Intimate body piercings in women

The popularity of (intimate) body piercing has increased as well as the chances of being confronted with (the complications) of it. This article provides information about the various types of intimate body piercings in women, the complications and concerns regarding the treatment of patients with intimate bodypiercings.     

Pregnancy-related changes in body fat

OBJECTIVE: To determine patterns of subcutaneous body fat change from preconception through 6 weeks postpartum, and factors that modify them. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 557 healthy women enrolled prior to pregnancy. Main outcome measure: Body weight and skinfold thickness at the thigh, triceps, and subscapula, preconception, in each trimester, and 6 weeks postpartum, along with other variables. RESULTS: Subcutaneous body fat stores remained stable (P>0.13) during the first 6 weeks after conception, and increased from 6 to 35 weeks by 1.5 mm at the triceps, 4.2 mm at the subscapular, and 7.3 mm (P<0.01) at the thigh areas. Body fat changes correlated poorly with weight changes, reflecting differences in the time course for the changes. They differed by preconceptional body mass index (BMI), parity, and infant gender (P<0.05). Women with the highest BMIs tended to gain less subcutaneous fat early, primiparous women gained more at thigh (P=0.01) and subscapular (P=0.027), and women carrying males had higher gains at the thigh (P=0.032) and subscapular sites (P=0.058) than other women. Breastfeeding status did not affect postpartum body fat changes, but women who breastfed exclusively had significantly lower skinfold thicknesses than non-exclusive breastfeeders from preconception through 6 weeks postpartum (P=0.041). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous body fat is stored and utilized at different sites at specific times during and after pregnancy. The pattern and amount of change varies depending on characteristics of women and their pregnancies.     

Excess body weight in women

The prevalence of excess body weight in Americans is increasing despite national efforts to reverse this trend. Excess body weight is a more common problem in women, especially minority women, than in men. It increases the risk of developing a host of adverse health conditions, and it places significant social and economic strains on the health care system. Excess body weight is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from such disorders as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer. Treatment for this chronic and complex condition is frustrating and often unsuccessful over the long term. Primary care physicians need to recognize the health risks posed by excess body weight and intervene early to help their patients make meaningful lifestyle changes. In this regard, physicians should develop a partnership with their patients. This includes recognizing the need to set realistic goals, encouraging the patient to develop a healthy diet and exercise plan, assessing the potential role for anorectic pharmacotherapy, and providing needed emotional support and encouragement.     

Foreign body granulomas in normal ovaries

In 100 consecutive cases in which grossly normal ovaries were removed at the time of pelvic surgery, 9% were found to contain crystalline foreign particles. An additional 9% contained cortical granulomas. In four of six cases, computer-assisted x-ray analysis of the crystalline foreign particles was successful and revealed magnesium and silicon.