A 2019 reproductive update from the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International.

"Mystery, Medicine, and the Magnificent Mile," the theme for the annual Midwest Reproductive Symposium International (MRSi) in Chicago, IL, captured the attention of reproductive professionals all over the world. Each year, the conference agenda encompasses emerging technologies in assisted reproduction, updates in the management of reproductive diseases, and common challenges encountered in clinical practice. The structure of the meeting, offering a mixture of lectures, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, creates a collaborative environment for physicians, geneticists, embryologists, nurses, mental health professionals, basic scientists, business administrative professionals, reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellows, and obstetrics and gynecology residents. The goal of the MRSi meeting is to provide all reproductive professionals the opportunity to exchange ideas, foster relationships, and deliver quality patient care. As the field continues to evolve, MRSi provides an exciting venue to uncover the mysteries of reproductive medicine with enthusiasm and collaboration.

Pregnancy and Sexual Relationships Study Involving wOmen and meN (PASSION Study).

INTRODUCTION: Sexual satisfaction is believed to decrease during pregnancy; however, the effect of pregnancy on the sexual relationship in a couple is not well studied. AIM: To assess for sexual dysfunction in heterosexual couples during pregnancy. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of heterosexual pregnant women in the third trimester and their cohabitating partners. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual satisfaction in heterosexual couples during pregnancy was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire, the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 53 couples met eligibility criteria, and nearly all of those approached participated (52 of 53 couples). All couples were enrolled at or after 35 weeks' gestation. The mean age was 29.0 ± 6.4 and 31.3 ± 6.9 years for women and men, respectively. 60% of couples were married, and the remainder were cohabitating and in a committed relationship. When analyzing the results of the GRISS questionnaire for both partners, a significant difference was seen in mean avoidance of sex between women and men (3.31 vs 2.63; P = .047) and non-sensuality (3.54 vs 2.75; P = .040). Women reported more of a decrease in communication about sex when compared with their partners (3.79 vs 3.23; P = .047). Vaginismus was more problematic during pregnancy than before (mean = 4.17), and frequency of intercourse was decreased (mean = 4.93) based on calculated GRISS scores. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Pregnant couples reported decreased frequency of intercourse and more pain with intercourse in women. Women were more likely to avoid intercourse and reported more problems with communication regarding sexual needs. STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: This study is the first to assess both partners in pregnancy. Due to the nature of the study, we were unable to assess other factors affecting the relationship that may result in sexual dysfunction, there was no control group, and the results are limited to heterosexual couples. CONCLUSION: Overall sexual satisfaction and function were not problematic for these couples during pregnancy based on the GRISS scale. Dwarica DS, Garbe Collins G, Fitzgerald C, et al. Pregnancy and Sexual Relationships Study Involving WOmen and MeN (PASSION Study). J Sex Med 2019;16:975-980.

Review and recap of the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International: learning tool for continuing medical education for reproductive endocrinologists, geneticists, embryologists, mental health, and other infertility providers.

Conferences serve an essential means of learning and staying up to date in all aspects of medicine. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility is a young and constantly evolving field. The Midwest Reproductive Symposium International (MRSi) is a yearly conference held in Chicago, IL, and is one of the most intimate yet influential conferences in the fertility world. This conference is geared towards all professions and roles in the fertility world such as physicians, geneticists, nurses, allied health professionals, basic scientists, mental health professionals, business administration professionals, reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellows, and obstetrics and gynecology residents alike. The goal of MRSi is to continue to understand this revolutionary field in order to improve patient outcomes while staying up to date with the latest technology.

Essential learning tools for continuing medical education for physicians, geneticists, nurses, allied health professionals, mental health professionals, business administration professionals, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellows: the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International.

Essential learning tools for continuing medical education are a challenge in today's rapidly evolving field of reproductive medicine. The Midwest Reproductive Symposium International (MRSi) is a yearly conference held in Chicago, IL. The conference is targeted toward physicians, geneticists, nurses, allied health professionals, mental health professionals, business administration professionals, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellows engaged in the practice of reproductive medicine. In addition to the scientific conference agenda, there are specific sessions for nurses, mental health professionals, and REI fellows. Unique to the MRSi conference, there is also a separate "Business Minds" session to provide education on business acumen as it is an important element to running a department, division, or private clinic.

Surgical Pain Control With Ropivacaine by Atomized Delivery (Spray): A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of intraoperative atomized intraperitoneal ropivacaine (AIR) as an adjuvant to anesthetic agents at the time of minimally invasive pelvic surgery. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial. CLASSIFICATION: Randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-five patients who underwent laparoscopic and robotic gynecologic procedures. INTERVENTION: Patients received AIR or atomized intraperitoneal saline (AIS) (dose, 2 mg/kg) immediately after the initiation of pneumoperitoneum. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and narcotic use (in morphine equivalents) were collected and recorded at 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients completed the study protocol and data collection, with 30 patients allocated to the AIS group and 25 patients allocated to the AIR group. Demographic and surgical variables did not vary between the groups, with the exception of median operative duration. Postoperative VAS scores at 2, 4, 8, and 12 postoperative hours were higher in the AIS group, but the difference failed to reach statistical significance. Narcotic use was also similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The use of intraperitoneal ropivacaine was not associated with a statistically significant difference in patients' postoperative VAS scores. Thus, in contrast to findings of similar studies performed in general surgery, AIR might not confer a benefit in women undergoing minimally invasive gynecologic procedures.