In this week’s research post we share an outstanding summary of an article that addresses the possible long-term consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents, which makes the prompt diagnosis and treatment of PCOS a priority in this age group.
Our research series continues with this review of a study published in 2020 in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine titled, “Low Bone Mineral Density in Elite Female Athletes with a History of Secondary Amenorrhea in their Teens.” Secondary amenorrhea in teenage girls can have long term implications. Teaching young girls, including elite athletes, how to chart their cycle could lead to earlier evaluation and diagnosis of possible etiologies at the root of this important symptom. Learn more.
The post focuses on research in the field of fem tech and fertility awareness tracking apps. It is the first in our newly launched weekly series devoted exclusively to research and development in the field of fertility awareness and women’s reproductive health. We hope you will tune in each week to learn more! Today’s feature reviews a research study published in 2019 in “Fertility and Sterility” that summarizes and analyzes menstrual cycle data self-reported by more than 98,900 women via the Ovia Fertility mobile application-based period tracker.
This week we celebrate National Breastfeeding Month. Jessica Roberts, a 4th year medical student reviews research published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing in 2017 titled, “Effectiveness of an Online Natural Family Planning Program for Breastfeeding Women.” The study highlights the versatility of a fertility awareness-based method (FABM), the Marquette Model, for breastfeeding women who wish to prevent or delay pregnancy during the postpartum period.
This week’s post features a review of research published in 2016 about the effectiveness of cycle computers to indicate the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. The study joins the expanding body of research assessing devices, apps, and other female technology (fem-tech) growing in popularity as women seek non-hormonal ways to plan their families and monitor their health. The summary was written by Dr. Matthew Thigpen as part of a two-week online elective taught by FACTS executive director, Dr. Marguerite Duane, at Georgetown University College of Medicine.
For years, fertility was measured by how “regular” the woman was (i.e., the length and frequency of her menstrual cycles). With the onset of hormonal testing, scientists developed ways to more easily and objectively track a woman’s invisible hormonal physiology. This post, written by Dr. Rachel Engle, is a review of research published in 2013 which examines the characteristics and variability of individual normal menstrual cycle profiles using at-home monitors to test urine and serum and measure hormone metabolites. Click to read more.