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WormBook : the Online Review of C.... Jun 2006Caenorhabditis elegans male mating provides an excellent opportunity to determine how sensory perception regulates behavior and motor programs. The male-specific nervous... (Review)
Review
Caenorhabditis elegans male mating provides an excellent opportunity to determine how sensory perception regulates behavior and motor programs. The male-specific nervous system and muscles are superimposed over the general nervous system and musculature. Genetic screens and genomic approaches have identified male-specific and male-enriched genes as well as non-sex specific molecules specialized for mating sub-behaviors. In this chapter, we discuss the cellular, genetic, and molecular basis for male mating behavior.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Ejaculation; Female; Male; Sex Characteristics; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Vulva
PubMed: 18050467
DOI: 10.1895/wormbook.1.78.1 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Mar 2021
Topics: Adult; Crohn Disease; Female; Humans; Vulva
PubMed: 33722830
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.190112 -
Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Oct 2013Vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) is a chronic, progressive medical condition prevalent among postmenopausal women, which produces symptoms such as dyspareunia, vaginal... (Review)
Review
Vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) is a chronic, progressive medical condition prevalent among postmenopausal women, which produces symptoms such as dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, and vaginal irritation. Currently, the only prescription options are systemic and vaginal estrogen therapies that may be limited by concerns about long-term safety and breast cancer risk. Ospemifene is a tissue-selective estrogen agonist/antagonist (a selective estrogen receptor modulator) recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of dyspareunia, a symptom of VVA, due to menopause. Ospemifene, the first nonestrogen oral treatment for this indication, may provide an alternative to treatment with estrogen. Animal models with ospemifene suggest an inhibitory effect on growth of malignant breast tissue, but animal data cannot necessarily be extrapolated to humans. Clinical trials, including 3 long-term studies assessing the overall safety of ospemifene, support that ospemifene is generally well tolerated, with beneficial effects on the vagina, neutral effects on the breast, and minimal effects on the endometrium.
Topics: Animals; Breast; Dyspareunia; Female; Humans; Postmenopause; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; Tamoxifen; Vagina; Vulva
PubMed: 23945733
DOI: 10.1177/1933719113497290 -
Indian Journal of Medical Ethics 2022Cosmetic surgery is defined as any procedure involving a change in the appearance or aesthetics of a normal anatomy where there are no congenital or acquired... (Review)
Review
Cosmetic surgery is defined as any procedure involving a change in the appearance or aesthetics of a normal anatomy where there are no congenital or acquired pathologies. The procedures that can be included under female cosmetic genital surgery are the following: reduction labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, hymenoplasty, "G-Spot amplification", and miscellaneous. Those who support these procedures could argue that women undergo such procedures as a matter of choice, whereas those opposed could argue that this choice is made because of society's fascination with physical appearance and feeling young. Prima facie these procedures appear to contradict the Hippocratic principle of "primum non nocere". There has been an increase in the marketing and conduct of the above mentioned procedures. Practitioners need to be both sceptical and cautious while performing these surgeries. Patients requesting them need to be counseled regarding the lack of data supporting their efficacy, and the potential complications of the procedures.
Topics: Female; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; Humans; Surgery, Plastic; Vagina; Vulva
PubMed: 34730092
DOI: 10.20529/IJME.2021.046 -
American Family Physician Nov 2020Common benign chronic vulvar conditions include genitourinary syndrome of menopause (formerly called vulvovaginal atrophy), lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, lichen...
Common benign chronic vulvar conditions include genitourinary syndrome of menopause (formerly called vulvovaginal atrophy), lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus, and vulvodynia. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause results from the hypoestrogenic state that leads to atrophy of normal vulvar and vaginal tissues. It is typically treated with lubricants, moisturizers, and intravaginal estrogen. Lichen sclerosus is an inflammatory condition characterized by intense vulvar itching. It is treated with topical steroids or, in some cases, topical calcineurin inhibitors. Patients with lichen sclerosus are at risk of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and should be monitored closely for malignancy. Lichen planus is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can affect the vulva and vagina in addition to other skin and mucosal surfaces. The first-line treatment is topical steroids, and significant scarring can occur if left untreated. Lichen simplex chronicus manifests as persistent itching and scratching of the vulvar skin that leads to thickened epithelium. Breaking the itch-scratch cycle, often with topical steroids, is the key to treatment. Vulvodynia is a common vulvar pain disorder and is a diagnosis of exclusion. A multimodal treatment approach typically includes vulvar hygiene, physical therapy, psychosocial interventions, and antineuropathy medications.
Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lichen Planus; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Middle Aged; Neurodermatitis; Vulva; Vulvar Diseases; Vulvodynia
PubMed: 33118795
DOI: No ID Found -
Actas Dermo-sifiliograficas May 2012Vulvar skin disease is a common reason for consultation. The vulva, like the rest of the skin, can be affected by numerous diseases of various etiologies, but its... (Review)
Review
Vulvar skin disease is a common reason for consultation. The vulva, like the rest of the skin, can be affected by numerous diseases of various etiologies, but its particular anatomic and physiologic characteristics create additional diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. The study of vulvar disease is emerging as a new branch of dermatology. In this article, we examine the characteristics of the normal vulva, and perform a brief, structured review of vulvar inflammatory dermatoses, which comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases in which a broad, multidisciplinary approach is essential.
Topics: Dermatitis; Female; Humans; Lichen Planus; Vulva; Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus; Vulvitis
PubMed: 22176862
DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2011.08.001 -
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews.... 2013Understanding how cells move, change shape, and alter cellular behaviors to form organs, a process termed morphogenesis, is one of the great challenges of developmental... (Review)
Review
Understanding how cells move, change shape, and alter cellular behaviors to form organs, a process termed morphogenesis, is one of the great challenges of developmental biology. Formation of the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva is a powerful, simple, and experimentally accessible model for elucidating how morphogenetic processes produce an organ. In the first step of vulval development, three epithelial precursor cells divide and differentiate to generate 22 cells of 7 different vulval subtypes. The 22 vulval cells then rearrange from a linear array into a tube, with each of the seven cell types undergoing characteristic morphogenetic behaviors that construct the vulva. Vulval morphogenesis entails many of the same cellular activities that underlie organogenesis and tissue formation across species, including invagination, lumen formation, oriented cell divisions, cell–cell adhesion, cell migration, cell fusion, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell invasion. Studies of vulval development have led to pioneering discoveries in a number of these processes and are beginning to bridge the gap between the pathways that specify cells and their connections to morphogenetic behaviors. The simplicity of the vulva and the experimental tools available in C. elegans will continue to make vulval morphogenesis a powerful paradigm to further our understanding of the largely mysterious mechanisms that build tissues and organs.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Female; Morphogenesis; Vulva
PubMed: 23418408
DOI: 10.1002/wdev.87 -
Women's Health (London, England) 2024Knowledge of female genital anatomy and physiology is often inadequate or incorrect among women. Precise patient-physician conversations can be inhibited by a reluctance... (Review)
Review
Knowledge of female genital anatomy and physiology is often inadequate or incorrect among women. Precise patient-physician conversations can be inhibited by a reluctance or inability to speak accurately about the vulva and vagina, with the terms often being used interchangeably. There is a paucity of scientific evidence and clinical guidelines to support women and physicians in ensuring best practices in feminine hygiene. In this review, the unmet needs in the field are highlighted. Evidence is provided for the complex array of physiological and pathological systems, mechanisms and behaviours that either protect or, if inappropriate, predispose the vulva and vagina to infections, irritation or other conditions. The need for attention to perineal health is recommended, given the interdependence of perineal and vulvar microbiota and the risk of colonic pathogens reaching the vulva and the vagina. Differences in feminine hygiene practices can vary widely across the world and among varying age groups, and suboptimal habits (such as vaginal douching or the use of certain cleansers) can be associated with increased risks of vulvar and vaginal conditions. Critical areas for discussion when advising women on their intimate health include: advice surrounding aesthetic vulvar cosmetic trends (such as depilation and genital cosmetic surgery), bowel health and habits, and protection against sexually transmitted infections. Routine, once-daily (maximum twice-daily) washing of the vulva with a pH-balanced, mild cleanser is optimal, ideally soon after bowel voiding, when feasible. Due to the finely balanced ecosystems of the vulva, the vagina and the perineal area, a scientific and clinical perspective is essential when determining the most appropriate vulvar cleansers based on their components. Correct intimate care may contribute to improved genital and sexual health and overall well-being. An increased awareness of correct practices will empower women to be the advocates of their own intimate health.
Topics: Female; Humans; Ecosystem; Vagina; Vaginal Douching; Vulva; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 38396383
DOI: 10.1177/17455057231223716 -
Indian Journal of Dermatology,... 2023
Topics: Female; Humans; Vulva; Skin Abnormalities
PubMed: 35841352
DOI: 10.25259/IJDVL_369_2021 -
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Jun 2022It is difficult to plan a simple and effective surgical strategy for patients with horizontal and vertical redundant tissue of the labia minora and clitoral hood... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
It is difficult to plan a simple and effective surgical strategy for patients with horizontal and vertical redundant tissue of the labia minora and clitoral hood redundancy. A single edge resection or wedge resection labiaplasty with clitoral hood reduction that simultaneously resolves these three issues has yet to be reported. This study investigated the clinical effects and safety of trilobal labiaplasty via a composite incision.
METHODS
The single-center, retrospective, observational study included data from patients with hypertrophy of the labia minora and clitoral hood who underwent trilobal labiaplasty.
RESULTS
Altogether, 136 patients (average age: 31.6 ± 8.82 years; range: 21-53 years; 224 sides) sought surgery for aesthetic (39/136, 28.7%), functional (17/136, 12.5%), or both reasons (80/136, 58.8%). Overall, 134 patients (134/136, 98.5%) were followed up for 3 months. No serious complications or malformations occurred. Three patients (2.2%) underwent secondary repair surgery due to incomplete bilateral symmetry, 122 (91.0%) scored ≥ 21 points on the Female Genital Self-Image Scale, 107 (91.5%) were satisfied with the cosmetic outcomes, and 93 (95.9%) were satisfied with the functional improvement.
CONCLUSIONS
Trilobal labiaplasty performed via a composite incision using edge and wedge labiaplasty to adjust horizontal and vertical hypertrophy of the labia minora and remove lateral folds of the clitoris is a safe and effective method to improve the appearance and rearrange the position of the clitoral hood and clitoral frenulum while preserving the fine structure of the surrounding tissue. This method results in few complications and high functional and aesthetic satisfaction rates.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Young Adult; Clitoris; Hypertrophy; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Retrospective Studies; Surgical Wound; Vulva; Middle Aged
PubMed: 35303122
DOI: 10.1007/s00266-022-02841-7