Vaginal microbiome of women with premature ovarian insufficiency: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the vaginal microbiome of women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) receiving systemic hormone therapy (HT). METHODS: Forty women with POI receiving systemic HT for at least 6 months, who were sexually active, were included in the descriptive cross-sectional study. Vaginal secretion was collected for DNA extraction followed by pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA. The samples were pooled into phylogenetic groups (Ravel groups I-V). RESULTS: Women had mean age of 37.13 (± 7.27) years and POI diagnosis at age 27.90 (± 8.68) years, and a mean HT duration of 8.20 (± 8.73) years. It was observed that 33.4% of the women presented group I flora, with a predominance of Lactobacillus crispatus; 9% group II flora, with a predominance of Lactobacillus gasseri; 33.4% group III flora, with a predominance of Lactobacillus iners; 15.2% group IV flora, with a predominance of anaerobic bacteria; and 9% group V flora, with a predominance of Lactobacillus jensenii. CONCLUSION: Women with POI receiving HT presented a vaginal microbiome with a predominance of lactobacilli in the composition of the vaginal flora, specifically L. crispatus and L. iners when evaluated by molecular biology through pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA.

Interferential current: a new option for the treatment of sexual complaints in women with premature ovarian insufficiency using systemic hormone therapy: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of interferential current (IC) in the sexual function of women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) using systemic hormone therapy (HT), compared to topical estriol. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial with 40 women with POI using systemic HT, who were sexually active and referred for dyspareunia and reduction of lubrication. The women were divided into two treatment groups for 4 weeks: IC group (eight electrotherapy sessions twice a week); or E group (estriol vaginal cream, daily application, 0.5 mg/d). The Female Sexual Function Index was used to evaluate pre-/posttreatment sexual function. RESULTS: Mean age was 37.13 ±â€Š7.27 years and mean treatment time with HT was 8.20 ±â€Š8.73 years, similar data for both groups. There was an improvement in global sexual function, lubrication, and pain domains for both treatments. The differences between the pre-/posttreatment lubrication scores were respectively 0.75 ±â€Š3.31 (P = 0.014) for IC and 1.16 ±â€Š1.22 (P < 0.001) for estriol, whereas for dyspareunia the differences were 1.00 ±â€Š1.47 (P = 0.005) for IC, and 0.68 ±â€Š1.30 (P = 0.006) for estriol. There was no pre-/posttreatment difference for the desire and arousal domains. Only in the IC group did orgasm (difference 0.90 ±â€Š1.42, P = 0.010) and satisfaction improve (difference 0.70 ±â€Š1.28, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: The use of perineal IC seems to be a new option for women with POI using systemic HT and presenting with sexual complaints, leading to an improvement in pain, lubrication, satisfaction, and orgasm.

Standard hormone therapy is inadequate for bone density in premature ovarian insufficiency.

To assess standard dose hormone therapy (HT) and bone mass in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), 239 women with POI, 132 using standard estrogen dose HT and 107 women without HT, were evaluated. All underwent bone mineral density (BMD) evaluation in the lumbar spine (LS) and total femur (TF). Mean age, age at last period and body mass index (BMI) for the untreated and for the HT groups were 38.1 ± 6.1 and 36.8 ± 7.3 years; 31.4 ± 7.3 and 30.7 ± 7.2 years; 26.6 ± 7.1 and 25.8 ± 4.6 kg/m2, respectively, (p=NS). The women taking standard dose HT started treatment at the age of 33.8 ± 6.3 years and had been on hormone treatment for 3 years at the time of the bone densitometry examination. The BMD in LS was 1.06 ± 0.15 and 1.00 ± 0.17 g/cm2 (p = 0.003); the BMD in TF was 0.92 ± 0.19 and 0.91 ± 0.13 g/cm2 (p = 0.039), respectively, for the untreated and HT groups. A 45% altered BMD (osteopenia/osteoporosis) in LS was verified in women without treatment and 60.1% in those using the standard dose TH (p = 0.01). The BMD in TF was altered in 32.3% in those without HT and 36.4% in the HT users (p = 0.34). In conclusion, standard dose HT was not adequate to reduce impaired bone mass in the spine and femur of women with POI.

Role of the different sexuality domains on the sexual function of women with premature ovarian failure.

INTRODUCTION: Women with premature ovarian failure (POF) often manifest complaints involving different aspects of sexual function (SF), regardless of using hormone therapy. SF involves a complex interaction between physical, psychological, and sociocultural aspects. There are doubts about the impact of different complaints on the global context of SF of women with POF. AIM: To evaluate the percentage of influence of each of the sexuality domains on the SF in women with POF. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 80 women with POF, matched by age to 80 women with normal gonadal function. We evaluated SF through the "Female Sexual Function Index" (FSFI), a comparison between the POF and control groups using the Mann-Whitney test. Component exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the proportional influence of each domain on the composition of the overall SF for women in the POF group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SF was evaluated using FSFI. Exploratory Factor Analysis for components was used to evaluate the role of each domain on the SF of women with POF. RESULTS: The FSFI score was significantly worse for women with POF, with a decrease in arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and dyspareunia. Exploratory factor analysis of SF showed that the domain with greater influence in the SF was arousal, followed by desire, together accounting for 41% of the FSFI. The domains with less influence were dyspareunia and lubrication, which together accounted for 25% of the FSFI. CONCLUSION: Women with POF have impaired SF, determined mainly by changes in arousal and desire. Aspects related to lubrication and dyspareunia complaints have lower determination coefficient in SF. These results are important in adapting the approach of sexual disorders in this group of women.

A systematic review of the effect of daily panty liner use on the vulvovaginal environment.

BACKGROUND: Whether panty liners predispose to vulvovaginitis is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the effects of the use of panty liners on the female genital tract. SEARCH STRATEGY: Several electronic databases (including PubMed and Embase) were searched to identify studies published in English before May 3, 2012. SELECTION CRITERIA: Case-control studies, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies comparing young women who did and did not use panty liners in the intermenstrual period were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or the Jadad Scale. Data from suitable studies were extracted for analysis. MAIN RESULTS: Five articles met the inclusion criteria. Four studies-all of which included only healthy women-found no significant clinical implications arising from the use of panty liners. The fifth study was of women with recurrent candidiasis and showed that use of panty liners was associated with new candidiasis episodes. CONCLUSIONS: The intermenstrual use of panty liners does not seem to have a negative effect on the vulvovaginal area.

Mammographic breast density in women with premature ovarian failure: a prospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare breast density between two mammograms in women with premature ovarian failure (POF). METHODS: A cohort study evaluated 56 women with POF. Two mammograms performed at least 2 years apart were analyzed. Mammogram films were digitalized, and images were assessed using a computer-assisted method; the percentage of breast image that is radiologically dense is referred to as the percentage of mammographic density (PMD). Age at menarche, age at onset of POF, length of POF, length of estrogen-progestin therapy (EPT), body mass index (BMI), pregnancy, and age at the time of each mammogram were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age at POF diagnosis was 32.35 (5.95) years. In the first mammogram, the mean (SD) age, BMI, and length of POF were 37.58 (3.72) years, 26.79 (4.86) kg/m, and 5.25 (4.61) years, respectively. EPT had been used for a mean (SD) of 2.71 (3.12) years. In the second mammogram, the mean (SD) age, BMI, and length of POF were 43.23 (4.98) years, 27.6 (5.39) kg/m, and 10.5 (5.11) years, respectively. EPT had been used for a mean (SD) of 7.25 (4.6) years. The mean (SD) interval between mammograms was 5.25 (3) years, and the mean (SD) PMD decreased from 27.78% (21.04%) to 17.53% (15.71%) (P = 0.007). Comparing PMD between women taking EPT and those not taking EPT, we observed no significant differences. In both instances, multiparous women had lower PMD than nulliparous women (P < 0.05). BMI, length of POF, and pregnancy were negatively correlated with PMD. CONCLUSIONS: Breast density in young women with POF decreases across a period of 5 years, regardless of EPT use. Further studies may elucidate how this result will correlate with decision-making in clinical therapeutics and breast cancer risk in POF.

Tricomoníase vaginal: o que se passa? / Vaginal trichomoniasis: what is up?

Este estudo faz uma revisão atualizada da prevalência do Trichomonas vaginalis na população geral, bem como sua complexa interação com o hospedeiro e as consequências da infecção não diagnosticada. O Trichomonas vaginalis é um parasita extracelular das mucosas, especialmente a vaginal, que causam descarga vaginal, irritação e inflamação, podendo ser assintomático em quase 1/3 dos casos. Atualmente tem sido pouco encontrado em alguns centros, mas continua como causa importante de vulvovaginites no mundo, mantendo-se com taxas de 10% dos corrimentos vaginais em vários estudos epidemiológicos. É abordada a complexa relação parasita-hospedeiro, em que a resposta imunológica predispõe vaginose bacteriana e infecção pelo HIV, por mobilização das células de defesa (leucócitos, linfócitos T CD4 e macrófagos). As formas de diagnóstico são apontadas para facilitar a compreensão do diagnóstico. Foram apontadas ainda as formas de tratamento e em especial as dificuldades com casos de resistência medicamentosa.

This study is an updated review of Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence in the general population as well as its complex interaction with the host and the consequences of undiagnosed infection. The Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular parasite of the mucous membranes, especially the vagina, causing vaginal discharge, irritation and inflammation and may be asymptomatic in nearly one third of cases. Currently, little has been found in some centers, but remains a important cause of vulvovaginitis in the world keeping up with rates of 10% of vaginal discharge in several epidemiological studies. This involves complex host parasite relationship where the immune response predisposes to bacterial vaginosis and HIV infection by mobilizing defense cells (leukocytes, CD4 T lymphocytes and macrophages). The forms of diagnosis are pointed to facilitate understanding of the diagnosis. We also pointed the way to treatment and in particular the difficulties with cases of drug resistance.

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, high-risk human papilloma virus infection and p16(INK4a) expression: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Papillary squamous cell carcioma is rare form of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix occurring in women in the sixth decade of life and is frequently misdiagnosed as high-grade intraepithelial lesion. Few reports with cytologic study have been performed, especially with cytology in liquid-based specimens. CASE: A 58-year-old woman who had 8 gestations (no abortions) and mitral cardiopathy treated with coumarin medication was referred for transvaginal bleeding of 20 days' duration. Specular examination showed an exophytic, easily bleeding lesion occupying all of the uterine cervix and superior third of the vagina. Liquid-based cytology showed squamous cells, mostly basaloid but some bizarre or in fiber, with clearly atypical nuclei. Second-generation hybrid capture for high-risk human papillomavirus was positive, with a viral load of 404 relative light unit/positive control B, and the tumor expressed p16(INK4a). CONCLUSION: This report adds further experience with liquid-based cytology to the existing conventional and liquid-based cytologic findings, particularly in the Brazilian female population.

Prevalence of anal squamous intra-epithelial lesion in women presenting genital squamous intra-epithelial lesion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of anal squamous intra-epithelial lesions (ASIL) in women with genital squamous intra-epithelial lesions (GSIL). STUDY DESIGN: In a cross sectional study, 184 patients with histopathological diagnosis of GSIL and 76 controls without GSIL, were submitted to anuscopy in order to determine the presence of ASIL. All the women were HIV-negative with anal aceto-white lesions were biopsed for histological diagnosis. RESULTS: The frequency of ASIL was 17.4% in the GSIL group (3.2% high grade ASIL) and only 2.6% in the control group (0% high grade ASIL) (p<0.001). All the high grade ASIL diagnoses were found in women with cervical SIL. CONCLUSION: Women presenting GSIL have high prevalence of ASIL.

Candidíase vulvovaginal recorrente: fisiopatogênese, diagnóstico e tratamento / Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment

A candidíase vaginal representa uma das ginecopatias mais frequentes, acometendo, pelo menos uma vez na vida, cerca de 75 da população feminina sexualmente ativa. Apesar de sua alta frequência, existem outras doenças vulvovaginais que mimetizam a candidíase vaginal, dificultando o diagnóstico e induzindo a tratamentos inadequados. A candidíase vulvovaginal pode assumir a forma recorrente quando se faz presente por três ou mais episódios agudos no decorrer do período de um ano, desde que apropriadamente diagnosticados (através de exames clínico e microbiológico) e tratados. Este artigo se propõe a revisar os principais tópicos referentes à identificação do fungo, sinais e sintomas, resposta imune vaginal para Candida sp, ação do sêmen sobre a imunidade vaginal, possíveis interferências genéticas e as estratégias de tratamento nos quadros recorrentes. Os autores levam em consideração que habitualmente não existe uma relação direta entre a concentração da cândida na vagina e a expressão dos sintomas clínicos. Outro aspecto considerado é que a maioria das mulheres rotuladas como portadoras de candidíase vulvovaginal recorrente não tem evidência bacterioscópica do fungo na vagina e que essa doença não pode ser distinguida de outras pela sintomatologia.

Influência da freqüência de coitos vaginais e da prática de duchas higiênicas sobre o equilíbrio da microbiota vaginal / Influence of frequency of vaginal intercourses and the use of doushing on vaginal microbiota

OBJETIVO: verificar se alta freqüência de coitos vaginais e o uso de duchas higiênicas interferem com a microbiota vaginal. MÉTODOS: noventa e sete mulheres atendidas em centro de saúde localizado em zona de prostituição na cidade de Campinas foram avaliadas em estudo prospectivo de corte transversal. A anamnese determinou as freqüências de coitos vaginais e do uso de duchas higiênicas nas 44 profissionais do sexo e nas 53 não-profissionais do sexo estudadas. O conteúdo vaginal foi coletado com swab estéril de Dacron, da parede vaginal direita, e disposto em duas lâminas de vidro. A microbiota vaginal foi estudada em microscopia óptica com lente de imersão em esfregaço corado pela técnica de Gram. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste exato de Fisher. As mulheres profissionais e não profissionais do sexo apresentaram, respectivamente, média de idade de 24,9 (± 6,4) e 31,5 (± 9,7) anos, hábito de fumar em 52,2 e 24,5 por cento, prática do uso de lubrificantes vaginais em 56,8 e 0 por cento e prática de uso de condom em 100 e 41,5 por cento dos casos respectivamente. RESULTADOS: apenas 1,8 por cento das mulheres do grupo controle tinham sete ou mais relações sexuais por semana, em evidente contraste com as profissionais do sexo (97,7 por cento). Não houve diferenças significativas quanto à raça, escolaridade e paridade. A vaginose bacteriana e a flora vaginal anormal foram mais observadas nas profissionais do sexo do que no grupo controle (p=0,02 e 0,001) e associou-se à alta freqüência (sete ou mais vezes) de coitos vaginais semanais (p=0,04 e 0,001). O diagnóstico de vaginose citolítica foi mais freqüente nas mulheres não-profissionais do sexo (p=0,04) e com menor freqüência de relações sexuais (p=0,04). O uso de duchas higiênicas foi mais comum nas profissionais do sexo (p=0,002). Entretanto, esta prática não esteve associada aos distúrbios da microbiota vaginal e nem à presença de vulvovagintes. CONCLUSÕES: profissionais do sexo com sete ou mais relações sexuais semanais apresentaram maior freqüência de vaginose bacteriana e alterações da flora vaginal. O hábito de duchas vaginais não interferiu com o ecossistema vaginal das mulheres estudadas.