Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

Depo-Provera was approved in 1992 by U.S. regulators. About 1 in 4 sexually active women in the United States have used the shot at some point, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors with a female predominance. In fact, they are the most common primary brain tumor in women, with an incidence of approximately 12.76 per 100,000 in the general female population. The vast majority of these tumors are benign (World Health Organization [WHO] grade 1) while 15% to 20% of these tumors can behave atypically (WHO grade 2) and rarely, in 1% to 2% of cases, these tumors can be malignant (WHO grade 3). We covered the relationship between Depo-Provera, as a contraceptive agent, and brain meningiomas back in March 2024. With the increase in data, the ACOG released a patient centered counseling tool titled, “Counseling Patients on Birth Control Injection and Meningioma”. The most recent update on this story comes from the FDA, which has granted a medication label change to Depo-Provera (Pfizer) warning of this association. Even though association does not prove causation, the association between depo and meningiomas seems strong (with new data from the US). Does this warning extend to other progestins? Listen in for details. 1. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-chapas-obgyn-clinical-pearls/id1412385746?i=10006508795722. ACOG’s “Counseling Patients on Birth Control Injection and Meningioma” 3. https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2025/12/17/fda-pfizer-contraception-cancer-preemption-depoprovera/4. Xiao T, Kumar P, Lobbous M, et al. Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Risk of Meningioma in the US. JAMA Neurology. 2025;82(11):1094-1102. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.3011.5. de Dios E, Näslund O, Choudhry M, et al.Prevalence and Symptoms of Incidental Meningiomas: A Population-Based Study.Acta Neurochirurgica. 2025;167(1):98. doi:10.1007/s00701-025-06506-7.6. Schaff LR, Mellinghoff IK.Glioblastoma and Other Primary Brain Malignancies in Adults: A Review. JAMA. 2023;329(7):574-587. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.0023.7. BMJ 2024; 384 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-078078 (Published 27 March 2024) Cite this as: BMJ 2024;384:e078078

The second stage of labor, characterized by active pushing and the descent of the fetal head, can be a challenging and prolonged phase for both mother and baby. Various interventions have been explored to optimize this stage, and one such technique involves the application of vaginal lubricants. The rationale behind this approach is to reduce friction between the fetal head and the birth canal, potentially leading to smoother and faster delivery. Does this seemingly simple technique work? Does the ACOG mention this in the CPG 8 from January 2024? What does the latest research tell us about its effectiveness in assisting or speeding up the birthing process? Listen in for details.1. Yang Q, Cao X, Hu S, Sun M, Lai H, Hou L, Wang Q, Wu C, Wu Y, Xiao L, Luo X, Tian J, Ge L, Shi L. Lubricant for reducing perineal trauma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2022 Nov;48(11):2807-2820. doi: 10.1111/jog.15399. Epub 2022 Aug 16. PMID: 36319196.2. ACOG: First and Second Stage Labor Management Clinical Practice Guideline Number 8: January 20243. Aquino CI, Saccone G, Troisi J, Zullo F, Guida M, Berghella V. Use of lubricant gel to shorten the second stage of labor during vaginal delivery. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2019 Dec;32(24):4166-4173. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1482271. Epub 2018 Jun 27. PMID: 29804505.4. Beckmann MM, Stock OM. Antenatal Perineal Massage for Reducing Perineal Trauma. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;(4):CD005123. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005123.pub3.

Within the last few days, there has been breaking news regarding the war on gonorrhea. Nuzolvence (zoliflodacin) was FDA approved on December 13, 2025, and Blujepa (gepotidacin) was FDA approved on December 11, 2025.These new oral treatments are particularly important given the global rise in gonococcal drug resistance and the convenience they offer over injectable options, potentially improving patient adherence and public health outcomes. Listen in for details. ​ FDA News Release. FDA Approves Two Oral Therapies to Treat Gonorrhea. fda.gov​ Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics. U.S. FDA Approves NUZOLVENCE® (zoliflodacin), a First-in-Class, Single-Dose Oral Antibiotic, for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Urogenital Gonorrhea in Adults and Adolescents. innovivaspecialtytherapeutics.com​ CNN. New gonorrhea treatments approved by FDA for first time in decades. ​ The New York Times. F.D.A. Approves Two New Drugs to Treat Gonorrhea. ​ STAT. FDA approves zoliflodacin, a gonorrhea pill marketed as Nuzolvence. ​ Fierce Pharma. FDA endorses another gonorrhea treatment, blessing Innoviva’s Nuzolvence. https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/CHAPANOSPINOBG

It’s so interesting to see how medical evidence evolves, and changes, over time. The result of course is that clinical practice evolves and changes as well. The story of umbilical cord management at time of delivery highlights this very issue very well. The ACOG first recommended delayed cord clamping (DCC) in 2012, for preterm infants, as data showed marked improvement in neonatal outcomes in that population. In this episode, we will briefly walk through the timeline from 2012 to the latest update on DCC which came from the AAP in October 2025, just one month after the ACOG had their DCC update. This story also exemplifies how professional medical societies don’t always have the SAME recommendations, with small tweaks, in their guidance. So, Dr Chapa and I will summarize these key updates…Listen in for details!1. ACOG 2012: DCC for preterm infants only 2. ACOG 2016: ACOG Recommends Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping for All Healthy Infants, including term: https://mdedge.com/obgynnews/article/121349/obstetrics/acog-supports-delayed-umbilical-cord-clamping-term-infants3. ACOG Dec 2020, CO 814: Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping After Birth4. ACOG Obstet Gynecol. January 2022; 139(1): 121–137. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004625. Management of Placental Transfusion to Neonates After Delivery5. ACOG (ePUB July ) Sept 2025: ACOG releases a Clinical Practice Update: An Update to Clinical Guidance for Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping After Birth in Preterm Neonates6. AHA/AAP Oct 2025 Update: Neonatal Resuscitation: 2025 American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care

Podcast Family, we have covered PCOS on this show many times in the past; and yet- again, there is new information! A new publication from AJOG (Gray journal) describes a new meta-analysis on preconception/continued metformin use in the first trimester. Is this helpful? How does this contrast with the 2023 international guidance update on PCOS? Listen in for details. 1. ASRM: Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (2023)2. Cheshire J, Garg A, Smith P, Devall AJ, Coomarasamy A, Dhillon-Smith RK. Preconception and first-trimester metformin on pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2025 Dec;233(6):530-547.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2025.05.038. Epub 2025 Jun 3. PMID: 40473092.3. Løvvik TS, Carlsen SM, Salvesen Ø, et al. Use of Metformin to Treat Pregnant Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PregMet2): A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2019;7(4):256-266. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(19)30002-6.4. Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven J, et al. Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Fertility and Sterility. 2023;120(4):767-793. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.07.025.