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Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is an uncommon but serious complication occurring in patients undergoing ovarian stimulation. It is characterized by ovarian enlargement, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain/distension, and reduction in urine output. However, OHSS may rarely evolve into a life-threatening condition with ascites, hemoconcentration and hypercoagulability. Prevention of OHSS consists of an integrated approach that associates behavioral aspects with administration of pharmacological compounds. Among drugs used to manage OHSS, Letrozole has recently been proposed as an effective option for prevention of the syndrome. However, despite the promising findings reported by several studies, to date Letrozole is not yet officially mentioned in the guidelines for “Prevention and Treatment of moderate and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome”. In this scenario, the current study discusses Letrozole approaches scientifically available to prevent OHSS.

Pregnant women affected by Alport syndrome often struggle with worsening of renal function during pregnancy. We focused the attention on the optimal management of the kidney disease in these women in order to avoid maternal‐fetal complications.

Asherman syndrome is a rare acquired clinical condition resulting in the obliteration of the uterine cavity causedby the presence of partial or complete fibrous intrauterine adhesions involving at least two-thirds of the uterine cavity potentially obstructing the internal cervical orifice. Common reported symptoms of the disease are alterations of the menstrual pattern with decreased menstrual bleeding leading up to amenorrhoea and infertility. Hysteroscopy is currently considered the gold standard diagnostic and therapeutic approach for patients with intrauterine adhesions. An integrated approach, including preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative therapeutic measures, however, are warranted owing to the complexity of the syndrome. This review aims to summarize the most recent evidence on the recommended preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative procedures to restore the uterine cavity and a functional endometrium, as well as on the concomitant use of adjuvant therapies to achieve optimal fertility outcomes.

PURPOSE: Does cell loss (CL) after vitrification and warming (V/W) of day 3 embryos have an impact on live birth rate (LBR) and neonatal outcomes? METHOD: This retrospective analysis includes cleavage stage day 3 embryos vitrified/warmed between 2011 and 2018. Only single vitrified/warmed embryo transfers were included. Pre-implantation genetic screening, oocyte donation, and age banking were excluded from the analysis. The sample was divided into two groups: group A (intact embryo after warming) and group B (≤ 50% blastomere loss after warming). RESULTS: On the total embryos (n = 2327), 1953 were fully intact (83.9%, group A) and 374 presented cell damage (16.1%, group B). In group B, 62% (232/374) of the embryos had lost only one cell. Age at cryopreservation, cause of infertility, insemination procedure, and semen origin were comparable between the two groups. The positive hCG rate (30% and 24.3%, respectively, for intact vs CL group, p = 0.028) and LBR (13.7% and 9.4%, respectively, for intact vs CL group, p = 0.023) per warming cycle were significantly higher for intact embryos. However, LBR per positive hCG was equivalent between intact and damaged embryos (45.6% vs 38.5%, respectively, p = 0.2). Newborn measurements (length, weight, and head circumference at birth) were comparable between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the presence of CL is not predictive for LB when adjusting for patients' age. CONCLUSIONS: LBR is significantly higher after transfer of an intact embryo compared to an embryo with CL after warming; however, neonatal outcomes are comparable between the two groups.

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) has gained wide acceptance in several scientific fields. It represents an innovative technological tool providing the experience to be immersed in a non-physical world putting on head-mounted displays that surround the users with images and sounds. To date, VR has been mainly employed in the healthcare sector for educational aims, in order to provide the learners with a new method of delivering simulations. However, its application to real clinical practice has recently generated beneficial effects for patients, especially for those who experience symptoms of psychological burden. Infertile couples often struggle with anxiety and depression which have a strong impact on life quality. Furthermore, the perspective to undergo long treatments with uncertain results and an history of failed attempts may contribute to enhance patients' negative feelings during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles until Embryo Transfer (ET). The role of VR in reducing pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography and oocytes retrieval, has been recently investigated with satisfactory results in terms of reducing pain and anxiety levels. However, to date, inconclusive outcomes have been reported on pregnancy rate. Our study would discuss the existent literature on VR applied to current medical practice and infertility, proposing its beneficial impact on women anxiety during IVF cycle with ET.

Objective The aim of the presented study is to improve the office hysteroscopy success rate identifying some of the factors associated to an unsuccessful procedure. Moreover it would highlight the importance of an adequate patients follow up after office hysteroscopy failure enlightening the uterine pathologies missed at the first attempt. Studydesign This is a retrospective observational study. The Authors reviewed the medical records related to 516 office hysteroscopies performed from January 2016 to November 2018, extrapolating the data from the failed hysteroscopies occurred during this period. After the procedure failure all patients were offered to repeat the hysteroscopy under regional anesthesia in order to identify and treat uterine pathologies. Those patients, who declined to repeat the procedure, received an appropriate follow up. Each failure case is correlated with patient clinical characteristics, indications to hysteroscopy, risk factors presence, hysteroscopy patient compliance, pathology result and patient follow up. Results The presented study shows an office hysteroscopy failure rate of about 12 %. Severe pain due to cervical stenosis, previous uterine surgery, postmenopausal status and marked uterine ventrifixation/retroflexion, represent the main reason why the procedure was not completed in an office setting. The uterine cavity was subsequently examined in only 26 (42 %) out of 62 patients who reported hysteroscopy failure, mostly repeating the procedure under regional anesthesia (24 cases) or performing vaginal hysterectomy for associated benign gynaecological pathology (2 cases). Endometrial malign pathology (endometrioid carcinoma) was diagnosed in 2 cases of them (7.7 %). Moreover the endometrial cavity remained so far unexplored in 36 (58 %) out of 62 patients, due to the patient refuse to repeat the hysteroscopy under anesthesia. Discussion and conclusion Results of the present study suggest that office hysteroscopy should be sussessful at the first attempt due to the patients’ refuse, in majority of cases, to repeat the procedure after a failure. To not repeat the hysteroscopy may lead to lose or delay important diagnosis, such as that of endometrial cancer. In this context, to counsel all patients prior the procedure may singnificanly help to identify those who may benefit of pharmacological cervical softening, local anesthetic injection or small caliber hysteroscopes usage, increasing the procedure success rate.

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-type mucosa outside the uterine cavity. Several theories have been proposed during the last 20 years to explain the disease pathogenesis; however, a unique consensus has not yet been established. Although the most recent pathogenic theory is based on inflammatory causes [1], hormonal influence is certainly involved not only in the endometriosis pathogenesis but also in its development and progression [2].

Purpose The coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has recently spread causing millions of individuals affected globally. The raising mortality rate highlighted the necessity to identify the most susceptible populations, such as pregnant women and their fetuses, in order to protect them. Few studies have been conducted trying to identify maternal-neonatal outcomes among pregnant patients affected by COVID 19. In this scenario, this study aims to analyse poor maternal–neonatal outcomes in pregnant women affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This was a double-centre, 5 months retrospective analysis conducted in Italy. The study population consisted of pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection assessed by Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) nasopharyngeal swabs. Results 145 pregnant women affected by confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Among them, 116 (80%) were symptomatic and 29 (20%) were asymptomatic. Up to half of the patients (n = 111; 76.5%) had a past history of respiratory disease. The mean gestational age at delivery was 36 weeks ± 5 days, while the mean maternal age was 31.5 ± 5.63. Reactive C protein (CRP) serum levels were higher than the normal range corresponding to a mean value of 56.93 ± 49.57 mg/L. The mean interval between the diagnosis of maternal COVID-19 infection and the delivery was 8.5 days. With regard to the type of delivery, the percentage of patients who delivered vaginally was higher than those who experienced a caesarean section. (74.4% vs 25.6%). The percentage of term birth was higher than preterm one (62% vs 38%). Finally, the percentages of maternal and neonatal death were found to be 5% and 6%, respectively; similarly, the percentage of the infection vertical transmission was 5%. Conclusion COVID-19 infection in pregnant women seems to negatively affect both maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, it is important to emphasize that most of the cases of maternal death occurred in patients with severe symptoms and highly altered parameters related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the future, larger studies are warranted in order to validate these findings.

The Asherman’s syndrome occurs mainly as a result of trauma to the gravid uterine cavity determining its partial or complete obliteration with the possibility of cervical canal involvement [1–4]. The development of intrauterine adhesions is associated, in approximately 90% of cases, with intrauterine curettage after pregnancy; therefore, emptying of the uterine cavity after abortion or delivery should be performed gently and preferable under ultrasonic guidance or by hysteroscopy [5].

Low serum testosterone is found in approximately 15% of subfertile men. Although testosterone is essential in spermatogenesis, it is unclear whether low testosterone levels may have a negative impact on the semen parameters of men belonging to infertile couples with a total sperm count greater than 5 million. Furthermore, it is debatable whether the initial evaluation of the subfertile male should include an endocrine assessment. This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study conducted at a tertiary fertility clinic. Male partners of infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), with a total sperm count greater than 5 million, were included. All men provided morning blood samples, and none had been on exogenous testosterone or other relevant medications. Low total testosterone (TT) was defined as &lt, 264 ng/dL. Free T was calculated using TT and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels (nmol/L) by a constant albumin concentration of 43 g/L. In total, 853 patients were included: 116 had low TT (&lt, 264 ng/dL) and 737 had normal TT (&ge, 264 ng/dL). Semen volume, sperm cell count, progressive (A + B) motility and morphology (&ge, 4% strict Kruger) were lower in the low TT group but not significantly different between low and normal TT groups (3.2 &plusmn, 1.79 vs. 3.23 &plusmn, 1.64, p = 0.87, 76.82 &plusmn, 83.18 vs. 67.55 &plusmn, 57.70, p = 0.7, 54.89 &plusmn, 19.45 vs. 56.25 &plusmn, 19.03, p = 0.6, 5.77 &plusmn, 3.23 vs. 6.89 &plusmn, 3.94, p = 0.23). The percentage of patients with below-reference sperm volume (&lt, 1.5 mL), cell count (&lt, 15 &times, 106/mL), motility (A + B) (&lt, 32%) and morphology (&lt, 4%) was higher in the low TT group but not statistically different compared to the normal TT group. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that low TT and free T levels had no significant effect on the aforementioned semen parameters (coefficient: 3.94, 0.88, 1.37, 0.39, p = 0.53, 0.8, 0.3, 0.2, coefficient: 0.001, 0.06, 0.007, 0.0002, p = 0.73, 0.52, 0.85, 0.98). Despite our robust methodological approach, the presence of biases related to retrospective design cannot be excluded. Our findings highlighted the lack of association between low TT levels and semen parameter alterations in male partners of infertile couples undergoing IVF, with a total sperm count greater than 5 million. However, it is important to emphasize that more patients in the low TT group had subnormal semen parameters, albeit the difference was not statistically significant. Larger, prospective studies are warranted in order to validate these findings, as well as to investigate the existence of a TT threshold below which semen parameters might be negatively affected.

Gynaecological cancer management in older people represents a current challenge. Therefore, in the present paper, we aimed to gather all the evidence reported in the literature concerning gynecological cancers in the elderly, illustrating the state of art and the future perspectives. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, IBECS, BIOSIS, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Grey literature (Google Scholar; British Library) from January 1952 to May 2017, using the terms “ovarian cancer”, “endometrial cancer”, “cervical cancer”, “gynecological cancers” combined with ‘elderly’, ‘cancer’, ‘clinical trial’ and ‘geriatric assessment’. The search identified 81 citations, of which 65 were potentially relevant after initial evaluation and met the criteria for inclusion and were analyzed. We divided all included studies into three different issue: “Endometrial cancer”, “Ovarian cancer” and “Cervical cancer”. The present literature review shows that, in spite of the higher burden of comorbidities, elderly patients can also benefit from standard treatment to manage their gynecological cancers. It is important to overcome the common habit of undertreating the elderly patients because they are more fragile and with a lower life expectancy than their younger counterpart. Further trials with elderly women are warranted.

Purpose: The challenge to obtain improved predictive tools, able to identify women destined to develop preeclampsia (PE), is raising the interest of researchers for the attractive chance to allow f...

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by alteration of menses, polycystic ovaries, clinical and or biochemical signs of hyper-androgenism in the context of metabolic abnormalities such as obesity and insulin resistance that play a fundamental role in pathogenesis of the disease as well as in development of long-term complications including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type II diabetes mellitus (DM II). Latest evidence supports the hypothesis of a genetic component in the aetiology of PCOS that seems to be inherited through an oligo-genic mechanism and cluster in families. Recent studies identified the existence of a male PCOS correspondent syndrome in which the genes responsible for PCOS susceptibility in women may be inherited by male relatives of women with PCOS. The same hormonal, clinical and metabolic alterations of women with PCOS have been found in their male relatives suggesting a relation between the syndrome in its male equivalent. Considering clinical manifestations of male PCOS equivalent, the early onset andro-genetic alopecia (AGA) is considered a clinical marker of insulin resistance, supported by the findings of a case-control study that reported an increased prevalence of hyperinsulinemia and insulin-resistance-associated disorders such as dyslipidaemia, hypertension and obesity, in men with early onset of alopecia (

Endometriosis is a very complex condition and has a significant impact on the quality of life, psychological wellbeing and interpersonal relationships of affected women. Endometriosis symptoms progressively impair the woman's ability to carry out some daily activities and result in a perception of worsening health status and overall well-being. The impact of these symptoms has been only partially investigated, and further studies and clinical insights are needed to fully understand the extent of this condition. It has been shown that endometriosis is associated with considerable direct and indirect costs, comparable to those of major worldwide chronic diseases such as diabetes. In addition, endometriosis-related symptoms substantially interfere with the employment of affected women, resulting in many cases in several working days missed. In this scenario, the aim of this narrative review is to provide a general overview of the psychological and social impact of this disease, as well as the effects of different therapeutic options, on quality of life and general well-being.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of office hysteroscopy to diagnose and treat the specific uterine pathologies frequently diagnosed and thought to be associated with female infertility.Using office hysteroscopy, we examined the uterine cavity in women with primary or secondary infertility and evaluated the reproductive outcomes of those affected by one or more pathologies, including cervico-isthmic adhesions, intrauterine polyps and intrauterine adhesions. Additional patient characteristics considered were age and parity, uterine pathology, pain during hysteroscopy, and outcomes including spontaneous pregnancies achieved and time between treatment and pregnancy.Reproductive outcomes of 200 patients affected by one or more uterine pathologies were evaluated. Cervico-isthmic adhesions were the most frequent findings in older women, with nearly 80% of them achieving pregnancy sooner than the others in our study. Spontaneous pregnancy rates following office hysteroscopy were 76%, 53% and 22% in women with cervico-isthmic adhesions, polyps (5 mm) and intrauterine adhesions, respectively.Office hysteroscopy is a feasible and highly effective diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for cervico-isthmic and intrauterine adhesions, as well as for small polyps, allowing the resolution of female infertility related to these pathologies, without trauma and with only minimal discomfort.

Asherman syndrome consists in an acquired condition characterized by the development of fibrous intrauterine adhesions involving until two-thirds of the uterine cavity. Common signs of the syndrome are represented by alterations of regular menses, hypomenorrhea and amenorrhea. Moreover, women affected by Asherman syndrome, often struggle with fertility problems such as difficulty in spontaneous conceiving as well as complications including recurrent pregnancy loss and invasive placentation. The abnormality of the endometrial line consisting in insufficient thickness and/or endometrial trauma damaging the decidua basalis, are characteristic elements of the disease. Several studies have been conducted during the last ten years to find a solution restoring the regular endometrial line solving the fertility issue in Asherman women. Hormonal therapy as well as the use of stem cells seem to represent valid options to regenerate the endometrium opening a new scenario in the fertility treatment of these women. In this context, the presented study proposes an integrated approach to reach an adequate endometrial reconstitution and consequentially optimal fertility outcomes.

Purpose: Women with endometriosis represent a significant proportion of all outpatient gynecological consultations. Endometriosis is a benign chronic condition characterized by the spreading of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. A correlation between endometriosis and infertility has been strongly underlined in the literature about the topic: recent data suggest that up to 50% of women with infertility may suffer from this disease. The aim of this brief commentary is to focus the attention on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for patients with endometriosis, including an accurate psychological and sexological counselling.Materials and Methods: We propose a brief point of view about a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of endometriosis and associated infertility.Results and conclusions: Endometriosis is associated to a worse quality of life. Women with endometriosis also report higher levels of psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. For this reason, an integrative approach is strongly advisable in order to improve social functions and mental health of these women and their partners. This may allow a more correct therapeutic management of these patients, reducing the potential negative impact of the disease on the mental wellbeing of the couple.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder occurring in pregnancy.GDM plays an important role in the current diabetes epidemic: exposure to a high glycemic environment during the early stages of development increases the risk of the fetus to develop type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adult life.Various cardiometabolic risk factors are linked to GDM. A thorough knowledge of the risk factors and genes involved in the development of GDM, along with an understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are crucial to properly identify patients at risk of developing this condition. There is growing evidence showing that myo-inositol, combined with an appropriate therapeutic regimen for GDM, can provide additional benefits to the patient. The aim of this review is to analyze the role of inositol isomers – especially myo-inositol (MYO-INS) – in the treatment of patients with GDM.

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), defined as glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy, represents one of the most common maternal-fetal complications during pregnancy and it is associated with poor perinatal outcomes. To date, GDM is a rising condition over the last decades coinciding with the ongoing epidemic of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Objective: The aim of this review is to discuss the role of diet and nutritional interventions in preventing GDM with the explanation of the special role of myo-inositol (MI) in this matter. Methods: We performed an overview of the most recent literature data on the subject with particular attention to the effectiveness of diet and nutritional interventions in the prevention of GDM with the special role of MI. Results: Nutritional intervention and physical activity before and during pregnancy are mandatory in women affected by GDM. Moreover, the availability of insulin-sensitizers such as different forms of inositol has dramatically changed the scenario, allowing the treatment of several metabolic diseases, such as those related to glucose dysbalance. Although the optimal dose, frequency, and form of MI administration need to be further investigated, diet supplementation with MI appears to be an attractive alternative for the GDM prevention as well as for the reduction of GDM-related complications. Conclusion: More studies should be conducted to prove the most effective nutritional intervention in GDM. Regarding the potential effectiveness of MI, further evidence in multicenter, randomized controlled trials is needed to draw firm conclusions.

We report a case of a 32-year old woman with severe pelvic abscess formation who was readmitted to the hospital after ten days of postoperative caesarean course. The patient had undergone emergency caesarean section (CS) for acute foetal sufferance during expulsive period and following three days had been discharged regularly. Enterococcus Faecalis was isolated from purulent material. A prompt antibiotic therapy was carried out, therefore clinic condition did not improve. A percutaneous Computed Tomography (CT)-guided drainage of the abscess was planned. Under local anesthesia abscess was drained. The hospitalization stay allowed monitoring the patient's clinical condition and laboratory blood panel until normalization of all parameters.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic disease defined by the presence of endometrial-like tissue, glands and stroma in ectopic areas. Among all the pathogenic theories proposed to explain the origin of the disease, a pivotal role for immune, hormonal, and epigenetic disbalances have been hypothesized. Endometriosis affects up to 10%–15% of women in reproductive age and represents one of the most common gynecological causes of severe pelvic pain. The main symptoms reported by patients are dysmenorrhea and deep dyspareunia. Although the histological confirmation has been commonly considered mandatory, to date the possibility offered by the improvement in imagining techniques allows to make a proper diagnosis of the disease in most of the cases. Medical therapy represents only a symptomatic treatment and not the definitive solution. The aim of the hormonal therapy is to abolish the menstrual flow using progestin, oral contraceptives, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists to reduce pelvic pain. Surgical treatment consisting of laparoscopy has the goal of abolishing pain and may be conservative or radical in nature depending on the patients’ desire of spontaneous conception in the future. Radical surgery seems to be associated with a higher percentage of pain relief as well as higher recurrence rates. Due to the worldwide acceptance and the ongoing evolution of minimally invasive surgery to treat both benign and malignant diseases, future investigations may be conducted to consider this approach to save the function of all the organs involved by the disease and to reduce post-operative discomfort and psychological impact.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are anatomical abnormalities consisting in a direct connection between pulmonary arteries and veins. Most of PAVMs are related to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Teleangiectasia, whereas only 10 to 20% are isolated sporadic cases. PAVMs tend to increase in size naturally; however, several factors can influence their growth such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, puberty, and pregnancy. Clinical manifestations are related to the right-to-left shunting and include dyspnoea, hypoxia, and pulmonary hypertension. The presence of PAVMs during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of complications such as their rupture, haemothorax, and hypovolemic shock. The treatment reserved to PAVMs was the surgical resection of the lung lobe involving the malformation. Due to the worldwide acceptance of endovascular technique, the transcatheter embolization (TCE) is today considered as the mainstay of treatment. Recent studies reported the safeness of the TCE during pregnancy if performed by an experienced radiologist, at second or third trimesters when radiation exposure is believed to have minimal effect on the foetus. However, although the TCE during pregnancy represents an option, the treatment prior to pregnancy has to be considered the auspicial solution. Our study reports the case of a dyspnoeic pregnant woman with unknown pAVM causing hemothorax and simultaneously treated for pAVM reparation, left lower lobe resection, and hysterectomy. Postoperative treatment of embolization was performed to definitively close the pAVM.

The term Intrauterine Adhesions (IUA), refers to the presence of synechiae that can lead to a partial or total obliteration of the uterine cavity and to a modification of the normal uterine shape.1...