BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive disturbances including insulin resistance, abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, and hyperandrogenism, and is associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The etiology of PCOS is unclear and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in everyday products may play a role by disrupting hormonal pathways. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between exposure to EDC-containing products, sociodemographic factors, and PCOS diagnosis among nonpregnant reproductive-aged women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey assessed the frequency of EDC exposure in homes and workplaces. The Rotterdam Criteria were used for the diagnosis of PCO features with clinical history and ultrasound. The association between PCOS and EDC exposure was determined using Chi-square and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study identified significant sociodemographic factors associated with PCOS (P < 0.001) including age, civil status, and household income. Increased likelihood of PCOS was linked to frequent use of scented candles (odds ratio [OR] = 2.07), cleaning sprays (OR = 2.28), and floor polish (OR = 2.07), exposure to new upholstered furniture (OR = 4.00), thermal receipts (OR = 2.16), and consumption of microwaved and processed foods (OR = 2.60), as well as water sourced from wells (OR = 7.69). Additional associations were found with access to public markets (OR = 0.26) and the use of paper food wrappers (OR = 1.72). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that frequent exposure to EDC-containing products and certain sociodemographic factors may contribute to the development of PCOS among women of reproductive age. Results underscore the importance of reducing exposure to EDCs to prevent or mitigate the development of PCOS and other reproductive consequences.
Female

This paper will focus only on the recommendations or guidelines on the evaluation for female infertility. Most of the recommendations were based on the Fertility Assessment and Treatment for People with Fertility Problems Guideline by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
Human ; Female ; INFERTILITY, FEMALE

No abstract available.
Female ; Female* ; Genitalia, Female* ; Humans ; Incidence*

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans

We experienced a case of submucosal gastric actinomycosis, presenting as bleeding. The 65-year-old woman had a symptom of epigastric pain, without any other intra-abdominal disease entity. A gastrofiberscopic study demonstrated a submucosal mass lesion with bleeding at the fundus. Because of the bleeding, laparotomy was undertaken, and a abscess containing a large mass was found at the gastric fundus, and total gastrectomy undertaken. Histological examination revealed a giant acute ulcer with a submucosal abscess due to actinomycosis. Because of its rarity, submucosal gastric actinomycosis is an entity overlooked by most surgeons. We report upon this case of submucosal gastric actinomycosis and include a review of the literature.
Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: Women with large breasts suffer from both physical embarrassment and physical discomfort. Recently, partially due to socioeconomic development, growing numbers of woman with large breasts have sought reduction surgery, which previously had not been popular in Korea. At this time, a proper evaluation of the operation is required in order to promote the procedure. METHODS: Case files of 60 reduction operations using the inferior pedicle flap method for the reduction of large breasts were clinically reviewed. RESULTS: The patients were aged 19~65 (mean 34.5) years. The primary reasons for surgery were self-consciousness, shoulder/neck/back pain, wet skinfold/eczema and intractable mastalgia. Breast parenchymal pattern analysis by mammography revealed relatively a high frequency of dysplastic change (DY) among women with intractable breast pain, which was nearly entirely relieved by reduction surgery. The nipple-areolar complex were saved with inferior dermal pedicle flaps without any occurrence of necrosis. An average of 350 (range 50~800) grams of tissue from each breast was removed. There were no blood transfusions and significant postoperative complications were rare, although some patients complained of hypertrophic scars. CONCLUSION: Postoperative results were sufficiently satifactory to consider reduction surgery for inappropriately large breasts as a rehabilitative method.
Female ; Humans

A 31-year-old woman was referred to our hospital and diagnosed as overlap syndrome with systemic lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis. After completing the fourth cycle of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, the patient developed acute confusional state with the Glasgow Coma Scale of 7. Considering the lack of response to high dose corticosteroid therapy (methylprednisolone 1 g per day for 3 days), rituximab (500 mg per week) was administered twice. The next day after the administration of the first dose of rituximab, the level of consciousness started to improve and 15 days after rituximab, mental status was fully recovered. The proportion of CD19+ B cells started to decrease within 1 week after the administration of rituximab and remained depleted for 14 weeks. There was also a gradual decrease in serum CD40 and CD80 concentration measured by ELISA up to 4 months. This case suggests the effect of rituximab for the treatment of neuropsychiatric lupus.
Female ; Humans

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a rare, benign mesenchymal tumor of the vulva. Since it was described in 1992 by Fletcher, 15 cases have been reported in literature. We recently experienced a recurred angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva. A 45-year-old woman was presented initially in 1991 with a mass of labium major and local excision of tumor mass had been performed. A histologic diagnosis was made of angiomyxoma, but this diagnosis was revised to angiomyofibroblastoma by the authors. The recurred mass was well circumscribed, measuring 2.5x1.6x1.5cm in dimensions. Microscopically the tumor was characterized by high cellularity, numerous blood vessels(which lack prominent hyalinization), and plump stromal cells. Immunohistochemically, the stromal cells were reactive for vimentin and desmin, but not alpha-smooth muscle actin, or S-100 protein. We thought that this case was a recurred angiomyofibrblastoma of the vulva due to incomplete surgical excision.
Female ; Humans

Arteriovenous malformation of the uterus is rarely encountered. It is potentially lethal because of profuse, uncontrollable bleeding at the time of diagnostic dilatation and curettage. To our knowledge, only 38 cases of localized uterine arteriovenous malformation have been reported in English and Korean literature. Recently we experienced a case of uterine arteriovenous malformation in a 28-year-old multiparous woman. Under the clinical impression of uterine tumors or arteriovenous malformation, a total hysterectomy was done. Gross examination demonstrated a vascular nature of the mass in the posterior wall of the fundus. Microscopically, there was an ill-defined mass composed of numerous irregular, anastomosing large vessels with various diameters.
Female ; Humans

We report a case of alveolar soft part sarcoma(ASPS) of the uterine cervix in a 57-year-old female. She was presented with vaginal bleeding and underwent total hysterectomy. A 1.1cm-sized, polypoid mass was found at the uterine cervix. Microscopically, it had shown an alveolar arrangement of tumor cells and characteristic Periodic acid-Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant, intracytoplasmic granules. Distinct cytoplasmic crystals were found on the ultrastructural examination and tumor cells showed immunoreactivity for smooth muscle actin, myoglobin and neuron-specific enolase, while nonreactive for desmin, vimentin and S-100 protein. Myogenic origin can be suggested with these immunohistochemical results.
Female ; Humans