Category: Made For Science

Osteoporosis – Make No Bones About It: A Serious Health Issue for Women of All Ages

Posted on | by

Osteoporosis – Make No Bones About It: A Serious Health Issue for Women of All Ages

Karen Spooner-Bunn

January 2024

According to an online article written by the staff at Portland, Oregon-based medical clinic, Generations Family Practice, the top five women’s health issues are cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, osteoporosis, depression and mental health, and autoimmune diseases. Among these, osteoporosis is the most common.

In women, Osteoporosis exceeds the rates of stroke, heart attack, and breast cancer combined. The National Osteoporosis Foundation states that one in four men will break a bone in their entire lifetime due to osteoporosis. In contrast, one in two women will break a bone in their entire lifetime due to osteoporosis, thus indicating the high risk and prevalence of osteoporosis in women. 

Osteoporosis Fast Facts 

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that causes them to weaken. It is also known as the “silent disease” because symptoms may not be apparent.[2] This information is crucial to our understanding of what this means for us as we age and for those of us already there! 

Age plays a large role when discussing Osteoporosis risk factors.

Case in point, a senior who just a week ago celebrated her 71st birthday, had been as and is experiencing a deterioration of bone density (aches and pain in knees and hip; this had an overwhelming effect on her ability to enjoy social events and fully participate in what once were considered daily activities; and also became less independent, needing assistance often to do things that were often done independent of help This woman held memberships at various gyms, pilates studios, dance classes, moved heavy furniture, lifted heavy objects; for close to 40 years, all the while taking supplements regularly, (with the exception of Calcium), and eating healthy sporadically. She felt she would be and stay in pretty good shape; but not thinking particularly of “bone health”, proved to be a serious error in thinking and/or judgment as her bones aged. 

A second article posted on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website (hereinafter known as CDC) detailed in several reports over a period of years how those with osteoporosis are much more likely to break bones in the hip, forearm, wrist, and spine. CDC added that most bones that are broken are caused by falls, and osteoporosis can significantly weaken bones more readily, causing them to break more often and much easier, even just by coughing or bumping into an object.[3] 

Osteoporosis is said to affect a person’s health and well-being drastically because broken bones can alter activities of daily living. For instance, a broken bone in the spine will begin to collapse and can cause people to lose height and not be able to stand erect. Women who are 50 and older are said to be 20% of those with osteoporosis, versus 5% of the male population. Surprisingly, an article from the CDC states that broken hips are the most serious of all broken bones.[4] So, many people with broken hips will need assistance, and will not be able to live alone. Sadly people with broken hips are more likely to die sooner.[4] 

The National Library of Medicine provides a comprehensive summary of osteoporosis in females and the disease’s impact on life for women who have the disease as well as life expectancy, gender disparities, and recent progress made in the treatment of osteoporosis.[6]

In summary, Osteoporosis is a health issue that, according to medical experts, a disease that is prevalent among women, so it is with urgency that knowledge and awareness of how it can rapidly deteriorate bones, thus having a consequential effect on the quality of life. 

References 

[1] Generations Family Practice. (2024). The Top 5 Women’s Health Issues. Generations Family Practice. https://www.generationsfamilypractice.com/blog/the-top-5-womens-health-issues 

[2]Bonehealthandosteoporosis.org Generationsfamilypractice.com (Osteoporosis fast facts) [3] WWW.CDC.gov Center for Disease Control and Prevention (genomics and precision health) [4] Centerfordiseasecontrol.com (how can osteoporosis affect my health) 

[5] Keen, M. U., & Reddivari, A. K. (2023, June 12). Osteoporosis in Females. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559156/ 

[6] Alswat K. A. (2017). Gender Disparities in Osteoporosis. Journal of clinical medicine research, 9(5), 382–387. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2970w

CarevixTM: A Modern Device to Combat Outdated Gynecological Practices

Posted on | by

CarevixTM: A Modern Device to Combat Outdated Gynecological Practices

Lula Dalupang

January 2024

The tenaculum is a gynecological instrument over a century old, created during the Civil War by Dr. Samuel-Jean Pozzi. Inspired by a forcep bullet extractor used on the battlefield, Pozzi mimicked the shape of the tool to create the “Pozzi forcep”, now known as the modern-day tenaculum[4]. This instrument, with its pointed teeth-like ends, is utilized in gynecological procedures to stabilize the cervix. Since the teeth pierce through the cervical tissue, 89% of women experience severe pain when undergoing tenaculum-based traction.[1] Despite developing different techniques for tenaculum stabilization, studies found neither attempted solution reduces pain by a significant amount[3]. Dr. Martin Winkler even compared the tenaculum to a “butcher’s hook”(2022). Women should not have to suffer due to outdated medical practices while living in the age of modern technology. 

This is why Aspivix reimagined the tenaculum with an innovative, atraumatic device: the CarevixTM. This device replaces the sharp teeth of a tenaculum with a much friendlier semi-circular, vacuum-like head. Soft-suction technology allows for cervical engagement without painfully perforating the tissue during various transcervical procedures (e.g. intrauterine device insertion, hysteroscopy, and fertility procedures).[1]

Ask your doctor if they recommend the Carevix[TM]

Aspivix conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 100 Swiss women at Geneva University Hospitals and Lausanne University Hospital to compare the CarevixTM to the tenaculum during an IUD insertion.[2] This clinical trial measured the practitioner’s perspective on the usability and efficacy, the patient’s sense of pain at different points throughout the insertion, the number of placement attempts and spontaneous releases, and an assessment of bleeding or other adverse events.[5] Results showed that women reported significantly lower pain levels when using the Carevix.TM Specifically, 52% less pain during cervix grasping, 53% less during cervix stabilization, 30% less during IUD insertion, and 33% less during cervix release. Overall, rates of bleeding subsequent to the procedure decreased by 78%.[2] Aspivix’s study was shared at the 16th Congress of the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health and the CarevixTM is now FDA-Cleared for the U.S. market and authorized in the UK. 

The practice of gynecology is historically rooted in racist and misogynistic experiments. The continuation of unnecessary procedures that discomfort the patient acts as a barrier to accessing healthcare. Out of women who choose against getting an IUD, 18% report the fear of pain as their reason for refusal.[4] In order to achieve healthcare equity, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of medical innovation and revision. We can support medical research by making monetary contributions, participating in clinical trials, and spreading education and awareness.

References

[1] “CarevixTM”. (2023). Aspivix. Retrieved Jan 2, 2024, from https://www.aspivix.com/ 

[2] “Clinical data show significantly lower IUD procedural pain and bleeding rates with aspivix’s novel suction-based cervical device”. (2022, May 25,). PR Newswire. Retrieved Jan 2, 2024, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clinical-data 

show-significantly-lower-iud-procedural-pain-and-bleeding-rates-with-aspivixs-novel-suction-ba sed-cervical-device-301554868.html?tc=eml_cleartime 

[3] Lambert, T., Truong, T., & Gray, B. (2019). Pain perception with cervical tenaculum placement during intrauterine device insertion: A randomised controlled trial. BMJ. https://10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200376 

[4] “Tenaculum: For over 100 years women have endured pain in gynecology”. (2020, Oct 28,). Aspivix. Retrieved Jan 2, 2024, from https://www.aspivix.com/tenaculum-for-over-100- years-women-have-endured-pain-in-gynecology/#:~:text=Inspired%20by%20the%20shape%20o f,changed%20and%20persists%20till%20today 

[5] “Usability, safety and efficacy of AspivixTM”. (2020, Dec 11,). ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved Jan 2, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04441333?term=Aspivix&check Spell=false&rank=1

Women’s Mental Health Benefits of Volunteering and Helping the Community

Posted on | by

Women’s Mental Health Benefits of Volunteering and Helping the Community

Makayla Anderson

January 2024

Volunteering is a vital source in how the community runs, and how things happen today. A common assumption about volunteering is that volunteering is all about others and that volunteers are being selfless. While the idea of helping others is just this way, the effects say otherwise. Volunteering and helping the community can have a positive impact on women’s mental health. Not only does volunteering provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, but it also allows for social and mental connection to the community, and the opportunity to make a difference in the world, one step at a time. 

Spending time outdoors, with friends, or with your own joyful company can do wonders for your mind.

Studies have shown that volunteering can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as increase overall life satisfaction. Volunteering can also provide a sense of belonging while helping out and increase self-esteem in women. In addition to this, volunteering can assist women in building new life skills and also experience personal growth along the way. Furthermore, volunteering in your community can provide a break from the stressors of your everyday life. Moreover, volunteering can allow you to make a shift in your perspective and outlook on life. For instance, while helping out at a local food shelf, you may notice how many people in your community would go without food to eat, if you had not helped stock the shelves or donated some canned goods. All of these circumstances could change your outlook on how precious some luxuries you have are. 

Overall, volunteering and helping the community can be a powerful tool and mechanism for women to improve their mental health and well-being. Volunteering is always a win-win situation, as not only do you benefit from helping out, but the community also benefits from the contributions of volunteers. 

References

[1] “Women and Mental Health – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (nih.gov)”

[2] “Mental Health | Office on Women’s Health (womenshealth.gov)”