Mohannad A. Awad

Correlation between pubic hair grooming and STIs: results from a nationally representative probability sample

Objective STIs are the most common infections among adults. Concurrently, pubic hair grooming is prevalent. Small-scale studies have demonstrated a relationship between pubic hair grooming and STIs. We aim to examine this relationship in a large sample of men and women. Design We conducted a probability survey of US residents aged 18–65 years. The survey ascertained self-reported pubic hair grooming practices, sexual behaviours and STI history. We defined extreme grooming as removal of all pubic hair more than 11 times per year and high-frequency grooming as daily/weekly trimming. Cutaneous STIs included herpes, human papillomavirus, syphilis and molluscum. Secretory STIs included gonorrhoea, chlamydia and HIV. We analysed lice separately. Results Of 7580 respondents who completed the survey, 74% reported grooming their pubic hair, 66% of men and 84% of women. After adjusting for age and lifetime sexual partners, ever having groomed was positively associated with a history of self-reported STIs (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.2), including cutaneous STIs (OR 2.6; CI 1.8 to 3.7), secretory STIs (OR 1.7; CI 1.3 to 2.2) and lice (OR 1.9; CI 1.3 to 2.9). These positive associations were stronger for extreme groomers (OR 4.4; CI 2.9 to 6.8) and high-frequency groomers (OR 3.5; CI 2.3 to 5.4) with cutaneous STIs, and for non-extreme groomers (OR 2.0; CI 1.3 to 3.0) and low-frequency groomers (OR 2.0; CI 1.3 to 3.1) with lice. Conclusions Among a representative sample of US residents, pubic hair grooming was positively related to self-reported STI history. Further research is warranted to gain insight into STI risk-reduction strategies.

Pubic Hair Grooming Prevalence and Motivation Among Women in the United States

Importance Pubic hair grooming is an increasingly prevalent trend. Several studies have sought to characterize its prevalence, associated demographics, and motivations. Objective To characterize current pubic hair grooming practices in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, a nationally representative survey was conducted in January 2013 of noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 to 65 years residing in the United States via the GfK Group (formerly Knowledge Networks) panel members. Data analysis was performed from November to December 2015. Interventions A questionnaire examining pubic hair grooming habits. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographic characteristics and motivations associated with pubic hair grooming. Results A total of 3372 women were surveyed. Fifty-six women did not answer the grooming question; consequently, 3316 women were included in the analysis. Of these women, 2778 (83.8%) reported pubic hair grooming and 538 (16.2%) reported never grooming. On multivariate regression, several factors associated with grooming were found. When compared with younger women (aged 18-24 years), women aged 45 through 55 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.49; P = .01) and those older than 55 years (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.00-0.34; P = .003) were significantly less likely to groom. Women with some college (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.65-6.84; P = .001) or a bachelors degree (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.17-4.88; P = .02) were more likely to have groomed. Race was also significantly associated with grooming, with all groups reporting less grooming when compared with white women. No association was found between grooming and income, relationship status, or geographic location. Conclusions and Relevance This study provides a nationally representative assessment of contemporary female pubic hair grooming habits. Demographic differences in grooming were found, which may reflect cultural variations in preference related to pubic hair. Health care professionals and those who provide grooming services can use this information to better counsel patients and understand grooming practices.

Cycling, and Male Sexual and Urinary Function: Results from a Large, Multinational, Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose We explored the relation of cycling to urinary and sexual function in a large multinational sample of men. Materials and Methods Cyclists were recruited to complete a survey through Facebook® advertisements and outreach to sporting clubs. Swimmers and runners were recruited as a comparison group. Cyclists were categorized into low and high intensity cyclists. Participants were queried using validated questionnaires, including SHIM (Sexual Health Inventory for Men), I‐PSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) and NIH‐CPSI (National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index), in addition to questions about urinary tract infections, urethral stricture, genital numbness and saddle sores. Results Of 5,488 complete survey responses 3,932 (72%) were included in our analysis. On multivariate analysis swimmers/runners had a lower mean SHIM score than low and high intensity cyclists (19.5 vs 19.9 and 20.7, p = 0.02 and <0.001, respectively). No significant differences were found in I‐PSS or NIH‐CPSI scores, or urinary tract infection history. Cyclists had statistically higher odds of urethral stricture compared to swimmers/runners (OR 2.5, p = 0.042). Standing more than 20% of the time while cycling significantly reduced the odds of genital numbness (OR 0.4, p = 0.006). Adjusting the handlebar higher or even with the saddle had lower odds of genital numbness and saddle sores (OR 0.8, p = 0.005 and 0.6, p <0.001, respectively). Conclusions Cyclists had no worse sexual or urinary functions than swimmers or runners but cyclists were more prone to urethral stricture. Increased time standing while cycling and a higher handlebar height were associated with lower odds of genital sores and numbness.

The Near-future Impact of Retirement on the Urologic Workforce: Results From the American Urological Association Census

OBJECTIVE To assess self-perceived planned retirement patterns among urologists by using the American Urological Association Census Data. With an expanding elderly population and an aging urologic workforce, concerns regarding increased demand and decreased supply of urologists have been raised. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed data from the 2014 American Urological Association Census, which is a specialty representative survey distributed to the urologists who practice in the United States. A total of 2204 census samples were weighted to represent 11,703 urologists who practiced in the United States in 2014. We compared urologists who are nearing retirement (within 5 years of their planned retirement) with the rest of urologists on their demographic, geographic, and practice characteristics. RESULTS Of the 11,703 practicing urologists in the United States, 3181 (95% confidence interval: 2884-3479) or 27% (95% confidence interval: 25%-30%) are nearing planned retirement. The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) of urologists nearing retirement (69, SD = 8.2) was older than nonretiring urologists (48, SD = 10.3), P < .01. Nearly double the proportion of nearing retirement urologists is found in nonmetropolitan compared to nonretiring urologists, 534 (17%) vs 782 (9%), P < .01, respectively. Urologists nearing retirement are more likely to practice general urology compared to nonretiring urologists, 2341 (74%) vs 5072 (60%), P < .01. Among urologists nearing retirement, 2155 (68%) of them still perform inpatient operations. CONCLUSION More than one-fourth of existing practicing urologists plan to retire in the next 5 years. General urology and urology practices outside of metropolitan areas will be impacted the most by the planned retiring workforce.

Urethral catheters and medical malpractice: a legal database review from 1965 to 2015

Background Urethral catheters (UCs) are commonly used in medicine and are associated with complications such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and trauma. Given UC complications and their ubiquitous usage in healthcare, there is a potential for liability risk. We aim to explore litigation involving UC-related complications. Methods The LexisNexis legal database was queried for all state and federal cases from January 1965 through October 2015 using the terms “urethral catheter” or “Foley catheter” in combination with “medical malpractice”, “negligence”, “medical error”, and “trauma”. Each case was reviewed for reported medical characteristics and legal aspects, including the outcome of the case. Results Our search yielded 29 cases. Urologists were the most common providers cited as defendants (21%), all of whom were successful in their defense. The most common malpractice claim was for traumatic insertion (48%). Pain was the most common type of damage claimed by plaintiffs (28%), followed by UTI (24%). Nineteen (66%) cases favored defendants, while 10 (34%) cases favored the plaintiffs, of which 2 (7%) were settled out of the court. In settled cases, the mean settlement received by plaintiffs was

Guidelines of guidelines: a review of urethral stricture evaluation, management, and follow-up

55,750 (range,

Postoperative Complications following Primary Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty among 330 Male-to-Female Transgender Patients

25,000–

Missed Opportunities to Decrease Radiation Exposure in Children with Renal Trauma

86,500). The mean award to plaintiffs for cases determined by the court was

Management of Pediatric Grade IV Renal Trauma

112,991 (range,

Surgical Intervention for Penile Methamphetamine Injections

4,000–