Prospective, multicenter, uncontrolled study on the effectiveness and safety of a hyaluronic acid water-based vaginal lubricant in alleviating vaginal dryness and dyspareunia.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal dryness (VD) represents a significant concern affecting women across diverse life stages, encompassing both pre- and postmenopausal women at any age. Dyspareunia, defined by genital pain that can be experienced before, during, or after intercourse, is often associated with vaginal dryness. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a water-based vaginal lubricant with hyaluronic acid to reduce sexual discomfort associated with vaginal dryness. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, uncontrolled clinical investigation was conducted over a three-month period in women aged 18 years or older experiencing pain or difficulty during sexual intercourse for whom the use of a vaginal lubricant was recommended. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the FSFI scores, indicating enhanced sexual function (p < .001). Vaginal dryness symptoms, including irritation, dryness, itching, and dyspareunia, significantly decreased after product use (p < .001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study contributes to the limited scientific knowledge on the application of lubricants in the context of symptoms associated with VD. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: In addition to the short study period, inherent limitations of the study design, and lack of placebo control, it is pertinent to acknowledge that some of the pros used in this study were not based on validated questionnaires. However, as far as we know, this study is the only one that analyzes well-being and sexual pleasure as results using a lubricant formulated with hyaluronic acid. CONCLUSION: This tested vaginal lubricant with hyaluronic acid has demonstrated efficacy in improving vaginal dryness and female sexual function, particularly in reducing pain and improving lubrication during sexual intercourse, and showed a favorable safety profile, with minimal and transient adverse events.

Relato de experiência da atuação da fisioterapia em pacientes com psoríase / Experience report of physiotherapy performance in patients with psoriasis

A psoríase é uma condição dermatológica crônica e inflamatória que se manifesta por pápulas ou placas eritematosas na pele, sendo imunomediada e associada a fatores genéticos, ambientais, sociais e psicológicos. Inserida nas psicodermatoses, sua relação com eventos traumáticos e fatores psicossomáticos. A prevalência no Brasil é de 1,31%, com maior incidência no sexo feminino, relacionada a condições ambientais e predisposição. Foi realizado um relato de experiência da atuação da fisioterapia em um hospital público no interior de São Paulo em pacientes com psoríase, no qual pode associar a Psoriase a finalizações de ciclos ou percas e situações psicossomáticas, onde o individuo passa a se abster de participar de atividades e interações em grupo, o consumo de tabaco pode influenciar o processo de renovação celular, consequentemente o tempo de alta médica, é de grande importância a atuação do fisioterapeuta para as orientações do posicionamento adequado e a realização de exercícios que estimulem e auxiliem a cicatrização e o ganho de ADM. Conclui-se que a abordagem terapêutica deve ser multidisciplinar, portanto, não deve se restringir apenas aos aspectos fisiopatológicos, mas também considerar a dimensão física, psicológica e social

Psoriasis is a chronic and inflammatory dermatological condition that manifests itself as erythematous papules or plaques on the skin, being immune-mediated and associated with genetic, environmental, social and psychological factors. Inserted in psychodermatoses, their relationship with traumatic events and psychosomatic factors. The prevalence in Brazil is 1.31%, with a higher incidence in females, related to environmental conditions and predisposition. An experience report was carried out on the performance of physiotherapy in a public hospital in the interior of São Paulo on patients with psoriasis, which can associate Psoriasis with completion of cycles or losses and psychosomatic situations, where the individual starts to abstain from participating in group activities and interactions, tobacco consumption can influence the cell renewal process, consequently the time of medical discharge. The importance of the physiotherapist's intervention is highlighted, providing guidance on appropriate positioning and implementing exercises that stimulate healing and promote gain in range of motion. It is concluded that the therapeutic approach must be multidisciplinary, therefore, it must not be restricted only to pathophysiological aspects, but also consider the physical, psychological and social dimensions.

Relationship between handgrip strength and endogenous hormones in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the endogenous hormonal factors related to dominant handgrip strength (HGS) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 402 postmenopausal women aged 47 to 83 years. The following variables were recorded: age, age at menopause, smoking status, adiposity, HGS, and physical activity. Hormonal parameters (follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, ∆4 androstenedione, insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], vitamin D, and parathormone levels) were measured and results reported as odds ratios (ORs), ß coefficients and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). A directed acyclic graph was used to identify potential confounding variables and was adjusted in the regression model to assess associations between endogenous hormones and HGS. RESULTS: The mean dominant HGS was 22.8 ± 3.7 kg, and 25.6% of women had dynapenia. There were significant differences in plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-1.00), cortisol (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.12), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-1.00) between women with normal HGS and those who presented with dynapenia. After adjusting for confounding variables, no significant association was found between endogenous hormones and HGS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that studied ovarian steroids, adrenal hormones, IGF-1, parathormone, and vitamin D were not associated with HGS.

Prevalence of ocular surface disease symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of ocular surface disease (OSD) symptoms and the possible existence of differences between peri- and postmenopausal women, based on the result of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). METHODS: A transversal observational study based on the results of an e-mail survey between October 2018 and January 2019 involving 1,947 women. The study was performed on a group of peri- and postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 79 years. The personal data in the survey included age, menopause status, age at menopause, prediagnosis of dry eye, undergoing dry eye treatment, and the OSDI questionnaire. Student's t test and Chi squared test were used to compare means or percentages between results on the survey and peri- and postmenopausal women. Finally, a univariate logistic regression was carried out to estimate the prevalence of OSD. The OSDI score is assessed on a scale of 0 to 100. RESULTS: The mean age of the entire sample was 54.2 ±â€Š6.8 years, with a mean age at menopause of 49.45 ±â€Š4.02 years. The mean OSDI score was 29.2 ±â€Š19.4, considered as moderate dry eye. The global prevalence of OSD symptoms was 64% (1,247/1,947), which increased significantly in postmenopausal women, being 66.8% (820/1,228) (P = 0.001). The probability of OSD symptoms prevalence increases with age (odds ratio: 1.02; 95% CI [1.01-1.03]). The greater the age at menopause, the lower the probability of OSD symptoms prevalence (odds ratio: 0.96 95% CI [0.93-0.99]). CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-four percent of the pre- and postmenopausal women studied had OSD symptoms. There was a correlation between OSD symptoms and age, postmenopause, and earlier age at menopause, which was associated with an increased prevalence. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A603.