Diagnostic and therapeutic use of oral micronized progesterone in endocrinology.

Progesterone is a natural steroid hormone, while progestins are synthetic molecules. In the female reproductive system, progesterone contributes to the control of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone secretion and their pulsatility, via its receptors on the kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin neurons in the hypothalamus. Progesterone together with estradiol controls the cyclic changes of proliferation and decidualization of the endometrium; exerts anti-mitogenic actions on endometrial epithelial cells; regulates normal menstrual bleeding; contributes to fertilization and pregnancy maintenance; participates in the onset of labor. In addition, it exerts numerous effects on other endocrine systems. Micronized progesterone (MP) is natural progesterone with increased bioavailability, due to its pharmacotechnical micronized structure, which makes it an attractive diagnostic and therapeutic tool. This critical literature review aims to summarize and put forward the potential diagnostic and therapeutic uses of MP in the field of endocrinology. During reproductive life, MP is used for diagnostic purposes in the evaluation of primary or secondary amenorrhea as a challenge test. Moreover, it can be prescribed to women presenting with amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea for induction of withdrawal bleeding, in order to time blood-sampling for diagnostic purposes in early follicular phase. Therapeutically, MP, alone or combined with estrogens, is a useful tool in various endocrine disorders including primary amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding due to disordered ovulation, luteal phase deficiency, premenstrual syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, secondary amenorrhea [functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, premature ovarian insufficiency], perimenopause and menopause. When administrated per os, acting as a neurosteroid directly or through its metabolites, it exerts beneficial effects on brain function such as alleviation of symptoms of anxiety and depression, asw well as of sleep problems, while it improves working memory in peri- and menopausal women. Micronized progesterone preserves full potential of progesterone activity, without presenting many of the side-effects of progestins. Although it has been associated with more frequent drowsiness and dizziness, it can be well tolerated with nocturnal administration. Because of its better safety profile, especially with regard to metabolic ailments, breast cancer risk and veno-thromboembolism risk, MP is the preferred option for individuals with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and of all-cause mortality.

Infertility Improvement after Medical Weight Loss in Women and Men: A Review of the Literature.

Infertility is a modern health problem. Obesity is another expanding health issue associated with chronic diseases among which infertility is also included. This review will focus on the effects of weight loss by medical therapy on fertility regarding reproductive hormonal profile, ovulation rates, time to pregnancy, implantation rates, pregnancy rates, normal embryo development, and live birth rates. We comprised medicine already used for weight loss, such as orlistat and metformin, and emerging medical treatments, such as Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA). Their use is not recommended during a planned pregnancy, and they should be discontinued in such cases. The main outcomes of this literature review are the following: modest weight loss after medication and the duration of the treatment are important factors for fertility improvement. The fecundity outcomes upon which medical-induced weight loss provides significant results are the female reproductive hormonal profile, menstrual cyclicity, ovulation and conception rates, and pregnancy rates. Regarding the male reproductive system, the fertility outcomes that feature significant alterations after medically induced weight loss are as follows: the male reproductive hormonal profile, sperm motility, movement and morphology, weight of reproductive organs, and sexual function. The newer promising GLP-1 RAs show expectations regarding fertility improvement, as they have evidenced encouraging effects on improving ovulation rates and regulating the menstrual cycle. However, more human studies are needed to confirm this. Future research should aim to provide answers about whether medical weight loss therapies affect fertility indirectly through weight loss or by a possible direct action on the reproductive system.

Acute Abdominal Situations as Presenting or Flaring Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Series.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)is a multisystem autoimmune disease, characterized by clinical heterogeneity, ranging from mild to severe, life-threatening manifestations. Although gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently encountered during disease course (mainly associated with complications of medication or infection), primary GI involvement due to SLE is rare. Among variable presentations, lupus abdominal serositis (defined as peritonitis if accompanied by symptoms and signs of acute abdomen) and lupus enteritis/mesenteric vasculitis are causes of SLE-related acute abdominal pain. They occur, although not always, in the context of high disease activity and prompt diagnosis and treatment is necessary due to their potential severe complications. However, the diagnosis of these manifestations remains challenging even for experts, especially in cases of "organ-dominant" lupus flares. Exclusion of these rare manifestations from classification criteria increases the likelihood of misdiagnosis and highlights the inherent limitations of classification criteria when the latter are used for diagnosis. Urgent abdominal computed tomography can lead to a prompt diagnosis of these lupus manifestations, especially characteristic for lupus mesenteric vasculitis. Herein, we describe four cases of patients with lupus flare, presenting with acute abdominal manifestations and highlight the potential complexity of diagnostic approach in such situations.

Haemoperitoneum Due to Spontaneous Rupture of a Liver Metastasis.

Spontaneous rupture of a liver metastasis is a life-threatening complication of metastatic liver disease. Although metastatic liver lesions are much more common than primary tumours, spontaneous rupture of a liver metastasis is rare. Therapeutic decisions must take into account the extent of metastatic liver disease and the patient's performance status. Transarterial embolization may be considered in cases of ongoing haemorrhage despite initial conservative measures. We describe a case of haemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture of a liver metastasis in a 72-year-old patient with carcinoma of unknown origin who responded well to conservative management. LEARNING POINTS: Spontaneous rupture of a liver metastasis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of metastatic cancer to the liver; risk factors include subcapsular location, rapid tumour growth and tumour necrosis (spontaneous or due to chemotherapy).Unexplained fever often precedes the spontaneous rupture, probably reflecting tumour necrosis or infiltration of the liver capsule, and may raise clinical suspicion for the diagnosis.Transarterial embolization may be considered in cases of ongoing haemorrhage despite initial conservative measures.