The Effect of Yoga on Premenstrual Distress, Quality of Life, and Stress Level.

The study aims to evaluate the effect of yoga on the premenstrual syndrome, perceived stress level and the quality of life. The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial at a university in Turkey. A yoga group = 39, a control group = 41, total of n = 80 female students participated in the study. In the study, firstly, the preview was made, then the yoga group was applied two days a week for eight weeks, the second follow-up was made after the application, and lastly, the last follow-up was made in the 24th week. Four questionnaire surveys were applied on students. When the yoga group compared with the control group in terms of premenstrual syndrome, the quality of life and perceived stress level in the 2nd follow-up, a statistically significant decrease was found in the mean between the menstrual and premenstrual period, and the quality of life increases in the yoga group compared to the control group students. Practicing yoga in university students with premenstrual syndrome reduced premenstrual symptoms and raised quality of life. Yoga can be recommended to girls with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to reduce PMS and improve quality of life.

Superb Microvascular Imaging Doppler Technique In The Evaluation Of Ovarian Stromal Vascularity In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the assessment of intra-ovarian stromal vascularity through transabdominal ultrasonography with colour Doppler imaging, power Doppler imaging, colour superb microvascular imaging and monochrome superb microvascular imaging in polycystic ovary syndrome cases. METHODS: The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology outpatient department of the Usak Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, from April 11 to June 18, 2018, and comprised grayscale colour Doppler imaging, power Doppler imaging, colour superb microvascular imaging and monochrome superb microvascular imaging of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The recorded video images were evaluated by three radiologists and rated through consensus decision. Mean values for age, body mass index, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels, luteinizing hormone-follicle stimulating hormone ratio, Ferriman Gallwey score, and mean ovarian volume of the subjects were evaluated. Data was analysed using Number Cruncher Statistical System. RESULTS: Of the 54 women evaluated, data of 42(77.8%) was included. There were a total of 83 ovaries, as the left ovary of 1(1.2%) patient was not visible. The mean age and body mass index were 24.02±5.8 years and 25.08±4.5kg/m2. Mean follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were 5.51±1.91 and 7.91±6.13m IU/mL. Luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone ratio and Ferriman Gallwey score were 1.4±0.8 and 8.67 ±6.94, respectively. The mean ovarian volume was 12.2±3.43 cm3. The detection of vascularity was colour Doppler imaging 0.72±0.97, power Doppler imaging 0.96±1.08, colour superb microvascular imaging 2.47±1.25, and monochrome superb microvascular imaging 2.75±1.31. The techniques were significant for superb microvascular imaging Doppler than conventional Doppler (p<0.001). Hyper- ovarian stromal vascularity, like a 'stellate' sign, was detected in 17(20.5%) of the total 83 ovaries analysed. CONCLUSIONS: Transabdominal ultrasonography-colour superb microvascular imaging was found to be more effective in detecting ovarian vascularity than conventional Doppler technique in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Effects of testosterone treatment on anal sphincter damage repair in ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence (FI) generally occurs with anal sphincter damage caused by vaginal delivery in women, obvious FI can develop in the postmenopausal stage. This pelvic floor dysfunction has no rational medical therapeutic options. We investigated the effect of testosterone treatment on the anal sphincter structure, serum thiol/disulfide levels, uterine tissue, and body composition in female rats in an experimental menopause-FI model. METHODS: The animal experiments were performed between September and November 2020 at Experimental Animal Application and Research Center, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. Thirty-two female rats were divided into four groups: sham, saline, 10 mg/kg testosterone undecanoate, 100 mg/kg testosterone undecanoate. Except for the sham group, all the other groups underwent ovariectomy (OVE) to create a menopause model. Two weeks after this procedure, the FI model was created under general anesthesia in all rat groups. At the end of the experiment, the rats were placed under general anesthesia, weighed, and euthanized after recording the data. The anal sphincter region and uterine tissue samples were collected for histopathological examinations, and blood samples were collected for total testosterone and thiol/disulfide homeostasis analyses. RESULTS: An increase in anal sphincter muscles and connective tissue thickness was observed in the testosterone-administered groups (p = 0.001). No difference was detected between the groups in the total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide balance (p = 0.087, p = 0.604, p = 0.092). The testosterone-treated groups did not have severe uterine epithelial degradation, hyperemia, or increased endometrial thickness (p = 0.186, p = 0.222, p = 0.630). The body weight of all rats increased (p < 0.05), but the omental weight did not increase (p = 0.061). DISCUSSION: Testosterone treatment increased the anal sphincter muscle and connective tissue thickness without causing any oxidative stress and did not result in a pathological change in the uterine tissue and body fat composition.

Salivary Histatin 5 Level in Women with Vaginal Candidiasis.

Histatins (Hsts) are considered a prominent member of antimicrobial peptides rich in histidine, bearing antifungal activity against Candida species. Hst5 is the most effective among them. Although Hst5 is not found in the cervicovaginal fluid, it has been detected in the human serum. Saliva acts as a mirror, reflecting the cause and effect relationship between several diseases. We aimed to show the salivary Hst5 levels with vaginal candidiasis. Women in the reproductive age group (18-50 years) were enrolled in the study. Patients and controls were classified based on the presence or absence of vaginal discharge suggestive of candidiasis, respectively. Vaginal and salivary samples were collected from all the women. Vaginal samples were cultured for the growth of Candida species. Salivary samples were tested by protein electrophoresis to detect Hst5 levels, and the results were compared between the two groups. A total of 80 women were included in this study. The mean age of women in vaginal candidiasis and control groups was 34.25 ± 8.06 and 36.83 ± 7.29 years, respectively. Candida species were isolated from the vaginal samples of the patient group (34 C. albicans, 6 non-Candida albicans) but not from the control group. Hst5 levels in the patient and control group were found to be 0.0571 ± 0.003 ng/mL and 0.0641 ± 0,0031 ng/mL, respectively. Hst5 levels were found to be significantly lower in the vaginal candidiasis group (p=0.001). We conclude that decreased salivary Hst5 levels in women are associated with vaginal candidiasis. Candida infection is a cause or result of lower salivary Hst5 levels, and it may be an important finding for the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease, but further analysis is needed.

Delivery in a vertical birth chair supported by freedom of movement during labor: A randomized control trial.

To evaluate the effect of delivery in a vertical birth chair (VBC) and traditional delivery table (DT) supported by women's movement during labor on the labor process, fetal outcome, maternal hormone levels, birth comfort, and satisfaction. This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 1:1:1 allocation. Group 1: in the VBC in upright position, Group 2: on the DT in supine position, these groups supported by freedom of movement, control group: on the DT in supine position, labor in bed. The duration of second stage of labor was not different between the groups (p = 0.246). The occurrence of instrumental birth, episiotomy, and perineal laceration was also not different among the groups (p = 0.772, p = 0.953, and p = 0.124). The use of uterotonic was observed in control group (p = 0.001). 1 and 5 APGAR scores of newborns were not different in all groups (p = 0.121, p = 0.268). The lowest pain score was observed in Group 1 (p = 0.001). Birth comfort and satisfaction were higher in Group 1 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001). Decreased postpartum prolactin levels and increased postpartum oxytocin levels were observed in the control and Group 1 (p = 0.004, p = 0.006). Freedom of movement during labor and delivery using VBC in upright position can play birth-promoting and supporting role. There were no negative effects on the fetal outcome.

The effects of progesterone on the healing of obstetric anal sphincter damage in female rats.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of postpartum progesterone on obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) healing in female rats using an experimental OASI model. Twenty-eight female rats were divided into four groups after birth: sham-30, sham-90, progesterone (P4)-30, and P4-90. Moreover, OASI model was established in all groups. Subsequently, except for the sham groups, medroxyprogesterone acetate (0.15 mg) was intramuscularly injected into the P4 groups. After 30 and 90 days, the rats were euthanized under general anesthesia after recording the data. The anal sphincter region was collected for histopathological examination. Progesterone and thiol/disulfide homeostasis studies were performed on blood samples. No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the external anal sphincter (EAS), internal anal sphincter (IAS), or connective tissue thickness (p = 0.714, p = 0.135, and p = 0.314, respectively). No statistically significant differences in the total thiol, native thiol, disulfide, and progesterone levels were found between the groups (p = 0.917, p = 0.503, p = 0.361, and p = 0.294, respectively). The endometrial thickness was lower in the P4 groups than in the sham groups (p = 0.031). Postpartum progesterone administration did not affect IAS and EAS or connective tissue thickness or disrupt the thiol-disulfide balance. However, this administration led to endometrial thinning.