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Clinical Challenges in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Interactions Between Gynecological and Obstetric Disorders, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in Women

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A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Obstetrics & Gynecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 3331

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ernesto González-Mesa

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Guest Editor

1. Obstetrics and Gynecology Area, Surgical Specialities, Biochemistry and Immunology Department, School of Medicine, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
2. Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Epigenetics, Women’s Diseases and Reproductive Health Research Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga and Nanomedicine Platform-IBIMA BIONAND Platform, Malaga, Spain
3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional University Hospital of Malaga, 29001 Malaga, Spain
Interests: women’s health; perinatology; quality assessment; maternal mortality; perinatal mortality; perinatal mental health; aesthetic, functional, and regenerative gynecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Daniel María Lubián López

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Guest Editor

1. Obstetric and Gynecology Department, Cádiz University, Cádiz, Spain
2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Viamed Bahía de Cádiz Hospital, 11130 Cádiz, Spain
Interests: psychosomatic obstetrics and gynecology; menopause; gynecological oncology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the Journal of Clinical Medicine focuses on the complex interactions between gynecological and obstetric disorders, and their profound impact on the quality of life and mental health in women. Despite advancements in clinical care, significant challenges remain in understanding and managing the bidirectional relationship between physical health and psychological well-being in these patients. This Special Issue aims to address core problems such as the lack of comprehensive research on how these disorders influence mental health, and vice versa, as well as the implications for patient care.

The scope of this Special Issue includes original research, reviews, and clinical studies that explore the multifaceted effects of gynecological and obstetric conditions on women’s mental health. Contributions that investigate innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and patient support are particularly encouraged, either in obstetrics, regarding perinatal mental health, or in gynecology, including sexual disorders. Through this Special Issue, we seek to mobilize the scientific community to enhance our understanding of these critical interactions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Prof. Dr. Ernesto González-Mesa
Prof. Dr. Daniel María Lubián López
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

perinatal mental health
gynecological disorders
sexual disorders
women’s quality of life
obstetric complications
women’s health
women’s psychological well-being

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 858 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disease Acceptance and Stress as Factors Explaining Preoperative Anxiety and the Need for Information in Patients Undergoing Operative Minihysteroscopy

by Karolina Chmaj-Wierzchowska, Aleksandra Jasielska, Katarzyna Wszołek, Agnieszka Lach, Izabela Stankowska-Mazur, Katarzyna Tomczyk, Adrian Mruczyński, Martyna Niegłos, Aleksandra Wilczyńska, Kinga Bednarek, Marcin Wierzchowski and Maciej Wilczak

J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(11), 3659; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14113659 - 23 May 2025

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of disease acceptance and stress intensity in explaining anxiety levels and the need for information among patients undergoing a minihysteroscopy procedure under local anesthesia, in the period preceding operative hysteroscopy. Methods: The study included 116 patients who were admitted to the Center for Hysteroscopy under Local Anesthesia at the Heliodor Święcicki Gynecological and Obstetrical Clinical Hospital of Karol Marcinkowski Medical University in Poznań, Poland, from December 2024 to January 2025, for operative hysteroscopy using the GUBBINI Mini Hystero-Resectoscope under local anesthesia (paracervical block with lignocaine). Results: A low level of preoperative anxiety (χ² = 19.9; p < 0.001) and a moderate need for information about the procedure (χ² = 31.8; p < 0.001) were statistically significant among the majority of patients (n = 82; 71% vs. n = 67; 58%) in the study group before undergoing minihysteroscopy under local anesthesia. Conclusions: Stress and anxiety are inherent aspects of surgical intervention and hospitalization. Therefore, it is reasonable to develop preoperative support standards to help reduce stress levels, which, in turn, can lead to better adaptation to surgical intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Challenges in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Interactions Between Gynecological and Obstetric Disorders, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in Women)

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16 pages, 249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Stress on Women’s Sexuality in the First Months After Childbirth—A Pilot Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

by Kornelia Zaręba, Maria Florkiewicz-Danel, Michał Ciebiera, Stanisław Wójtowicz, Yauhen Statsenko, Sara Maki, Jolanta Olszewska, Shamsa Al Awar and Grzegorz Jakiel

J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(3), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14030847 - 27 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Background: The postpartum period can carry strong stress related to the sudden changes in a woman’s life, which may contribute to changes in the female sexual sphere. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of stress on women’s sexuality in the early motherhood period. Methods: A total of 111 women were studied, including 65 in the puerperal period and 46 women who constituted the control group. We used the author’s questionnaire and five standardized psychological questionnaires (CISS-21,STAI, PSS-10, SSS-W, and the Mell–Krat Scale for women). Results: Perceived stress (PSS-10 scores) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) and sexual satisfaction (SSS-W scores) was significantly higher both regarding the summary scores (p < 0.001) and in all subscales (contentment, communication, and compatibility). In the study group, the intensity of stress was negatively correlated with the level of sexual satisfaction (p = 0.014). Women with an emotional way of coping with stress (CISS-21 inventory) in both groups achieved higher scores of sexual satisfaction in terms of communication, but a lower level in terms of interpersonal contact (p = 0.007), but higher stress intensity scores in the PSS-10 scale and in both STAI questionnaire stems. Conclusions: The early period of motherhood does not increase stress levels or decrease sexual satisfaction. It is likely that the sense of stability promotes a reduction in stress levels, which contributes to better sexual satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Challenges in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Interactions Between Gynecological and Obstetric Disorders, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in Women)

17 pages, 1281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Maternal Challenges: A Pilot Study of Pain, Fatigue, and Anxiety in Newborn Care Within Rooming-in Settings

by Prokopowicz Anna, Tułacz Kinga, Jabłońska Anna, Bagłaj Maciej and Rozensztrauch Anna

J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(1), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14010207 - 2 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Background: In the rooming-in system, mothers and their healthy newborns stay together for 24 h a day; however, many women in the early postpartum period often find it challenging to balance their recovery from childbirth with the demands of caring for their newborns. This study aims to investigate the need for postpartum women to entrust their newborns to medical staff for care, and the relationship of this need with perceived pain, fatigue, and anxiety. Methods: The study uses the Need to Entrust a Newborn under the Care of the Staff (NEN) scale and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) to assess participants’ levels of pain, fatigue and anxiety. These scales were chosen to provide a comprehensive assessment of participants’ needs and experiences. Results: The results of the study reveal that fatigue levels among study participants were significantly high, with an Me of 7.0 (IQR = 4.0), exceeding the reportable levels of both pain (Me = 6.0, IQR = 5.0) and anxiety (Me = 5.0, IQR = 6.0) The need for support during the day and at night was at a similar level and strongly correlated (rho = 0.723; p < 0.001). Pain levels showed a significant positive correlation with the need to entrust the newborn both during the day (rho = 0.296; p < 0.001) and at night (rho = 0.332; p < 0.001). During the daytime, the correlation of fatigue with the need for staff support was rho = 0.423 (p < 0.001), while overnight, this increased to rho = 0.485 (p < 0.001). Anxiety significantly correlated with the need for staff support, both during daytime (rho = 0.422; p < 0.001) and overnight (rho = 0.431; p < 0.001). Multiparas reported significantly lower results of anxiety (U(Z) = −13.224, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The need to entrust newborns to the care of maternity rooming-in staff is strong but is often unmet in many facilities. Further research should be conducted to explore solutions, and plan future actions to alleviate the burdens on postpartum women and facilitate their recovery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Challenges in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Interactions Between Gynecological and Obstetric Disorders, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in Women)

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11 pages, 243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlates of Premenstrual Syndrome in Polish Adolescents—Results from POLKA 18 Youth-Led Cross-Sectional Study

by Katarzyna Rylewicz, Michalina Anna Drejza, Grzegorz Łopiński, Ewa Majcherek, Joanna Barwińska, Małgorzata Mizgier, Katarzyna Plagens-Rotman, Magdalena Pisarska-Krawczyk, Witold Kędzia and Grażyna Jarząbek-Bielecka

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(23), 7342; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13237342 - 2 Dec 2024

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Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among Polish adolescents and explore its associations with mental health outcomes, lifestyle factors, and risk behaviours. Additionally, it seeks to examine the impact of PMS on quality of life, contributing to the foundation for initiatives that enhance adolescent menstrual health. Methods: This research is part of the POLKA 18 study, a youth-led cross-sectional survey conducted between April and December 2019. Final-year high school students were surveyed using paper-based, self-reported questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using the R programming language in RStudio, with a significance threshold of p-value < 0.05. Results: A total of 1545 valid responses were analysed. PMS was reported by 33.9% of respondents, with over 80% experiencing premenstrual symptoms. Adolescents with negative mental health outcomes, such as self-harm or suicidal ideation, were significantly more likely to report PMS (p ≤ 0.001). PMS was also strongly associated with anxiety and panic attacks (p < 0.001). Risk behaviours, including smoking (p = 0.006), illicit substance use (p < 0.01), and increased alcohol consumption in the past 30 days (p < 0.001), were more prevalent among adolescents with PMS. Furthermore, respondents with PMS reported poorer school performance (p = 0.002), higher stress levels (p < 0.001), and a more negative perception of their overall health (p < 0.001) compared to peers without PMS. Conclusions: PMS is significantly associated with mental health issues, engagement in risky behaviours, higher stress, and diminished self-perceived health and academic performance. These findings highlight the need for further research and the development of targeted interventions to improve adolescent menstrual health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Challenges in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Interactions Between Gynecological and Obstetric Disorders, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in Women)

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