February 2026
ESCUDDO trial finds single-dose HPV vaccination noninferior to two doses
The issue: Current guidelines recommend two doses of Gardasil 9 for adolescents; whether one dose provides comparable protection has been uncertain.
Why this matters: The ESCUDDO trial randomized girls 12 to 16 years to one or two doses of bivalent (Cervarix) or nonavalent (Gardasil 9) HPV vaccine; one dose was noninferior to two doses for preventing HPV16 or HPV18 infection.
Primary care relevance: Supports WHO single-dose recommendation; study has limitations including 5-year follow-up and nonrandomized control group requiring propensity matching.
February 2026
Self-collection is convenient and time-saving for many women, but only one option exists for home collection
The issue: Cervical cancer screening has traditionally required an in-person visit and pelvic exam; that barrier contributes to underscreening, especially among people who lack access to gynecologic care or have difficulty scheduling visits.
Primary care relevance: Provides guidance on self-collected swabs for cervical cancer screening.
December 2025
Lynkuet joins Veozah as a nonhormonal option for vasomotor symptoms
The issue: Many women seek nonhormonal alternatives for menopausal hot flashes due to concerns about hormone replacement therapy.
Primary care relevance: Women now have two nonhormonal options for treating menopausal hot flashes, though both medications are more expensive than HRT and often require prior authorization.
March 2025
Combined oral and topical therapy in male partners significantly reduces BV recurrence in females
The issue: Bacterial vaginosis recurrence is common; the role of partner treatment has been debated.
Why this study matters: Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of treating male partners of women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
Primary care relevance: Provides evidence on the benefits of treating male partners of women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
February 2025
Study demonstrates effectiveness in reducing fracture risk in postmenopausal women aged 50–60
The issue: Early postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis need evidence on when and how to use bisphosphonates.
Why this study matters: This study demonstrated that zoledronate effectively reduced fracture risk in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60.
Primary care relevance: Provides evidence on the benefits of zoledronate for fracture prevention in early postmenopausal women at risk.
