Visit SWHR’s website at swhr.org for more information.