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*

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder due to lymphocytes infiltrations of the exocrine glands and is clinically characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth. Though Sjogren's syndrome can affect the nervous system, acute transverse myelitis is an extremely rare CNS complication that progresses rapidly, and requires early diagnosis and therapy. Here, we report a 49-year-old female who had primary Sjogren's syndrome that manifested itself as acute transverse myelitis. She presented with motor weakness and hypesthesia of her right lower extremity. During her first attack, MRI of the spine revealed high signal intensities on T2-weighted images in her spinal cord at the levels of C6 through T11. Symptoms improved after 5 days of intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g/day) therapy, but recurred 9 months later. She had another MRI which showed acute transverse myelitis involving the spinal cord at the levels of C2 to T8. Her symptoms remained well controlled with treatment consisting of 5 days of methylpredisolone infusion (1 g/day) and concomitant intravenous cyclophosphamide 750 mg every 4 weeks.
Female ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to compare the cytomorphologic features diagnostic of atypical squamous cells (ASC) in liquid-based preparations (LBPs) and conventional Pap (CP) smears and to cytomorphologically assess the performance of the Cell Scan 1500(TM) in cervical cytology practice. METHODS: Cervicovaginal smears were obtained from 938 women. Two smears were obtained simultaneously from each individual, one for an LBP and the other for a CP smear; the smears were independently examined. ASC was diagnosed in 24 patients, and their samples were cytomorphologically and semiquantitatively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 24 of the 938 women (2.6%) were diagnosed with ASC by one or both methods. Results from LBPs and CP smears were in agreement in 13 of 24 cases of ASC diagnosis (absolute direct agreement, 54.2%; k<0.20; p-value from chi-square test=0.085). Diagnostic features of ASC in the LBPs included squamous cell atypia and atypical squamous metaplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The cellular features diagnostic of ASC present in one preparation can manifest themselves differently in the other. Changes in individual cells, particularly nuclear changes, are the most reliable features for diagnosing ASC. The Cell Scan 1500(TM) processor is more effective at detecting ASC than are CP smears.
Female ; Humans

Cholesteatoma in the kidney and ureter are accumulations of waxy, gray flakes of keratin materials, secondary to squamous metaplasia of the transitional epithelium. Herein, we describe a case of cholesteatoma in the renal pelvis of a 69-year-old woman, and give a brief review of the literature. In the upper pole of the left kidney was a 6 cm cystic lesion filled with a thick, flaky, grayish, comified material. Microscopically, the cystic area showed calyceal and pelvic structures being replaced by keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium. The surrounding renal parenchyma was atrophic with features of chronic pyelonephritis.
Female ; Humans

Leiomyomas are benign tumors of smooth muscle origin and are very rare in the female genital tract. To date, approximately 35 cases of urethral leiomyoma have been reported in the literature. A 34-year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of a mass at the urethral meatus. Physical examination showed 2 x 1.5 cm lump at the urethral meatus, posterior lip. Histologically the tumor was mainly composed of benign cigar shaped smooth muscle izells which were arranged in interlacing fascicles without cellular atypia or mitosis. Immunohistochemistry confirmed leiomyoma with positive staining for vimentin, desmin and muscle specific actin.
Female ; Humans

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a distinctive, hitherto uncharacterized, benign soft tissue tumor of the vulva with histology similar to an aggressive pelvic angiomyxoma. It can be distinguished from an aggressive angiomyxoma by its circumscribed borders, higher cellularity, more numerous blood vessels, the frequent presence of plump stromal cells, minimal stromal mucin, and rarity of erythrocyte extravasation. We experienced a case of angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva occurring in a 45-year-old woman. The lesion was a well-defined but not encapsulated mass, 4.5x4.2 cm. Histologically the mass was characterized by alternating hypercellular and hypocellular edematous zones in which abundant blood vessels were irregularly distributed. Immunohistochemically, the spindled, plump spindled, and oval stromal cells were reactive for vimentin and desmin, but not for cytokeratin, or S-100 protein.
Female ; Humans

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) is a rare autosomal dominative disorder in which one of the neurodegenerative disorders is caused by a CAG repeat expansion on chromosome 14q32.1. The age at onset of disease is related to the size of the expanded CAG repeat. We present the prenatal diagnosis of SCA3 in a woman whose husband was known to carry an unstable CAG repeat expansion in the MJD gene. The diagnosis was made using PCR with a fluorescent probe for an expanded MJD allele. The normal ranges of (CAG)n of SCA3 are 14~38 repeats. The husband, who had a family history of SCA3, has an expanded allele of 69 CAG repeats with a normal allele of 27 repeats. His wife had two normal alleles with 26 and 32 CAG repeats. The fetus had two normal alleles with 26 and 27 CAG repeats; consequently, the baby was healthy. We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of SCA3 using a fluorescent PCR which is rapid and accurate.
Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: Menkes disease is an X-linked recessively inherited disorder caused by the mutation of the ATP7A gene encoding copper-transporting P-type ATPase. The phenotypic features are progressive neurological degeneration, mental retardation, loose skin, and vascular complications. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for the prognosis of Menkes disease. Here, we describe novel mutations of the ATP7A gene and prenatal diagnosis by mutation analysis. METHODS: Five unrelated Korean Menkes patients were included in this study. They presented with depigmented wool-like hair, progressive neurologic deterioration, and hypotonia in infancy. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels were decreased. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed tortuous intracranial vessels. Mutation analysis has been carried out using cDNA from cultured skin fibroblasts or genomic DNA from peripheral leukocytes. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in two cases using chorionic villi samples or amniocytes. RESULTS: Four novel mutations have been identified from four different families; c.3511+1Gfemale heterozygote with p.S624_Q724del mutation of the ATP7A gene. CONCLUSION: We identified 4 novel mutations of the ATP7A gene. Prenatal diagnosis in families at risk is critical in order to choose preventive options including an early treatment with copper-histidine therapy or therapeutic termination. Most mutations of the ATP7A gene were frame-shift mutations and prenatal diagnosis has been successfully carried out.
Female ; Humans