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Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine if women with preeclampsia or delivering small for gestational age (SGA) babies are more likely to have a short duration of sexual relationship compared with those who have uncomplicated pregnancies. In a prospective cohort study, 2507 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies were interviewed at 15±1 weeks gestation about the duration of their sexual relationship with the biological father. Short duration of sexual relationship (≤6 months, ≤3 months, or first intercourse) was compared between women with preeclampsia (N =131) or SGA babies (N =263) and those with uncomplicated pregnancies (N =1462). Short duration of sexual relationship was more common in women with preeclampsia compared with uncomplicated pregnancies (≤6 months 14.5% versus 6.9%, adjusted odds ratio [adjOR] 1.88, 95% CI 1.05–3.36; ≤3 months 6.9% versus 2.5%, adjOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.03–5.25; first intercourse 1.5% versus 0.5%, adjOR 5.75, 95% CI 1.13–29.3). Although the total number of semen exposures was lower in SGA, SGA was not associated with a shorter duration of sexual relationship. On post hoc analysis, the subgroup of SGA with abnormal uterine artery Doppler at 20 weeks (N =58) were more likely to have had a short sexual relationship compared with controls (≤6 months adjOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.09–4.98; ≤3 months adjOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.18–8.79; first intercourse adjOR 8.02, 95% CI 1.58–40.7). We conclude that compared to uncomplicated pregnancies, short duration of sexual relationship is more common in women who develop preeclampsia and women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveforms who deliver an SGA baby. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: Comparison of male condom (MC) vs. female condom (FC) with respect to self-reported mechanical and acceptability problems and semen exposure using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as an objective biological marker and evaluation of the effect of an educational intervention on self-reported problems and semen exposure, by condom type. Design: Randomized crossover trial. Methods: Four hundred women attending a family planning clinic in Brazil were randomized and either received in-clinic instruction or were encouraged to read the condom package insert; all used two FCs and two MCs. We measured the rates of self-reported user problems with MC and FC use and the rates of semen exposure during use (assessed by testing vaginal fluid for PSA). Results: The educational intervention group reported fewer problems with either condom as compared with the control group (p=.0004, stratified by condom type). In both groups, self-reported problems were more frequent with FC use than with MC use (p<.0001, stratified by intervention). The educational intervention did not significantly reduce semen exposure. Overall, semen exposure occurred more frequently with FC use (postcoital PSA, >1 ng/mL; 22%) than with MC use (15%); the difference, however, was small and nonsignificant for high PSA levels (≥150 ng/mL; 5.1% for FC vs. 3.6% for MC). Conclusions: In this study, the FC was less effective than the MC in preventing semen exposure during use and led more frequently to self-reported user problems. Both devices were highly protective against “high-level” semen exposure, as measured by postcoital PSA levels in vaginal fluid. In-clinic education may reduce user problems and increase acceptability and use of both devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]