HSDD treatment, PAS guidelines, and more

Contemporary OB/GYN week in review: hormone therapies, PAS guidelines, and more

This week at Contemporary OB/GYN®, we covered topics ranging from postmenopausal hypoactive sexual desire disorder treatment to a new diagnostic approach for endometriosis. Click the links below to read anything you might have missed from Monday, July 21 to Friday, July 25, 2025.

The FDA granted Priority Review to an application for flibanserin 100 mg (Addyi; Sprout Pharmaceuticals), utilized in women with low sexual desire, to expand its use to women who have undergone menopause, according to Sprout Pharmaceuticals on July 24, 2025.

Flibanserin is the first and only pill approved by the FDA for the treatment of low sexual desire in women, highlighting a landmark in managing hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). No other FDA treatments have been approved, despite nearly 40% of women reporting low sexual desire within their lifetimes.

“Sexual desire is ageless. Access to care should be too,” said Cindy Eckert, founder and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals. “Priority Review brings us closer to expanding access and empowering more women with a science-backed, FDA-approved solution for their sexual wellness.”

Click here for the full article.

Additional research is needed to expand on placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) guidelines, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.

An agreement rate of 75% was reported across the guidelines’ epidemiology sections. Cesarean deliver (CD) was recognized as a significant risk factor of PAS in all guidelines, with additional CD further increasing risk. Notably, a referenced source highlighted an odds ratio of 1.96 for PAS in patients with a prior CD vs no CD.

The review highlighted discrepancies and evidence gaps in vital areas of PAS identification and management. Investigators concluded there is a need for context-specific recommendations made with these resource limitations in mind.

Click here for the full article.

Depression significantly worsens mothers’ ability to provide quality care across multiple parenting domains, according to a recent study published in the July issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

This provides a significant update to previously established data, which only included English-language reports published up to 2013. In the past decade, 97% of published studies reported a link between maternal depression and negative parenting practices.

“Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing effective psychological methods and interventions,” said Tiago N. Munhoz, PhD, a psychologist at Federal University of Pelotas.

Click here for the full article.

Maternal morbidity is significantly increased by legislation changes leading to universal expectant management of life-limiting fetal conditions, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.

Expectant management led to a significantly higher maternal morbidity rate vs pregnancy termination, at 72% vs 15%, respectively. Additionally, the prevalence of composite maternal morbidity significantly increased following state legislation, at 35% before vs 72% after.

This data highlighted a significant rise in maternal morbidity from expectant management of life-limiting fetal conditions because of legislation changes. The study was limited by a small sample size and the retrospective nature of data collection.

Click here for the full article.

Kephera Diagnostics has announced the introduction of EndomTest, the first commercially available non-invasive diagnostic test for endometriosis in the United States, according to the company.

The laboratory-developed test, which requires only a blood sample, is designed to serve as a rule-in tool for the disease and may offer a significant advancement in reducing diagnostic delays commonly experienced by patients.

“Endometriosis is a serious medical and gynecological condition affecting many women, of all ages,” said Michael Krychman, MD, of the University of California Irvine Medical Center. “Currently, our only diagnostic approach is laparoscopic surgery, an invasive procedure that carries inherent risks and side effects. A simple non-invasive test for endometriosis has the potential to transform patient care.”

Click here for the full article.