MedNews — Sexual Health
Teen Pregnancy May Be Reduced by Sex Education in Schools, Says Study
Sex education may reduce teen pregnancy without increasing the amount of sexual intercourse among teens, or the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among them, according to new research.
"It is not harmful to teach teens about birth control in addition to abstinence," said study lead author Pamela Kohler, a program manager at the University of Washington in Seattle. More »
Concerns Voiced Over Long-Term Effects of Synthetic Progestins
In a study done at the University of Oregon, the widely used synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) decreased endothelial function in premenopausal women. The finding, researchers said, raises concerns about the long-term effects of MPA and possibly other synthetic hormones on vascular health in young women. More »
Researchers Find that Head and Neck Cancers May Be Different Diseases
Different risk factors for head and neck cancer have been identified by researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, raising the possibility that they are different forms of these diseases. More »
Experts Say Future Generations Will Experience Increased Infertility
Commenting on infertility, experts from the Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark and the University of California observe that infertility is a common problem in affluent societies, and it affects some 15% of couples who are trying to conceive. More »
Stress May Increase HPV and Cervical Cancer Risk
Sress can reduce the immune system's ability to resist HPV, a common sexually transmitted disease that may lead to cancer, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. No such association is seen, however, between past major life events, such as divorce or job loss, and the body's response to the infection. More »
Vaccination Controversy Spills Over to Video Sharing Site YouTube
There is a growing debate over the necessity of the number of vaccines administered today. The controversy often surrounds a number of issues, such as pharmaceutical company lobbying to require administration of vaccinations that critics say have not undergone adequate testing. More »
Infertility and Testicular Cancer Linked, Says Study
University of California, San Francisco researchers have found that men with a history of infertility have a markedly increased risk of subsequently developing testicular cancer. The purpose of the study was to assess testicular cancer in infertile men usingna cohort study methodology. More »
FDA: Spontaneous Hearing Loss due to Viagra, Levitra and Cialis
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved labeling changes for Viagra, Cialis and Levitra that "more prominently display the potential risk of sudden hearing loss."
While rare, there have been reported incidents of single-sided hearing loss in patients taking the above erectile dysfunction drugs (Type 5 PDE5 inhibitors).
The labeling change was prompted by a published case of sudden hearing loss in a patient taking Viagra, and further studies found a total of 29 patients with sudden hearing loss. More »
HPV Vaccine Not Effective for Treating Genital Warts in Women
For women with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, use of the HPV-16/18 vaccine will not accelerate reduction of the virus and should not be used to treat the infection, according to a study in the August 15, 2007 issue of JAMA.
HPV vaccines were designed to prevent HPV infection and the development of cervical precancers and cancer. Some research has suggested that HPV vaccines could help clear the virus in women already infected, according to background information in the article. More »
Increased Waist Circumference Flags Health Problems
The consequences of growing a "spare tire" means more than having to wear an oversize Hawaiian shirt to the pool.
According to a recently published study by Dr. Steven Kaplan, professor of urology at Cornell University, increased waist circumference provides "powerful correlation" for predicting whether male patients have an increased incidence of erectile and ejaculatory problems, diabetes, hypertension increased blood pressure, a high lipid level and an enlarged prostate.
