International Journal of Womens Health

A Scoping Review of Patient Navigation in the Continuity of Cancer Care for Women
Haroen H, Agustina HR, Pahria T, Mambang Sari CW, Adhipurnawan Winarno GN, Bangun AV, Pardosi JF and Akuoko CP
Cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide, particularly breast and cervical cancers. Continuity of care (CoC) is essential for effective cancer management but is often hindered by systemic, social, and economic barriers. Patient navigation has emerged as a promising intervention to improve access and coordination across the cancer care trajectory.
Evaluation of Risk Factor Screening Using the Ministry of Health's Scoring System for the Incidence of Early-Onset Preeclampsia in Primary Health Service
Pangesti WD, Sasongko EPS, Pribadi A and Hilmanto D
Early onset preeclampsia (E) causes severe complications that lead to morbidity and mortality in women. Various screening methods have been implemented, including the Ministry of Health's scoring system and eoPEE prevention programs implemented in primary health care in Indonesia.
Prevalence and Predictors of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Among Sudanese Women: A Retrospective Analysis of Newly Diagnosed Cases
Habbani SF, Yang Z, Mohammad M, Hamid MM, Alfadil R, Lawis DE, Mohammed SI and Wu H
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Data on TNBC in Sudan are scarce. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of TNBC and other molecular subtypes (Luminal A, Luminal B, and HER2-enriched) in relation to histopathological patterns, age at diagnosis, and sociodemographic risk factors.
Prevalence and Correlates of Depression and Anxiety Among Women with HPV-Related Cervical Disease: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Shenzhen, China
Jing S, Xin Y, Dai Z, Wang Y, Yang T, Lin Q, Shan T, Zhu L, Hu H and Su X
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, significantly contributing to cervical lesions and cancer. It not only damages physical health but also causes substantial mental problems, including depression and anxiety. However, research remains fragmented in China.
Integrating Chinese Herbal Medicine in IVF: A Protocol for Randomized Controlled Trial of Gushen Antai Pill
Xu Y, Hu X, Ai KL, Sun ZG and Song JY
Effective ovarian stimulation and luteal phase support (LPS) are key factors for the success of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) The present multicenter randomized trial evaluates whether adding Gushen Antai Pill (GSATP) to standard LPS improves the ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) in women with normal ovarian reserve (NOR) undergoing fresh embryo transfer.
Trajectories and Predictors of Physical Activity in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Guangzhou, China: A Prospective Study
Zhao H, Lan Y, Lin W and Li Z
This study analyzed physical activity (PA) trajectories, identified subgroups, and explored their associations in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Exploring Gut Microbe-Host Genes in Postpartum Depression: Mendelian Randomization and Transcriptomic Analysis
Cong T, Liu J, Yuan L and Chu Z
To suggest a potential causal role of gut microbiota in Postpartum depression (PPD) and identify susceptible microbiota-host genes.
The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Complete Tooth Loss and Dental Visits in Menopausal and Non-Menopausal Women: Insights from the CHARLS
Gong H and Li M
To assess the incidence of complete tooth loss and dental visits in menopausal women and to identify relevant influencing factors in China.
Serum Uric Acid and Intrauterine Insemination Outcomes in Non-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Women: A Retrospective Study
Zhang X, Dong Y, Sun R, Yang H, Yu L, Wang D, Chang R, Wei X, Wang S, Chen F and Qin Q
To investigate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and reproductive outcomes in non-polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment.
Struggles in Accessing Healthcare, the Experiences Made by Women with Lipedema in Sweden - A Qualitative Study
Dahlberg J, Nylander E, Persson M and Shayesteh A
Lipedema is a relatively unknown condition, often leading to misdiagnosis and a lack of proper treatment.
A Prognostic Nomogram Based on an Immunogenic Cell Death and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Gene Signature for Ovarian Cancer
Lu X, Zhu L, Zhang X, Yang N, Zhu Z and Liu Q
Gene signatures offer superior power on prognosis and survival of patients over traditional single-gene biomarker. This study aimed to develop a nomogram based on an immunogenic cell death (ICD) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related gene signature to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients with ovarian cancer (OC).
Nonlinear Association Between Oxidative Balance Score and Premature Menopause: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of NHANES 2007-2018 Data
Qiu CX, Qiu M, Xu K, Li XY, Wang XY, Wu XC and Shi Y
Oxidative stress is a critical mediator in ovarian aging, a key process leading to premature menopause (PM), which is defined as menopause before age 40. While the Oxidative Balance Score (OBS), a composite measure of dietary and lifestyle pro- and anti-oxidant exposures, provides valuable insight, its association with PM remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between OBS and PM in a nationally representative US population.
Health Utility Values and Influencing Factors Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Rural Yunnan Province, China
Wang X, Deng R, Yang Z, Liao R, Xiao Y, Yan C, Jiao F and Huang Y
Health utility values (HUVs) are quantifiable metrics used to assess health-related quality of life and reflect individuals' overall physical, psychological, and social well-being. This study measured HUVs using the the five-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) among women in rural Yunnan, China, and identify their determinants to inform targeted interventions for improving maternal quality of life and promoting infant development in resource-limited settings.
Prenatal Screening for Monosomy X in the First Trimester: A Comparison of a Thai Predictive Model and the Fetal Medicine Foundation Algorithm
Kongsung N, Tongprasert F, Kunanukulwatana C and Tongsong T
This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the first-trimester Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) algorithm in predicting monosomy X and compare it with a Thai NT-based model using nuchal translucency (NT) alone or combined with maternal serum markers.
The Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Among Jordanian Pregnant Women
Qatawneh A, Shaqour RAE, Al-Amayreh I, Abuhussein H, Abd Alnabi A, Alaiwah M, Khatatneh AS, Alqatawneh A and Thekrallah F
Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common in pregnant women and can lead to serious complications. During pregnancy, routine screening for bacteriuria is often not standard in many developing countries, leading to underdiagnosis. In Jordan, there is limited data on ASB in pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, causative organisms, antibiotic sensitivity, and associations with maternal conditions and diseases.
Obstetric Rectal Buttonhole Tear: Case Series, Literature Review, and Management Recommendations
Tang J, Fu D, Wang X and Wang X
Obstetric rectal buttonhole tear (ORBT) is a rare but serious complication of vaginal delivery, associated with rectovaginal fistula and fecal incontinence. Standardized management protocols are lacking.
Sleep Quality and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Genetic Evidence and Clinical Benefits of NTZF Combined with HRT
Zhang Z, Wang K, An S, Ma J and Zhang Y
This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between sleep and Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) using genetic methods and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Chinese herbal medicine Ningxin-Tongyu-Zishen Formula (NTZF) combined with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on reproductive hormone levels and sleep quality in patients with POI through a clinical controlled trial.
Epidemiological Evidence That Air Pollutants May Accelerate or Delay Breast Cancer Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Liu J, Gao C, Lou P, Ma T and Wang L
To explore the effects of long-term exposure to air pollutants on risk of death and survival time of breast cancer patients.
Comparison of Maternal Outcomes Between Cesarean Hysterectomy and Wedge Resection in Pregnant Women with Figo Grade 2 Placenta Accreta Spectrum
Roseli A, Bayuaji H and Aziz MA
To compare maternal outcomes between cesarean hysterectomy and wedge resection in pregnant women diagnosed with FIGO grade 2 placenta accrete spectrum (PAS).
Beyond the Pelvis: Brain Metastases in Cervical Cancer - A Case Series from a Low-Middle-Income Country
Sibarani CNR, Suardi D, Salima S, Nathania N and Adrianto N
Brain metastases from cervical cancer are exceedingly rare and pose significant clinical challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to advanced diagnostics and therapies may be limited. We report two cases of cervical carcinoma with brain metastases managed at a tertiary center in Indonesia, each illustrating distinct histopathologic subtypes and metastatic trajectories. The first case involved a 31-year-old woman with a grade II neuroendocrine carcinoma who developed intracranial recurrence 11 months after achieving a complete response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In the second case, a 46-year-old woman with poorly differentiated non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma developed progressive brain and pulmonary metastases during adjuvant radiotherapy. Both patients underwent craniotomy for gross total resection of symptomatic brain lesions, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. The surgical intervention led to substantial neurological improvement in both cases, underscoring the role of symptom-directed neurosurgical palliation even in the setting of disseminated disease. These cases highlight the need for heightened clinical vigilance, individualized multidisciplinary management, and strategic application of available resources to improve outcomes in patients with central nervous system involvement from cervical cancer, especially within resource-constrained healthcare systems.
Research Progress on the Relationship Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Coagulation Dysfunction in Preeclampsia
Zou M, Tang D, Liu F and Guan F
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific complication that typically occurs in the mid to late stages of gestation. Its main clinical features include gestational hypertension, proteinuria, and multiple organ dysfunction. In severe cases, it may progress to eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and even pose life-threatening risks to both mother and fetus. Recent studies have found that serum uric acid (UA) levels are significantly elevated in patients with PE and closely correlated with disease severity, suggesting that UA may not only serve as a metabolic marker but also play an active role in the pathogenesis of PE. At the same time, coagulation dysfunction-an important pathological feature of PE-manifests as thrombocytopenia, consumption of coagulation factors, suppression of the fibrinolytic system, and microthrombus formation. These changes contribute significantly to organ damage and adverse pregnancy outcomes in PE. This review summarizes the dynamic changes in serum uric acid levels during PE and explores their relationship with coagulation abnormalities. Particular emphasis is placed on the potential mechanisms by which uric acid induces coagulation disorders, including endothelial cell injury, oxidative stress aggravation, and activation of inflammatory pathways. Additionally, the review discusses the clinical utility of various coagulation-related biomarkers (such as D-dimer, fibrinogen, PAI-1, and P-selectin) in the early prediction, severity assessment, and clinical management of PE. Current research indicates that combined monitoring of serum uric acid and coagulation markers-for instance, models integrating UA with the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio or with PAI-1, which have demonstrated high predictive accuracy (AUC >0.90) for early-onset PE-may improve early detection and risk stratification. However, the current evidence remains primarily observational and is limited by heterogeneity in study designs. Future studies should prioritize well-designed prospective cohorts to clarify causal relationships and explore more sensitive and specific combined predictive models to provide a stronger theoretical and clinical foundation for improving maternal and fetal outcomes.