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*

Gastrointestinal manifestations are common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IpO) is a rare, poorly understood and recently recognized gastrointestinal manifestation of SLE. We report a 26-year-old female with SLE for 3 years. 10 months ago, IpO was diagnosed first, and it was responded well to high-dose steroid therapy. After then, oral prednisolone and azathioprine were administered, but the patient had been lost to follow up until recurrence of IpO. She was admitted with diffuse abdominal pain, distension, frequent vomiting, and intermittent dysuria due to recurrent IpO accompanied with bilateral ureterohydronephrosis. Despite of high dose steroid therapy, her symptom and imaging findings were not improved. The patient was treated with pulses of cyclophosphamide, and then the patient's symptoms and signs were gradually subsided. Three weeks following cyclophosphamide therapy, she was able to eat without vomiting and following abdominal CT showed nearly complete resolution of diffuse intestinal distension and bilateral ureterohydronephrosis. High level of awareness of IpO in SLE and appropriate medical treatment is needed to prevent unnecessary surgical treatment. And if this complication is refractory to corticosteroid, active immunosuppressive therapy, such as cyclophosphamide, should be considered.
Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans

Vascular malformations associated with neoplasms are extremely rare. Herein we report an extraordinary coincidence of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the jejunum. A 44-year-old woman presented with melena and anemia. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a highly vascularized, strong early arterial enhancing soft tissue mass in the jejunum, which was confirmed by angiography to be an AVM supplied by the distal jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery. An emergency operation was performed due to active gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The resected jejunum showed a protruding, mostly solid subserosal mass. The mass was confirmed to be a spindle cell type GIST and was intermingled with the AVM located in the overlying submucosa and muscularis propria. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an AVM associated with a GIST. This case masqueraded radiologically as an AVM alone and presented clinically with GI bleeding.
Female ; Humans

True malignant mixed tumor (carcinosarcoma) of the salivary gland is an extremely rare tumor. By definition, it is a heterologous neoplasm that's composed of both malignant epithelial and mesenchymal components. We report here on a case of an 83 year old female patient with a parotid gland mass. Histologic examination showed a biphasic pattern of growth with both a poorly differentiated epithelial component and a sarcomatous spindle cell background. The immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings support the diagnosis of a small cell neuroendocrine epithelial tumor and an undifferentiated malignant mesenchymal features. The histologic and ultrastructural features along with the immunohistochemical findings are presented. We also review the literature and we discuss the different opinions on the exact histogenesis of the true malignant mixed tumor of the salivary gland. To the best of our knowledge, this histological pattern has not been previously reported in the English medical literature.
Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans

Localized constriction and torsion of the umbilical cord are rare cord abnormalities. The seg- mental absence of Whartion's jelly in the involved area of the cord is believed to be an etiologic factor of the constriction and subsequent torsion. In the past, constriction and torsion were thought to occur after the death of the fetus as a result of maceration. However, recently it has been suggested that the torsion of the constricted area might cause fetal death. We report an autopsy case of a localized constriction and torsion of the umbilical cord in a stillborn baby. The baby was delivered to a 27-year-old primiparous woman after 28 weeks gestation. The fetus was of 24 gestational weeks in size and weight. And the placenta weight was 259 gm. A grossly macerated fetus showed a cystic hygroma in the posterior neck. There were two areas of constriction in the umbilical cord, one at the squamoamniotic junction and the other, 15 cm from the fetal end. Torsions were noted in both constricted areas, more severe than in the mid portion of the cord. Microscopically, the Whartion's jelly was deficient and partly replaced by fibrosis in the constricted areas. It is believed that these two areas of constrictions and torsion are causally related to the intrauterine fetal death in this case.
Female ; Humans