Smith C

BackgroundThe chronic low back pain (cLBP) literature rarely includes comprehensive characterization of demographic and biomedical factors in a large sample of individuals. The University of Pittsburgh Mechanistic Research Center, entitled,…

BackgroundDespite the wide utilization of physical tests and pain assessments to evaluate individuals with chronic low back pain (cLBP), there is limited information about their feasibility in terms of test duration, the ability of individu…

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for infertility. Consequentially, women living with obesity may require fertility treatment to support them to conceive. Due to evidence suggesting obesity is also linked with poorer outcomes follow…

Infertility is a widespread issue which is estimated to affect up to 17.5% of the global population. Evidence suggests that the most common causes of female infertility are ovulation disorders (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome). That said, l…

BackgroundThis paper describes the development of an eight-week Compassion Focused Therapy for Pain Management (CFT-PM) group. This group was specifically designed for 'strivers' a sub-group of people with persistent pain who tend to engage…

Objective (study question)To use systems thinking with diverse system actors to (a) characterize current problems at the intersection of chronic conditions (CCs) and reproductive health (RH) care and their determinants, (b) determine necess…

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is persistent, intermittent cyclical and non-cyclical lower abdominal pain, lasting for more than 6 months. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a popular treatment option for women's health c…

BackgroundPoor menstrual health literacy impacts adolescents' quality of life and health outcomes across the world. The aim of this systematic review was to identify concerns about menstrual health literacy in low/middle-income countries (L…

Abstract Background Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) causes non-cyclical pelvic pain, period pain, fatigue and other painful symptoms. Current medical and surgical management strategies are often not sufficient to manage these symptoms and may lea…

Abstract Background: Endometriosis causes deleterious effects on the lives of sufferers across multiple domains impacting quality of life. Commonly utilised pharmaceutical interventions offer sub-optimal efficacy in addition to potentially…

Abstract Introduction Menstrual cycle-related conditions, such as dysmenorrhea and heavy bleeding, are common amongst those under 25. Despite having significant impact on work, education and social activities, most do not seek medical adv…

Abstract Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a common neurologic disorder, is more prevalent in women than in men. Evidence indicates the potential role of female hormones in the pathophysiology of RLS. However, few studies have examined the rela…

Abstract Background: Endometriosis is the presence of tissue similar to that of the endometrium outside the uterine cavity and is the most common cause of chronic pelvic pain. Current non-surgical treatments such as non-steroidal anti-infl…

Study objectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound in predicting a laparoscopic, surgically assigned, revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) endometriosis stage.DesignA multicenter, retrospective…

STUDY QUESTION: Does the uterine vasculature play a localized role in promoting stromal cell decidualization in the human endometrium? SUMMARY ANSWER: Our study demonstrated that hemodynamic forces induced secretion of specific endothelial …