Frontiers in Reproductive Health | New and Recent Articles

IntroductionHIV testing is central to early diagnosis and HIV prevention, yet uptake among youth remains suboptimal in many low- and middle-income countries. Our study examined HIV testing uptake and its associated factors among youth aged 15–24 years in Myanmar.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2015–16 Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS), restricting the sample to yo…

While 60 countries have expanded legal abortion access over the past three decades, implementation gaps persist, necessitating innovative approaches beyond conventional law reform. This paper examines the concept of menstrual regulation, which refers to actions taken to bring back a late period for an individual who may or may not be pregnant. Although only formally institutionalized in Banglades…

BackgroundEndometriosis is a complex gynaecological disorder that affects 10%–15% of reproductive-age women and is characterized by chronic inflammation, pelvic pain, and infertility. Although mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis, the causal relationships between mitochondrial genes and endometriosis remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate these relationships…

Uninsured populations face disproportionately high rates of unplanned pregnancy due to financial and structural barriers to effective contraception. While long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), offers high efficacy for pregnancy prevention, implementation of IUDs within independent student-run free clinics (SRFCs) can be limited by a lack of hospital aff…

IntroductionAssisted reproductive technology (ART) practice varies widely across centers and evolves rapidly, often outpacing the generation of randomized evidence. OPERA (Observational ProjEct for a Research database for ART procedures) was developed to create a harmonized, multinational real-world database derived from routine clinical ART documentation and to provide a structured overview of c…

IntroductionInfertility treatment may be influenced by systemic metabolic and redox imbalances. This prospective observational (cross-sectional) study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical risk factors on oxidative stress markers and components of the antioxidant defence system in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.MethodsTo capture complex redox interactions, we applied a triad-based ana…

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nalbuphine compared to Pethidine for pain relief during oocyte retrieval.MethodsIn a double-blinded, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial (n = 94), participants were randomized equally into two groups. The intervention group received 10 mg intravenous Nalbuphine combined with 5 mg of Midazolam, while the control …

PurposeTo determine whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) improves cumulative live birth rates (cLBR) compared with conventional IVF among patients with non–male factor infertility.MethodsThis descriptive retrospective cohort study used linked Canadian Assisted Reproductive Technologies Registry (CARTR Plus) and Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) data from 2013 to 2022. Outcomes …

IntroductionMale participation in maternal and child healthcare (MCH) is essential for improving health outcomes for women and children. Despite evidence that male involvement enhances adherence to medical recommendations and reduces maternal and infant mortality, pregnancy and childbirth are traditionally viewed as women's responsibilities in many settings in Mozambique. This study aimed to expl…

To preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys with cancer, testicular tissue can be cryopreserved in the hope of subsequently inducing their maturation after transplantation or in vitro culture for natural conception or medically assisted reproduction. Testicular tissue maturation procedures are currently at an experimental stage and mainly developed in animal models. Among these, in vitro sperm …

Asthenozoospermia, a main cause of male infertility, is characterized by diminished sperm motility and increased morphological abnormalities, presenting a major barrier to natural conception. While current treatments provide limited benefit, their effectiveness is often variable, invasive, and costly. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), guided by holistic principles and syndrome diff…

BackgroundAlthough fertility has declined in Malawi, a substantial gap persists between women's fertility-limiting intentions and contraceptive behaviour. Previous studies often include childless women, potentially obscuring patterns among women who have already entered parenthood. This study examines fertility preferences and contraceptive behaviour among in-union women with at least one living …

IntroductionOvarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is commonly predicted by age, ovarian reserve markers, and outcomes of previous stimulation cycles. Androgens play a key role in follicular recruitment, development, and atresia. This study aimed to evaluate circulating androgens as additional, potentially modifiable prognostic markers of ovarian response.Materials and meth…

Recent shifts in U.S. and global HIV perinatal guidelines have reopened long-constrained conversations about infant feeding for people living with HIV (PLWH), including the option of breast/chestfeeding under conditions of viral suppression. While these changes represent meaningful progress, they unfold within a historical and contemporary landscape shaped by medical racism, gender-based oppressi…

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common heterogeneous condition characterized by reproductive disturbances and significant metabolic and other comorbidities. Nevertheless, the interrelations between autoimmune disorders and PCOS are still not clarified. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the specter of systemic and organ-specific autoimmune disorders in a large group …

IntroductionErectile dysfunction (ED) is often treated with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i). However, some patients do not respond effectively to this treatment, making regenerative therapy a potential alternative. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) secretome in patients with severe ED who are unresponsive to si…

Male infertility is an increasingly serious global health problem. As an organ with immune privilege, the testis possesses a unique immune microenvironment that shapes normal spermatogenesis. Distinct from the testicular microenvironment, the epididymis plays a critical role in both sperm maturation and immune regulation. This review aims to systematically describe the regulatory mechanisms of th…

IntroductionPartner notification (PN) involves informing current and past sexual partners of their potential exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and encouraging them to seek testing and treatment. Effective PN is critical for STI control, yet little is known about how youth in sub-Saharan Africa experience and practice PN. This paper reports on a mapping of evidence on youth-relate…

PurposeThis study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics and distribution patterns of gynecological diseases among hospitalized patients in a tertiary hospital serving China's northeastern mining region, compared disease profiles with national averages, and discussed implications for targeted nursing interventions.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using electronic m…