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Clinical & Translational Oncology :... Jul 2023Female infertility is a significant health issue worldwide with a rising incidence. Anti-cancer therapy is one of the most important reasons for increasing infertility.... (Review)
Review
Female infertility is a significant health issue worldwide with a rising incidence. Anti-cancer therapy is one of the most important reasons for increasing infertility. Although anti-cancer treatment increases the rate of survival, it decreases the quality of life through its side effects. The most substantial side effects are sexual dysfunction and infertility. Breast cancer is the most common cancer. The first-line treatment of breast cancer is chemotherapy by alkylating agents like cyclophosphamide, which leads to infertility. For instance, persistent chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea among breast cancer patients could affect almost half of the patients that undergo such therapy. However, some agents or therapeutic methods can ameliorate these intoxicating effects. Chemotherapy plus gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, in breast cancer patients, can not only improve overall survival but also reduce ovarian toxicity. Age plays an essential role in chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea. Chemotherapy at a younger age can reduce the risk of infertility. Gynecological cancers including uterine and ovarian cancer, which have high mortality rates, are the most related cancers to infertility. Surgery is the primary treatment of gynecological cancers. Studies demonstrated that fertility-sparing surgery is a better option than radical surgery. In addition, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is mostly a better option than primary cytoreductive surgery in terms of survival and fertility. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently played a major role in treating various cancer types. However, ICIs are associated with hypophysitis, which affects ovaries and can lead to infertility. There are some options for ovarian preservation such as embryo cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation, ovarian transposition, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and ovarian suppression by GnRH agonists. Anti-müllerian hormone level can be utilized to monitor the ovarian reserve. Moreover, to avoid fertility loss, approaches such as using transplantation of human placenta mesenchymal stem cells, administrating anti-inflammatory agents and hormone therapy are under investigation.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Infertility, Female; Antineoplastic Agents; Amenorrhea; Quality of Life; Breast Neoplasms; Fertility Preservation
PubMed: 36689055
DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03087-8 -
European Journal of Pediatrics Jan 2024Cardiac complications are a major concern in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) which contribute to morbidity and mortality. However, limited information exists... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Cardiac complications are a major concern in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) which contribute to morbidity and mortality. However, limited information exists regarding risk factors for the development of these complications. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of cardiac involvement among children and adolescents with AN admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from individuals with AN hospitalized between 2011 and 2020 in Schneider Children's Medical Center in Israel. Diagnosis was based on established criteria (DSM-5). Patients with other co-morbidities were excluded. Cardiac investigations included electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms. We conducted correlation tests between cardiac findings and clinical and laboratory indicators. A total of 403 AN patients (81.4% were females) with a median age of 15 ± 2 years were included in the study. Sinus bradycardia was the most common abnormality, observed in 155 (38%) participants. Echocardiogram was performed in 170 (42.2%) patients, of whom 37 (22%) demonstrated mild cardiac aberrations. Among those aberrations, 94.6% could be attributed to the current metabolic state, including pericardial effusion (15.3%) and valve dysfunction (8.8%). Systolic or diastolic cardiac dysfunction, tachyarrhythmias, or conduction disorders were not observed. Patients with new echocardiographic aberration had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) at admission, and the prevalence of amenorrhea and hypotension was higher in this group.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of cardiac involvement, except for sinus bradycardia, was notably low in our cohort. The presence of cardiac aberrations is correlated with several clinical variables: lower body mass index (BMI) and the presence of amenorrhea and hypotension at admission. Patients presenting with these variables may be at high risk for cardiac findings per echocardiography. Dividing the patients into high and low risk groups may enable targeted evaluation, while avoiding unnecessary cardiac investigations in low-risk patients.
WHAT IS KNOWN
• Cardiac involvement in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients is a major concern, which contributes to morbidity and mortality. • It is unknown which patients are prone to develop this complication.
WHAT IS NEW
• Cardiac complications in our cohort are less frequent compared to previous studies, and it is correlated with lower body mass index (BMI) at admission, and the prevalence of amenorrhea and hypotension.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Child; Male; Anorexia Nervosa; Bradycardia; Amenorrhea; Clinical Relevance; Body Mass Index; Heart Diseases; Hypotension
PubMed: 37934282
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05305-5 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2022Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a clinical syndrome resulting from loss of ovarian function before the age of 40. It is a state of hypergonadotropic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a clinical syndrome resulting from loss of ovarian function before the age of 40. It is a state of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, characterised by amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea, with low ovarian sex hormones (oestrogen deficiency) and elevated pituitary gonadotrophins. POI with primary amenorrhoea may occur as a result of chromosomal and genetic abnormalities, such as Turner syndrome, Fragile X, or autosomal gene defects; secondary amenorrhoea may be iatrogenic after the surgical removal of the ovaries, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Other causes include autoimmune diseases, viral infections, and environmental factors; in most cases, POI is idiopathic. Appropriate replacement of sex hormones in women with POI may facilitate the achievement of near normal uterine development. However, the optimal effective hormone therapy (HT) regimen to maximise the reproductive potential for women with POI remains unclear.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the effectiveness and safety of different hormonal regimens on uterine and endometrial development in women with POI.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility (CGF) Group trials register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and two trials registers in September 2021. We also checked references of included studies, and contacted study authors to identify additional studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of various hormonal preparations on the uterine development of women diagnosed with POI.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane. The primary review outcome was uterine volume; secondary outcomes were endometrial thickness, endometrial histology, uterine perfusion, reproductive outcomes, and any reported adverse events.
MAIN RESULTS
We included three studies (52 participants analysed in total) investigating the role of various hormonal preparations in three different contexts, which deemed meta-analysis unfeasible. We found very low-certainty evidence; the main limitation was very serious imprecision due to small sample size. Conjugated oral oestrogens versus transdermal 17ß-oestradiol We are uncertain of the effect of conjugated oral oestrogens compared to transdermal 17ß-oestradiol (mean difference (MD) -18.2 (mL), 95% confidence interval (CI) -23.18 to -13.22; 1 RCT, N = 12; very low-certainty evidence) on uterine volume, measured after 12 months of treatment. The study reported no other relevant outcomes (including adverse events). Low versus high 17ß-oestradiol dose We are uncertain of the effect of a lower dose of 17ß-oestradiol compared to a higher dose of 17ß-oestradiol on uterine volume after three or five years of treatment, or adverse events (1 RCT, N = 20; very low-certainty evidence). The study reported no other relevant outcomes. Oral versus vaginal administration of oestradiol and dydrogesterone We are uncertain of the effect of an oral or vaginal administration route on uterine volume and endometrial thickness after 14 or 21 days of administration (1 RCT, N = 20; very low-certainty evidence). The study reported no other relevant outcomes (including adverse events).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
No clear conclusions can be drawn in this systematic review, due to the very low-certainty of the evidence. There is a need for pragmatic, well designed, randomised controlled trials, with adequate power to detect differences between various HT regimens on uterine growth, endometrial development, and pregnancy outcomes following the transfer of donated gametes or embryos in women diagnosed with POI.
Topics: Amenorrhea; Dydrogesterone; Endometrium; Estradiol; Estrogens; Female; Humans; Menopause, Premature; Pregnancy
PubMed: 36200708
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008209.pub2 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Apr 2016Early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common cause of infertility in women and affects about one per cent of young women. This disorder has... (Review)
Review
Early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common cause of infertility in women and affects about one per cent of young women. This disorder has significant psychological sequelae and major health implications. Its relevance has increased in recent years due to the fact that age of motherhood is being delayed in developed countries, with the risk of having either primary ovarian insufficiency or less possibilities of pregnancy. The main characteristics are absence of ovulation, amenorrhoea and high levels of serum gonadotropins (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism). Although the aetiology remains uncertain in most cases, several rare specific causes have been elucidated. Potential causes for POI are iatrogenic (ovarian surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy), environmental factors, viral infections, metabolic and autoimmune diseases, and genetic alterations. Because of the association with other autoimmune diseases, close follow up is recommended in patients with POI. The traditional indicators to evaluate ovarian ageing are age, serum hormonal levels, anti-Mullerian hormone, antral follicle count, and ultrasonography of ovaries. Hormone replacement therapy remains the mainstay of treatment, and the best chance of achieving a pregnancy is through oocyte donation. This article aims to present an overview of potential causes, clinical manifestations, and treatment options of POI.
Topics: Adult; Amenorrhea; Female; Gonadotropins; Humans; Infertility, Female; Menopause, Premature; Ovulation; Pregnancy; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Women's Health
PubMed: 27377497
DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.184283 -
Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland :... 2023The aim: To investigate the peculiarities of menstrual cycle disorders in teenagers against the background of excessive stress in order to develop a scientifically based...
OBJECTIVE
The aim: To investigate the peculiarities of menstrual cycle disorders in teenagers against the background of excessive stress in order to develop a scientifically based set of measures for their correction.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Materials and methods: 120 girls aged 9-18 who were in the war zone or became forced migrants were examined. Examination methods included anamnesis collection, assessment of psycho-emotional state, anthropometry, laboratory and instrumental studies.
RESULTS
Results: It was found that the frequency of menstrual cycle disorders in the subjects was 65.8% (n = 79). Among menstrual cycle disorders: dysmenorrhea - 45.6% (n = 36), excessive menstruation - 27.8% (n = 22), secondary amenorrhea - 26.6% (n = 21). 71.7% (n = 86) of the examinees noted a change in eating behavior over the past few months. Almost half of these children had dyshormonal disorders or met the criteria of metabolic syndrome - 45.3% (n = 39).
CONCLUSION
Conclusion: Timely detection and adequate correction of psycho-emotional and metabolic disorders in adolescent girls in stressful conditions contributes to the prevention of disorders of menstrual and reproductive function.
Topics: Female; Child; Adolescent; Humans; Menarche; Menstruation Disturbances; Menstruation; Dysmenorrhea; Amenorrhea
PubMed: 37326080
DOI: 10.36740/WLek202305115 -
Fertility and Sterility Jul 2024The purpose of this American Society for Reproductive Medicine Practice Committee Opinion is to provide clinicians with principles and strategies for the diagnostic... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this American Society for Reproductive Medicine Practice Committee Opinion is to provide clinicians with principles and strategies for the diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting with primary or secondary amenorrhea. This revised document replaces the Practice Committee Document titled "Current evaluation of amenorrhea," last published in 2008 (Fertil Steril 2008;90:S219-25).
Topics: Humans; Female; Amenorrhea; Reproductive Medicine
PubMed: 38456861
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.02.001 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Apr 2023To describe and compare the outcomes of various menstrual-management methods, including method choice, continuation, bleeding patterns, amenorrhea rates, effect on moods...
OBJECTIVE
To describe and compare the outcomes of various menstrual-management methods, including method choice, continuation, bleeding patterns, amenorrhea rates, effect on moods and dysphoria, and side effects, in transgender and gender-diverse adolescents.
METHODS
This was a retrospective chart review of all patients seen in a multidisciplinary pediatric gender program from March 2015 to December 2020 who were assigned female at birth, had achieved menarche, and used a menstrual-management method during the study period. Data were abstracted on patient demographics and menstrual-management method continuation, bleeding patterns, side effects, and satisfaction at 3 months (T1) and 1 year (T2). Outcomes were compared between method subgroups.
RESULTS
Among the 101 included patients, 90% chose either oral norethindrone acetate or a 52-mg levonorgestrel (LNG) intrauterine device (IUD). There were no differences in continuation rates for these methods at either follow-up time. Almost all patients had improved bleeding at T2 (96% for norethindrone acetate and 100% for IUD users), with no difference between subgroups. Amenorrhea rates were 84% for norethindrone acetate and 67% for IUD at T1 and 97% and 89%, respectively, at T2, with no differences at either point. The majority of patients had improved pain, menstrually related moods, and menstrually related dysphoria at both follow-up points. There were no differences in side effects between subgroups. There were no differences in method satisfaction between the groups at T2.
CONCLUSION
Most patients chose norethindrone acetate or an LNG IUD for menstrual management. Continuation, amenorrhea, and improved bleeding, pain, and menstrually related moods and dysphoria were high for all patients, indicating that menstrual management is a viable intervention for gender-diverse patients who experience increased dysphoria related to menses.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Adolescent; Child; Amenorrhea; Transgender Persons; Retrospective Studies; Norethindrone Acetate; Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; Levonorgestrel; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Hemorrhage; Pain
PubMed: 36897186
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005123 -
Australian Journal of General Practice 2023Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is the loss of ovarian function before the age of 40 years and can be spontaneous or iatrogenic. It is an important cause of...
BACKGROUND
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is the loss of ovarian function before the age of 40 years and can be spontaneous or iatrogenic. It is an important cause of infertility, and the diagnosis should be considered in any woman presenting with oligo/amenorrhoea, even in the absence of menopausal symptoms suchas hot flushes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the diagnosis of POI and its management with respect to infertility.
DISCUSSION
Diagnostic criteria for POI are follicle-stimulating hormone levels >25 IU/L on two occasions at least one month apart following 4-6 months of oligo/amenorrhoea, with exclusion of secondary causes of amenorrhoea. Approximately 5% of women will have a spontaneous pregnancy after a POI diagnosis; however, most women with POI will require a donor oocyte/embryo for pregnancy. Some women may elect to adopt or live childfree. Fertility preservation should be considered for those at risk of POI.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Amenorrhea; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Infertility
PubMed: 36796766
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-08-22-6531 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jul 2021The contraceptive effect of breastfeeding remains essential to controlling fertility in many developing regions of the world. The extent to which this negative effect of...
The contraceptive effect of breastfeeding remains essential to controlling fertility in many developing regions of the world. The extent to which this negative effect of breastfeeding on ovarian activity is sensitive to ecological conditions, notably maternal energetic status, has remained controversial. We assess the relationship between breastfeeding duration and postpartum amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation following a birth) in 17 World Fertility Surveys and 284 Demographic Health Surveys conducted between 1975 and 2019 in 84 low- and middle-income countries. We then analyze the resumption of menses in women during unsupplemented lactation. We find that a sharp weakening of the breastfeeding-postpartum amenorrhea relationship has globally occurred over the time period analyzed. The slope of the breastfeeding-postpartum amenorrhea relationship is negatively associated with development: higher values of the Human Development Index, urbanization, access to electricity, easier access to water, and education are predictive of a weaker association between breastfeeding and postpartum amenorrhea. Low parity also predicts shorter postpartum amenorrhea. The association between exclusive breastfeeding and maintenance of amenorrhea in the early postpartum period is also found in rapid decline in Asia and in moderate decline in sub-Saharan Africa. These findings indicate that the effect of breastfeeding on ovarian function is partly mediated by external factors that likely include negative maternal energy balance and support the notion that prolonged breastfeeding significantly helps control fertility only under harsh environmental conditions.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Africa South of the Sahara; Amenorrhea; Asia; Breast Feeding; Contraception; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 34253613
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025348118 -
Endokrynologia Polska 2015Functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA) is associated with functional inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Causes of FHA can be classified into the... (Review)
Review
Functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA) is associated with functional inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Causes of FHA can be classified into the three groups: 1) stress-related factors, 2) consequences of weight loss and/or underweight, and 3) consequences of physical exercise or practicing sports. Diagnosis of FHA should be based on a history of menstrual disorders. During physical examination, patients with FHA present with secondary and tertiary sex characteristics specific for the pubertal stage preceding development of the condition and with the signs of hypoestrogenism. Laboratory results determine further management of patients with amenorrhea, and thus their correct interpretation is vital for making appropriate therapeutic decisions. Treatment of chronic anovulation, menstrual disorders, and secondary amenorrhea resulting from hypothalamic disorders should be aimed at the elimination of the primary cause, i.e. a decrease in psycho-emotional strain, avoidance of chronic stressors, reduction of physical exercise level, or optimisation of BMI in patients who lose weight. If menses do not resume after a period of six months or primary causative treatment is not possible, neutralisation of hypoestrogenism consequences, especially unfavourable effects on bone metabolism, become the main issue. Previous studies have shown that oestroprogestagen therapy is useful in both the treatment of menstrual disorders and normalisation of bone mineral density. Hormonal preparations should be introduced into therapeutic protocol on an individualised basis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amenorrhea; Female; Humans; Hypothalamic Diseases; Young Adult
PubMed: 26136135
DOI: 10.5603/EP.2015.0033