Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pelvic Organ Prolapse Evaluation.

Background and Objectives: The primary method for assessing pelvic floor defects is through physical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a radiological technique that is useful for identifying the underlying defects of pelvic floor structures that require surgery. The primary aim of this study was to find correspondence between the clinical and radiological staging of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) before and after vaginal surgery. A secondary endpoint was to investigate, through clinical and MRI findings, whether surgery influences continence mechanisms. Finally, we reported changes in the quality of life of women who underwent surgery for prolapse. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five women with prolapse stage ≥ 2 POP-Q were recruited in this prospective study. They underwent preoperative clinical examination, MRI at rest and under the Valsalva maneuver, and quality of life questionnaires. Three months after vaginal surgery, they repeated clinical and radiological evaluation. Results: Twenty women completed the study. Both clinical and MRI evaluations showed an improvement in prolapse and symptoms after surgery. There were some discrepancies between clinical and radiological staging. MRI parameters did not show differences between pre- and postoperative values at rest; under the Valsalva maneuver, instead, the measurements changed after surgery. Continence was not worsened by the widening of the vesicourethral angle. Patients reported an improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: MRI is an accurate and objective method for defining the stage of prolapse, but clinical evaluation alone is sufficient for staging prolapse before surgery and evaluating the result at follow-up. It is an accurate method for visualizing some pelvic structures that can be compromised because of pelvic organ prolapse. MRI showed that vaginal surgery does not affect continence mechanisms.

Comparative randomized study on the sexual function and quality of life of women on contraceptive vaginal ring containing ethinylestradiol/etonogestrel 3.47/11.00mg or 2.7/11.7mg.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the sexual function and quality of life (QoL) of healthy women on a new contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) containing ethinylestradiol (EE) 3.47 mg and etonogestrel (ENG) 11.00 mg (study group) manufactured with a new polymer composition compared to EE 2.7 mg/ENG11.7 mg CVR (control group). Fifty-eight women were randomly allocated to the study group and the control group. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and the Short Form-36, were used to assess sexual function, sexual distress and QoL, respectively. The study included two follow-ups, at 90 days and at 180 days. The control group reported more adverse events, mainly breakthrough bleeding, than the study group. The sexual function scores in the women in the study group improved with respect to those of the control group both at the 1st (FSFI, p = .009; FSDS, p = .001) and at the 2nd (FSFI, p = .001; FSDS, p = .002) follow-up. QoL of the study group improved at the 1st follow-up (p < .05) and 2nd (p < .01) follow-up. The control group improved their QoL at the 2nd follow-up (p < .01). The more gradual EE release of the new polymer composition could justify the behavioral differences of the women of the two groups.

Activity of isoflavones and berberine on vasomotor symptoms and lipid profile in menopausal women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a food supplement combination based on isoflavones and berberine (ISB) in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and dyslipidaemia. Isoflavones are extracted from soy and absorbed in the body after being activated by lactobacillus. Berberine, extracted from the plant Berberis aristata, lowers plasma cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) by increasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors and reducing hepatic synthesis of TG. One hundred twenty women with a mean age of 54.8 ± 0.6 years were enrolled and randomized to treatment with ISB (estromineral lipid [EL] = 60 cases) or calcium and vitamin D(3) (CaD = 60 cases). Menopausal symptoms, plasma cholesterol, and TG were evaluated at baseline, and after 4 and 12 weeks. EL treatment significantly lowered plasma total cholesterol (-13.5% ± 0.7 vs -0.2% ± 0.5), LDL cholesterol (-12.4% ± 1.5 vs + 0.8 % ± 0.7) and TG (-18.9% ± 2.5 vs -1.3% ± 1.2) and improved menopausal symptoms compared with CaD treatment. Safety parameters were unchanged during the study. The combination of berberine and isoflavones was effective in lowering cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in menopausal women with moderate dyslipidaemia and in improving their quality of life.

Incidental Diagnosis of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: A Case Report.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare clinical condition characterized by disseminating gelatinous ascites within the peritoneal cavity with mucinous implants on peritoneal surfaces. We present the case of a patient incidentally diagnosed after laparoscopy: definitive diagnosis after the histological examination was PMP. A 37-year-old female patient with a medical history of infertility and mild pelvic pain was found to have several collections in the pelvis and an amount of free fluid into the Douglas pouch at ultrasound examination. The patient underwent laparoscopic surgical exploration. Peritoneal biopsies and appendectomy were performed. Histological examination was about a low-grade appendiceal mucinous tumor limited to the mucosa without submucosal infiltration with perforation of the wall and deposit of periappendicular acellular mucin. The patient was discharged in good health and referred to an oncological peritoneal center where cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) were performed. In conclusion, PMP is an uncommon disease within the abdomen, characterized by a mucinous tumor that produces progressive mucinous ascites. It is characterized by various non-specific symptoms and signs and difficult imaging diagnoses. Histological diagnosis is a determinant to establish the therapy that can differ significantly, depending on the stage of the disease.

Characteristics and patterns of care of endometrial cancer before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has correlated with the disruption of screening activities and diagnostic assessments. Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies and it is often detected at an early stage, because it frequently produces symptoms. Here, we aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on patterns of presentation and treatment of EC patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study involving 54 centers in Italy. We evaluated patterns of presentation and treatment of EC patients before (period 1: March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020) and during (period 2: April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021) the COVID-19 outbreak. RESULTS: Medical records of 5,164 EC patients have been retrieved: 2,718 and 2,446 women treated in period 1 and period 2, respectively. Surgery was the mainstay of treatment in both periods (p=0.356). Nodal assessment was omitted in 689 (27.3%) and 484 (21.2%) patients treated in period 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). While, the prevalence of patients undergoing sentinel node mapping (with or without backup lymphadenectomy) has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (46.7% in period 1 vs. 52.8% in period 2; p<0.001). Overall, 1,280 (50.4%) and 1,021 (44.7%) patients had no adjuvant therapy in period 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). Adjuvant therapy use has increased during COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the characteristics and patterns of care of EC patients. These findings highlight the need to implement healthcare services during the pandemic.

TOT does not affect the urethral sphincter innervation: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To exclude a neuromuscular denervation damage due to prosthetic mini-invasive surgery using transobturator tape (TOT) by pre and postoperative electromyography (EMG) of the striated urethral sphincter. METHODS: Seventeen women with SUI were enrolled by urogynecologic and urodynamic examination. Each of them underwent EMG of striated urethral sphincter performed by 25-mm concentric needle that was put in as far as 5 mm inside internal urethral sphincter. Amplitude and duration of EMG potentials were measured during caught, maximal contraction, and at rest. Four months after TOT treatment women underwent EMG. RESULTS: The mean amplitude of EMG potentials does not show significant statistical differences between pre- and post-TOT (P=NS). The duration of potentials, instead, changed between pre and posttreatment only during the maximal contraction test (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TOT prosthesis surgery, avoiding denervation and devascularization of pelvic structures does not produce damage of the urethral sphincter.

Intravaginal 6.5 mg prasterone administration in postmenopausal women with overactive bladder syndrome: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of vaginally prasterone administration on postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) affected by overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). A secondary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of prasterone on VVA and quality of life (QoL). STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two postmenopausal women with GSM and referred OAB symptoms received treatment with daily intravaginal prasterone 6.5 mg. We assessed urinary symptoms through approved ICIQ-OAB and ICIQ-UI questionnaires on incontinence. Women were also screened by the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) to investigate the vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). Quality of life (QoL) was assessed by the SF-12 Health Survey. Each questionnaire was administrated at baseline (T0) and after a 12-week treatment (T1). RESULTS: Incontinence questionnaires showed improvement at T1 (from 7.8 ± 2.7 to 2.7 ± 2.2, p < 0.001). Even if women referred an improvement of daily urine although the women reported improvement in daily urine leaks, their urine leak amount did not improve statistically significant [T0 (28.6%) Vs T1 (14.3%), p < 0.16]. Prasterone therapy improved significantly the VHI [T1(21 ± 3.7) Vs T0 (10.8 ± 4.1), p < 0.001]. Finally, women had a statistically significant improvement both in Mental [T1(49.9 ± 11.2) Vs T0 (42 ± 9.2), p < 0.009],) and Physical Health [T1(47.1 ± 9.1) Vs T0 (38.6 ± 8.4), p < 0.006], domains of the SF-12 questionnaire. No women referred side effects. CONCLUSION: Prasterone is an inactive precursor converted into estrogens and androgens into vaginal tissue. It leads to positive effects on VVA through the activation of the vaginal androgen and estrogen receptors. Empirical evidence in this study suggests that intravaginal 6.5 mg prasterone administration could be an effective treatment for postmenopausal women with GMS affected by OAB.

Ultralow 0.03 mg vaginal estriol in postmenopausal women who underwent surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence: effects on quality of life and sexual function.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of low-dose, intravaginal estriol ovules in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) before and after transobturator tape (TOT) placement, assessing vaginal health, quality of life (QoL), and sexual function. METHODS: Ninety-six postmenopausal women affected by SUI and scheduled for TOT placement were enrolled. Women were randomized and divided into two groups through 1:1 at baseline (T0): study group (group A, n = 48) and control group (group B, n = 48). Group A was treated daily for 16 weeks with an intravaginal ovule containing 0.03 mg estriol. Vaginal epithelium maturation, QoL, and sexual function were investigated by using the Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI), Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire at baseline (T0), before surgery (T1), and 8 weeks after surgery (T2), respectively. RESULTS: Thirty-six women from group A and 44 women from group B completed the study. The VMI improved in group A at T1 (T1 [43.1] vs T0 [38.1]; P = 0.04) and T2 (T2 [47.8] vs T0 [38.1]; P = 0.001). The physical index score of the QoL improved only after surgery in group A (T2 [49.4] vs T0 [39.7]; P = 0.001). On the contrary, the mental index score improved at T1 [T1 (41.9) vs T0 (37.9), (P = 0.02)] and at T2 [T2 (49.6) vs T0 (37.9), P = 0.001]. Group B had improvement of the physical (45.6 vs 39.4; P = 0.001) and mental (43.6 vs 38.9; P = 0.002) index scores at T2. Sexual function improved in group A at T1 (13.9 vs 18.6; P = 0.001) and at T2 (13.9 vs 25.2; P = 0.001), and in group B at T2 (14 vs 17.2; P = 0.001). Moreover, it improved after TOT placement more in group A than in group B (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ultralow-dose topical vaginal ovules containing 0.03 mg estriol administrated before and after TOT placement could improve the vaginal epithelium maturation of postmenopausal women affected by SUI. Moreover, vaginal estriol ovules also improved the surgical outcome investigated by SF-36 and FSFI.

Does vaginal estriol make urodynamic changes in women with overactive bladder syndrome and genitourinary syndrome of menopause?

OBJECTIVES: OAB is a common finding in postmenopausal women. Hypoestrogenism is the root cause of many signs and symptoms of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (vaginal dryness, atrophy, dyspareunia, urinary disorders, etc.). As such the aim of this study was to evaluate the urodynamic effects of ultralowdose estriol vaginal gel formulation to treat women with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause and Overactive Bladder Syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: This open-labeled, single center, prospective study involved 37 women with OAB recruited in our Urogynecological Unit between January and July 2016. They received estriol 50 mcg/g vaginal gel, one applicator-dose per day for 3 weeks followed by one dose twice a week for 12 weeks. Objective and subjective parameters were evaluated before and after treatment through the urodynamic examination, Overactive Bladder symptom score and Short Form Health Survey-36 questionnaires. RESULTS: Vaginal atrophy symptoms and signs as well as the overactive bladder subjective symptom parameter improved significantly. Urodynamic evaluation showed significant improvement in first desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity after estriol usage. Patients who had detrusor overactivity did not show any improvement for this parameter after treatment. The voiding function parameters did not significantly change. Short form-36 showed a better quality of life after treatment especially for the emotional role, as well as mental and general health. CONCLUSIONS: A local ultra-low dose concentration of estriol could be effective in women with vaginal atrophy and Overactive Bladder Syndrome for improving both subjective symptoms and urodynamic parameters of storage function not affecting voiding function.

Effects of Urinary Incontinence Subtypes on Women's Sexual Function and Quality of Life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of different subtypes of urinary incontinence (UI) on sexual function and quality of life (QoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three women with UI were enrolled in the observational study. By the urodynamic findings, 32 women (34.5 %) were diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), 35 (37.6%) with urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and 26 (27.9%) with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). The Short Form-36 questionnaire was used to investigate the QoL, and the Female Sexual Function Index and Female Sexual Distress Scale questionnaires were used to study sexual function and sexual distress, respectively. RESULTS: Low mean total Female Sexual Function Index scores and high mean Female Sexual Distress Scale total scores were obtained for each group. However, women with MUI showed a significantly higher impairment of female sexual function (P <.05) compared with others. Women with MUI and UUI had more orgasmic disorder than those with SUI, and women with MUI and SUI had mainly lower sexual desire than those with UUI. QoL was worse in women of all groups, particularly in those with UUI and MUI. CONCLUSION: UI, whatever its nature, has a significant impact on sexual function; notwithstanding, the subgroups of UI, namely SUI, UUI, and MUI, may have their sexual function affected in different ways. All subtypes of UI can have severe consequences on perception of QoL, but when compared, a significantly high impairment of QoL was observed in the MUI and the UUI groups.

Effects of ultralow topical estriol dose on vaginal health and quality of life in postmenopausal women who underwent surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of low concentrations of vaginal estriol gel in postmenopausal women with pelvic static disorders before and after vaginal surgical treatment, assessing vaginal health, sexual function, and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Women affected by genital prolapse were enrolled. Vaginal health, QoL, and sexual function were investigated at baseline (T0), before surgery (T1), and 13 weeks after surgery (T2). At baseline, participants were randomized 1:1. Women in group A (38 women) were treated daily with vaginal gel containing 50 µg estriol for 12 weeks and women in group B (37 women) did not receive any estrogen treatment. After this period and before surgery, a first examination was carried out (T1). One week after surgical treatment, group A underwent randomization 1:1 to group A1 repeating estriol vaginal gel for 12 weeks, and group A2 discontinuing the estrogen treatment. The second follow-up examination (T2) was performed at the 13th week after surgery. RESULTS: All aspects of vaginal health improved in group A on estriol before surgery with respect to baseline (P < 0.001). After surgery, 17 participants of group A1, 16 of group A2, and 30 of group B completed the study. Group A1 (on estriol plus surgery) further improved with respect to the presurgery estriol treatment (P < 0.01). Moreover, group A2 (T2) experienced a worsening of vaginal health versus intragroup presurgery estriol treatment (P < 0.01), and versus intergroup surgical estriol treatment (P < 0.05). QoL improved in women only after surgery, with (P < 0.01) or without (P < 0.05) estriol treatment. Finally, the sexual function of participants on estriol before surgery did not change. On the contrary, it improved after surgery in both participants on estriol (P < 0.001) and without estriol (P < 0.01). Moreover, surgical estriol participants had a better score than surgical no-estriol participants (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Estriol vaginal gel (0.005%) administration significantly improved the vaginal health of natural postmenopausal women before and after vaginal surgery. Both sexual health and QoL also significantly improved after surgery.