An audit of the role of luteal phase support in frozen embryo natural cycles transfers in a Singapore Hospital (2014-2019)

Introduction The optimization of frozen embryo transfer (FET) protocol has yet to reach a consensus amongst in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinicians. Natural cycle FET and artificial/hormone replacement FET cycles have reported to have similar pregnancy and live birth outcomes. Differences in protocols lie in the use of different progestogens and /or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), by […]

Stress, anxiety and sexuality issues in individuals with lichen sclerosus. The importance of psychosexual approach

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can affect men, women, and children, though it most commonly affects women. While it can impact skin on other parts of the body, it usually affects the skin of the anogenital area [1]. It may lead to sexual and urinary dysfunction in females and males, […]

Combination of non-ablative Er:YAG laser and magnetic stimulation for the treatment of urinary incontinence: A single-arm pilot study

Introduction Urinary incontinence is a common and distressing condition affecting a significant proportion of women worldwide [1,2]. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) involves involuntary urine loss during physical activity or conditions that increase intra-abdominal pressure such as coughing or sneezing. Urge urinary incontinence (UUI) is the inability to hold urine when the urge strikes, while mixed […]

Exercise in pregnancy: The reality of a tertiary hospital in Portugal

Beatriz Ferro, Vanessa Vieira contributed equally to this work. Introduction Physical activity is defined as any movement associated with an energy expenditure above resting levels, including daily activities such as sweeping, mopping, walking the dog, among others. In contrast, physical exercise (PE) refers to planned, structured, and repetitive movements performed with the objective of improving […]

Does copper intrauterine device promote endometriosis?

Introduction Since 2004, the French High Authority for Health has recommended copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) for nulliparous women [1]. However, this recommendation is questionable considering two well-established risk factors for endometriosis. First, heavy menstrual bleeding is a known contributor to endometriosis development [2,3], and copper IUDs are well-documented to increase menstrual blood loss by 50–100% […]

Association between Noonan syndrome and umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunt: a double case report

Introduction Noonan syndrome (NS) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder classified as a RASopathy, characterized by a variable phenotype that includes facial dysmorphism (i.e. low-set – posteriorly rotated ears, webbed neck), congenital heart defects, lymphatic and renal anomalies, and varying degrees of growth and cognitive delay. The incidence is estimated to be between 1 in […]

Extended use of intrauterine balloon tamponade in a case series of patients with life-threatening menorrhagia and miscarriage

Introduction Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common gynecological condition affecting women of reproductive-age, often leading to significant morbidity, including severe anemia, hemodynamic instability, and the need for emergency intervention. While medical management remains the first-line therapy, refractory cases often require procedural interventions such as endometrial ablation or hysterectomy [1]. However, these options are not […]

Marked elevation of CA 19-9 in ovarian teratoma. Should we be worried? A case report

Introduction Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is one of the most common benign ovarian neoplasms, accounting for 10 to 20% of all ovarian tumors. It is typically located in the gonads, though it can also be found in extragonadal sites such as the brain, omentum, retroperitoneum and mediastinum [1,2]. Most cases are unilateral, but approximately 12% […]

Prevalence, risk factors, and quality of life impact of premenstrual syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Introduction Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent disorder characterized by physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms occurring during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), PMS is diagnosed when these symptoms cause measurable functional impairment [1]. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a more severe form, is defined […]

In memoriam: Dr Clara Pelissier-Langbort

Today I would like to pay tribute to Dr Clara Pelissier-Langbort Dr Clara Pelissier was born on 7 December 1933.She died on 22 April 2024. Dr Pelissier was an emblematic personality in gynecology in France and in Europe. In France Clara Pelissier obtained her medical degree in 1964 and her specialization in gynecology in 1967. […]

In memoriam: Professor Xavier Iglesias Guiu

Women’s health, education, humanity: the core of life. On February 6, 2025, died a man of undoubted academic spirit, Professor Xavier Iglesias Guiu. Xavier was the professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Barcelona, full academician of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Catalonia and of the Royal European Academy of Doctors and […]

The plague of insomnia and memory loss: combining magical realism with sleep medicine

The term plague derives from Latin “pestis” and refers to a disease that is contagious, serious and generates increased mortality. It has as synonyms such as epidemic and pestilence. However, pestis is also used in everyday language to indicate that something is harmful, unpleasant, of poor quality, causes problems or presents itself in large quantities. […]

Neuro-anatomy and neuro-physiology of happiness in ageing women

Introduction “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Albert Einstein. During the perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal transition, women commonly complain that emotional lability causes significant deterioration in their wellbeing, resulting in obviously perceived unhappiness. The natural and common response by medical attendants is that the prevailing mood is due to estrogen […]

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: The Spanish Menopause Society (AEEM) and the European Society of Gynecology (ESG) position statement

AEEM Executive Board Pluvio Coronado, Silvia González, Sonia Sánchez, Esther de la Viuda, Ana Rosa Jurado, Jesús Presa, Francisco Quereda. ESG Board of Directors Camil Castelo Branco, Nathalie Chabbert-Buffet, Andrea Genazzani, David Serfaty, Marc Brincat, Angelos Daniilidis, Blazej Meczekalski, Andrea Giannini, Stefano Angioni, Geraldine Brinchant, Žana Bumbulien, Frédéric Chantraine, Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson, Alessandro Genazzani, Attila Jakab, […]

Poor sleep is related to an increased risk of falls and fractures among elder individuals

Introduction A progressive decline in anthropometric characteristics begins in the third decade of life, including bone mass, muscle mass and balance that increases with each subsequent decade [1]. This age-related bone and muscle loss is associated with weakness that significantly increases the risk of physical inactivity, functional limitations, and eventually, falls and bone fractures [2]. […]

Long term tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer patients and imaging signs of adenomyosis

Introduction Adenomyosis is a pathologic condition defined by the presence and growth of endometrial or endometrial-like structures within the myometrium [1]. The advent of imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), has led clinicians and researchers to realize that adenomyosis is not exclusively a pathology of multiparous and elderly women […]

Antenatal features and management of alobar holoprosencephaly: a case study

Introduction Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a rare congenital brain abnormality of the midline, presenting in three forms: alobar, semilobar, and lobar. It results from a defect in the cleavage of the prosencephalon into cerebral hemispheres [1]. It is a rare fetal pathology with significant etiological heterogeneity. It affects one in 15,000 to 16,000 births [2].This pathology […]

Psychological implications of long-term care for women with high-risk pregnancies

Introduction The issue of high-risk pregnancies is gaining importance in high-income, developed countries. This is due to several factors, such as advanced maternal age, the greater spread of assisted reproductive technologies, and an increase in comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases. It is estimated that about 12% of pregnancies are higher-risk [1,2]. A high-risk […]

Perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent cesarean section after the introduction of ERAS-CD protocol elements: preliminary data

Introduction Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most common surgical procedures globally, involving delivering of a newborn via surgical incision through the abdominal wall (laparotomy) and then through the uterus (hysterotomy). Worldwide, 21% of births are via CS. This rate has been increasing, with Italy reporting a 31% rate which is above the European […]

INTRAUTERINE DEVICES: NEW AND FUTURE CONCEPTS

Worldwide, 161 million women aged 15 to 49 use as a contraceptive method of copper or levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD) [1]. Despite this high number of users and the tendency to promote long-acting contraceptives, currently, the available range is rather limited. Also, few future IUD models are expected (Table 1) [2]. On the other hand, […]