Treatment continuation and satisfaction in women using combined oral contraception with nomegestrol acetate and oestradiol: a multicentre, prospective cohort study (BOLERO).

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine treatment continuation and satisfaction over 1 year among women receiving nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC)/oestradiol (E2) combined oral contraception (COC) in real-world clinical practice.

Methods: The 17β-Estradiol and Nomegestrol Acetate (BOLERO) Study is an observational, non-interventional, prospective, multicentre cohort study of premenopausal women (aged 18-50 years) who received prescription NOMAC/E2 (2.5 mg/1.

Menopause and hormone replacement therapy: the 2017 Recommendations of the Italian Menopause Society.

Over the last decade, the risk benefits ratio of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been reevaluated mainly in tens of cardiovascular risk. Present Consensus Statement is largely inspired by the Global Consensus on Menopausal Hormone Therapy in 2013 and 2016 by leading global menopause societies (The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, The Asia Pacific Menopause Federation, The Endocrine Society, The European Menopause and Andropause Society, The International Menopause Society, The International Osteoporosis Foundation and The North American Menopause Society). The aim of these recommendations is to provide a simple and updated reference on postmenopausal HRT.

Does dienogest influence the inflammatory response of endometriotic cells? A systematic review.

Objective And Design: A systematic review of all literature was done to assess the ability of the progestin dienogest (DNG) to influence the inflammatory response of endometriotic cells.

Main Outcome Measures: In vitro and in vivo studies report an influence of DNG on the inflammatory response in eutopic or ectopic endometrial tissue (animal or human).

Results: After strict inclusion criteria were satisfied, 15 studies were identified that reported a DNG influence on the inflammatory response in endometrial tissue.

The Association between Endometriomas and Ovarian Cancer: Preventive Effect of Inhibiting Ovulation and Menstruation during Reproductive Life.

Although endometriosis frequently involves multiple sites in the pelvis, malignancies associated with this disease are mostly confined to the ovaries, evolving from an endometrioma. Endometriomas present a 2-3-fold increased risk of transformation in clear-cell, endometrioid, and possibly low-grade serous ovarian cancers, but not in mucinous ovarian cancers. These last cancers are, in some aspects, different from the other epithelial ovarian cancers, as they do not appear to be decreased by the inhibition of ovulation and menstruation.

Multinational, multicentre, randomised, open-label study evaluating the impact of a 91-day extended regimen combined oral contraceptive, compared with two 28-day traditional combined oral contraceptives, on haemostatic parameters in healthy women.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of a 91-day extended regimen combined oral contraceptive (150 μg levonorgestrel [LNG]/30 μg ethinylestradiol [EE] for 84 days, followed by 10 μg EE for seven days [Treatment 1]) compared with two traditional 21/7 regimens (21 days 150 μg LNG/30 μg EE [Treatment 2] or 150 μg desogestrel [DSG]/30 μg EE [Treatment 3], both with seven days' hormone free), on several coagulation factors and thrombin formation markers.

Methods: Randomised, open-label, parallel-group comparative study involving healthy women (18-40 years). The primary endpoint was change from baseline in prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) levels over six months.

Modification of body composition and metabolism during oral contraceptives containing non-androgenic progestins in association with estradiol or ethinyl estradiol.

Aim: To observe the influence on metabolism and body composition of two oral contraceptives containing non-androgenic progestins in association with estradiol or ethinyl estradiol (EE).

Study Design: Women on hormonal contraception with estradiol valerate (E2V)/dienogest (DNG) in a quadriphasic regimen (n = 16) or 30 μg EE/2 mg chlormadinone acetate (CMA) (n = 16) in a monophasic regimen were evaluated at the third cycle for modifications in lipoproteins, apoproteins and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and at the sixth cycle for body composition and the markers of bone turnover osteocalcin and C-telopeptide X.

Results: During E2V/DNG lipoprotein, apoproteins and HOMA-IR remained stable.

Effects of the insulin sensitizer pioglitazone on menstrual irregularity, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine cause of menstrual irregularities, hirsutism and acne. Women with PCOS present elevated plasma insulin levels, both fasting and after a glucose load, as an indirect evidence of insulin resistance. PCOS women may also present hypertension, low levels of HDL cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia, visceral obesity and a higher level of CRP and fibrinogen that can predict an atherosclerotic risk.

Age-specific reference values for serum FSH and estradiol levels throughout the reproductive period.

High serum day 3 FSH levels are associated with poor ovarian reserve and reduced fertility, but the interpretation of FSH values according to age is still not univocal. The purpose of this study was to determine age-dependent reference values in women with regular menstrual cycles and FSH as a guide for specialists. The study was performed at the Department of Mother-Infant of a University-based tertiary care centre.

Reference values in ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation throughout the reproductive period.

Abstract The age-related decline in ovarian response to gonadotropins has been well known since the beginning of ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles and has been considered secondary to the age-related decline in ovarian reserve. The objective of this study was to establish reference values and to construct nomograms of ovarian response for any specific age to gonadotropins in IVF/ICSI cycles. We analyzed our database containing information on IVF cycles.

Intensity of menstrual pain and estimated angle of uterine flexion.

Objective: To assess the impact of ultrasound-estimated uterus position on the intensity of pelvic pain.

Design: Descriptive analytical study.

Setting: Tertiary university gynecology unit.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of desogestrel as a female contraceptive.

Introduction: Desogestrel (DSG) is a third-generation 19-nortestosterone derivative progestogen. It is contained in many oral contraceptive preparations, both combined (COCs) to ethinyl-estradiol (EE) or alone in a progestin-only pill (POP). Its principal metabolite (etonogestrel, ETN) is the only progestin used for intravaginal combined contraception and one of the most used for subdermal hormonal contraception.

Modification of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate during contraception with the vaginal ring: a prospective study.

Background: Hypertension is recognized as a major risk factor for coronary, cerebral and renal vascular disease. Hormonal methods of contraception may increase the risk for cardiovascular events. We evaluated whether the combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring that releases 15-mcg ethinylestradiol and 120 mcg of etonogestrel each day influences 24-h ambulatory blood pressure.

Prediction of age at menopause from assessment of ovarian reserve may be improved by using body mass index and smoking status.

Objective: Menopause is the consequence of exhaustion of the ovarian follicular pool. AMH, an indirect hormonal marker of ovarian reserve, has been recently proposed as a predictor for age at menopause. Since BMI and smoking status are relevant independent factors associated with age at menopause we evaluated whether a model including all three of these variables could improve AMH-based prediction of age at menopause.

Individualization of the FSH starting dose in IVF/ICSI cycles using the antral follicle count.

Background: The FSH starting dose is usually chosen according to women's age, anamnesis, clinical criteria and markers of ovarian reserve. Currently used markers include antral follicle count (AFC), which is considered to have a very high performance in predicting ovarian response to FSH. The objective of the present study to elaborate a nomogram based on AFC for the calculation of the appropriate FSH starting dose in IVF cycles.

Polymorphisms in gonadotropin and gonadotropin receptor genes as markers of ovarian reserve and response in in vitro fertilization.

Since gonadotropins are the fundamental hormones that control ovarian activity, genetic polymorphisms may alter gonadal responsiveness to glycoproteins; hence they are important regulators of hormone activity at the target level. The establishment of the pool of primordial follicles takes place during fetal life and is mainly under genetic control. Consequently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gonadotropins and their receptors do not seem to be associated with any significant modification in the endowment of nongrowing follicles in the ovary.

Combined oral contraceptive containing drospirenone does not modify 24-h ambulatory blood pressure but increases heart rate in healthy young women: prospective study.

Background: Hypertension is a primary cardiovascular risk factor. Oral contraceptives (OCs) may increase blood pressure and cardiovascular events. We evaluated whether an OC containing ethynylestradiol (EE) in association with the spironolactone-derived progestin drospirenone (DRSP) influences 24-h ambulatory blood pressure of normotensive women.

Prevalence of menstrual pain in young women: what is dysmenorrhea?

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the frequency of dysmenorrhea, as identified by different definitions, in a population of young women, and to investigate factors associated with this complaint.

Materials And Methods: A final group of 408 young women completed a self-assessment questionnaire. This was a cross-sectional analytical study.

Normal serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in the general female population and the relationship with reproductive history.

Objective: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been evaluated by several groups as a potential novel clinical marker of ovarian reserve. Considering the wide use of AMH measurement in daily clinical practice and the large number of conditions in which it may be used, it is essential to establish reference values in the healthy female population. In this study we aim to calculate the age-by-age normal values of circulating AMH.

Nitric Oxide concentration in endometrial washing throughout the menstrual cycle.

Purpose: Nitric oxide (NO) intrauterine production has been shown to have an important role in the reproductive system in females. The objective of the present study was to evaluate NO concentration in endometrial washing throughout the menstrual cycle.

Methods: Observational study at Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University Hospital.

Second trimester amniocentesis is not a risk factor for very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight.

Objectives. To assess the risk of very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) attributable to second trimester amniocentesis. Methods.

Possibilities and limits of ovarian reserve testing in ART.

Markers of ovarian reserve are associated with ovarian aging as they decline with chronologic age, and hence may predict stages of reproductive aging including the menopause transition. Assessment of ovarian reserve include measurement of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-M�llerian hormone (AMH), and inhibin-B. Ultrasound determination of antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian vascularity and ovarian volume also can have a role.

Periodontal disease and nitric oxide levels in low risk women with preterm labor.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to evaluate the possible association between periodontal disease (PD) and preterm labor (PTL), to assess whether the presence of periodontal disease in women with PTL increases the risk of preterm birth (PTB), and to evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in this possible association.

Study Design: This study included 820 nulligravid women with low risk socioeconomic status: 400 cases with PTL and 420 controls with normal pregnancy, between 25 and 33 weeks+6 days of weeks' gestation. At enrollment, periodontal examination and detection of plasma, gingival and cervical NO levels were performed.

Increased cortisol level: a possible link between climacteric symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: Vasomotor symptoms may increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases through still elusive mechanisms. Increased cortisol release may favor atherosclerosis. In this study, we tested whether vasomotor and psychological symptoms are associated with an increase in cortisol levels.

Hormonal and ultrasound markers of ovarian function in a woman with a balanced 1;11 translocation.

Objective: To present a case of a poor responder woman with a rare balanced autosomal translocation.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Infertility center in a university teaching hospital.