This article examines some new and interesting findings in the medical literature.

Progesterone supplements have been shown to reduce the rate of spontaneous preterm birth in women with a short cervix (less than or equal to 15 mm) on ultrasound at 20 to 25 weeks of pregnancy. However, this did not reduce the rate in women pregnant with twins.

The Centers for Disease Control recommend nonpregnant women who are not immune to varicella (the virus that causes chickenpox) be vaccinated against this virus if they do not plan to become pregnant withint the next month.

This is a novel idea, if you smoke, stop. Women who smoke can reduce their risk of recurrent abruptio placenta (a complication of pregnancy) by 50 percent if they kick the habit.

Scientific studies have shown that a drug called Tinidazole is at least as effective for treating bacterial vaginosis as the tried and true drug Metronidazole. For those of you have ever taking Metronidazole (also called Flagyl) you will be thrilled to know there is a drug that may not have the same metallic taste as Flagyl.

The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, and Society of Gynecologic Oncologists have issued a consensus statement which proposes guidelines for the early detection of cancer of the ovaries, a potentially devastating disease. Specifically, they recommend that those with the following symptoms which occur close to daily for several weeks see their physician to be evaluated for ovarian cancer: pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating, feeling full quickly when eating or even difficulty eating, an urgency to urinate or an increased frequency of urination.

Many women suffer from fibroid tumors (benign tumors of the uterus that can cause pelvic pain and excessive vaginal bleeding). Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is one technique to treat this ailment. A recent scientific study compared two groups of women, those who underwent hysterectomy for their fibroids and those who underwent UFE. Over the short-term, the rate of major complicaitons was similar at 5 percent. While at two years follow-up almost 24 percent of patients who initially underwent UFE subsequently had a hysterectomy, 76 percent who otherwise may have had a hysterectomy had not.

Stress urinary incontinence (losing control of your bladder when you sneeze or cough) is a distressing condition for countless ladies. For many women, the procedure called transobturator tape sling, or TOT, may improve their condition without as many side effects as more traditional procedures. Ask your doctor if this procedure may be right for you.