Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common endocrine disorders occurring during reproductive age, is characterized by ovulatory dysfunction, biochemical or clinical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries.1 Its prevalence ranges from 5% to 10% based on population studies, and largely depends on the diagnostic criteria used, and ethnicity of the population being investigated. PCOS is currently considered a syndrome with metabolic and reproductive consequences that could affect women's health during different stages of reproductive age. There is increasing body of evidence suggesting a negative effect of PCOS on fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Pregnancy Complications ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A case of a two and a half year old girl with a 6 month history of isosexual precocious puberty (thelarche: Tanner stage 2 breasts and menarche) secondary to an estrogenizing pure Sertoli cell tumor of the left ovary is presented. Pre-operative tumor markers AFP, BhCG and CA-125 revealed normal results. Transabdominal ultrasound with color flow mapping and Doppler interrogation revealed a solid left ovarian mass probably malignant. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, left salpingooophorectomy and frozen section revealing sex cord stromal tumor. Paraffin sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin revealed a benign Sertoli cell tumor. Immunostains of the tumor reacted positively for inhibin, calretenin and cytokeratin, but negative for epithelial membrane antigen. Total serum estradiol, prolactin, TSH and LH were elevated prior to surgical operation, with LH and prolactin substantially decreasing four weeks later into the normal prepubertal range. TSH and estradiol levels however have remained very slightly elevated. Serum FSH was at prepubertal levels. Breasts size had likewise regressed to prepubertal size four weeks postoperatively, and the menses never recurred. This is the youngest reported occurrence of this rare sex cord stromal neoplasm in the last 10 years in our institution. The prognosis of this extremely rare tumor presenting at this early juvenile stage is uncertain, and it is recommended to keep a close follow-up and regular endocrinologic investigation until prepubertal values are attained.
SERTOLI ; CELL TUMOR ; ISOSEXUAL ; PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY ; MENARCHE, ; THELARCHE

A 32 year old G2P1 (1011) presented with amenorrhea of 2 years duration. Both sister and grandfather were diagnosed with Pulmonary Tuberculosis 10 years ago and adequately treated for 9 months with quadruple anti-Koch`s medications. Patient presented with no sign nor symptoms highly suspicious for tuberculosis. Physical and Pelvic examinations, complete endocrinologic investigations, chest X-ray and transvaginal ultrasound all revealed normal results. Progesterone challenge test failed to elicit withdrawal bleeding. Hyteroscopy showed a globularly fibrotic endometrial cavity, while endometrial biopsy revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with Langhan`s giant cell typical of genital tuberculosis. She was subsequently started on anti-Koch`s medications for 6 months, with prompt resumption of menses after treatment. Second-look hysteroscopy on readmission showed normal, healthy-looking endometrium with no areas of fibrosis. Repeat endomentrial biopsy revealed benign secretory phase endometrium, with absolutely no evidence of chronic granulomatous inflammation. This paper aimed to underscore the value of hysteroscopy as a vital tool in the work-up amenorrhea, and to demonstrate, using second look hysteroscopy, the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis treatment on the uterine cavity in an amenorrheic woman diagnosed with genital tuberculosis.
Human ; Female ; Adult ; TUBERCULOSIS, FEMALE GENITAL ; AMENORRHEA ; HYSTEROSCOPY

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of metformin and orlistat in terms of reduction in weight or BMI, and improvement of ovulation rates, endocrinologic and lipid profiles, and occurrence of adverse events among overweight or obese women diagnosed with PCOS.

SEARCH METHODS: We searched Medline, OVID, HERDIN, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov for head to head clinical trials of metformin versus orlistat for the treatment of overweight and obese women with PCOS. We also contacted the pharmaceutical companies and did hand-searching to look for related studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomized controlled trials comparing metformin and orlistat as treatment for overweight and obese PCOS women were included. Other inclusion criteria included: trial period of at least 3 months duration, participants, of any ethnicity, 18-40 years old, who are overweight or obese, and studies with or without non-pharmacologic interventions as part of the treatment regimen.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Titles and abstracts identified through the search strategies were screened by two reviewers. Two authors extracted data on publication characteristics, inclusion and exclusion criteria, intervention and co-intervention, primary and secondary outcomes, and details of study design. Two authors assessed the quality and risk bias of each RCT based on random sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of participants, caregivers, and assessors, attrition bias, incomplete outcome data, selective reporting, and publication bias.

MAIN RESULTS: We included 5 RCTs (n=221). Overall, treatment effects of orlistat and metformin showed no significant difference in the following outcomes: ovulation rates (RR 0.78; 95% CI 0.41, 1.49), reduction of BMI (MD -0.47; 95%CI:-1.53,0.59), serum testosterone levels (MD -2.15;95% CI -9.64, 5.33), free androgen index MD 3.26; 95% CI -7.91, 14.43), homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (3.70; 95% CI -6.74, 14.15), fasting insulin (MD 7.86; 95% CI -3.09, 18.81), HDL-C (MD -1.19 ; 95% CI -4.78, 7.16) and triglycerides (MD -1.95; 95% CI -8.81, 4.90). Orlistat was significantly better than metformin in reducing total cholesterol (MD -6.60; 95% CI -10.79, -2.41), and LDL (MD -5.04; 95% CI -9.64, 5.33), free androgen index (MD 3.26; 95% CI -7.91, 14.43), homeostaic model assessment-insulin resistance (3.70; 95% CI -6.74, 14.15), fasting insulin (MD 7.86; 95% CI -3.09, 18.81), HDL-C (MD -1.19 ; 95% CI -4.78, 7.16) and triglycerides (MD -1.95; 95% CI -8.81, 4.90). Orlistat was significantly better than metformin in reducing total cholesterol (MD -6.60; 95% CI -10.79, -2.41), and LDL (MD -5.04); 95% CI  -9.99, -0.09), and had less adverse events (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.14, 0.96).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Metformin and Orlistat have similar effects on weight loss, ovulation rates, and endocrinologic profiles of obese women with PCOS. Orlistat is more effective than metformin in decreasing total cholesterol and LDL -C levels, and has less adverse events than metformin. Therefore, we may recommend orlistat to overweight or obese women with PCOS who also have dyslipidemia. However, caution is given to our interpretations since small sample size, low quality of RCTs, and wide confidence intervals of pooled estimates significantly influence interpretation and recommendations. RCTs with adequately powered study populations are recommended to confirm findings of this review.

Virilization is the masculinization and enhancement of male secondary sexual characteristics in females. The etiology may be of adrenal or ovarian in origin. This case report shows a 46 year old woman who presented with defeminizing and virilizing symptoms. Further laboratory investigations revealed increased serum androgen levels and normal CT scan of the adrenals and kidneys. An ovarian mass was confirmed by transrectal ultrasonography. Following a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingooophorectomy, histopathological and immunohistochemistry studies on the left ovarian mass confirmed an androgen-secreting, steroid-cell tumor, not otherwise specified (NOS). Serum testosterone values abruptly declined to normal levels within 1 month post-surgery. This paper likewise discusses an extensive review of literature regarding this rare ovarian tumor.

Precocious puberty is defined as appearance of secondary sexual characteristics that begins earlier than usual, and may be central or peripheral in origin. It is the physician’s duty to undertake a detailed investigation of the cause of the condition so as not to overlook a potentially correctable pathologic lesion, and prevent long-term somatic and psychosocial consequences in the child. This paper presents a case of 10 year old female with clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory results that point to a possible peripheral type of precocious puberty , and with a huge ovarian mass, which intraoperatively yielded inconclusive histopathologic findings due to massive necrosis. This paper aimed to discuss the possible etiologies for the development of precocious puberty in the index case, and the treatment options for both precocious puberty and ovarian new growth.
Familial Testotoxicosis ; Puberty, Precocious

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer worldwide and the six most common cancer among females. Germ cell tumorbs are the most common ovarian neoplasm in the first two decades of life constituting approximately two-thirds of all ovarian tumors. Malignant germ cell tumors constitute one-third of germ cell origin tutors and two-thirds of all ovarian malignancy in this age-group. This paper presents a case of a 19 year-old nulligravid who presented at the emergency room with abdominal pain, and was intraoperatively diagnosed with yolk sac tutor of the right ovary, stage 1A mature cystic teratoma of the left ovary. She subsequently underwent unilateral salpingooophorectomy and contralateral oophorocystectomy, left. Patient is advised chemotherapy postoperatively, with Bleomycin, Etoposide and Paclitaxel. This paper discusses the incidence, risk factors, prognosis and management of yolk of sac tutor in a young nulligravid.

Background: Premature menopause is a frequently overlooked condition with significant morbidity without timely intervention. Objective: This descriptive study explored the perceptions, concerns, and health-seeking behavior of two women diagnosed with premature menopause, regarding their illness. Methods: Authors interviewed two nulligravid patients less than 30 years old diagnosed with premature menopause. Verbal consent was sought prior to the interview. An interview guide adapted from the Explanatory Model (Kleinman) to probe each patient's perceptions, concerns and health-seeking behaviour regarding PM was used. Data validation was immediately sought after the interview with each patient before analysis. Thematic analysis was used to explore the patients' perceptions (physical, psychological, and social effects of PM) and health-seeking behavior that resulted from these effects. Results: Results showed that vasomotor symptoms, infertility, and treatment costs are important issues for these patients to help them undertsand their illness. The neglected role of physicians in fully disclosing the effects of the disease is highlighted in one patient that hindered her from making informed choices for treatment. The behavioural responses of these patients were influenced by the following factors: ability to make informed decisions over disease management, degree of disruption of activities of daily living, infertility, amount of social and financial support. Conclusion Looking at the underlying motivations of women diagnosed with premature menopause about their illness may help physicians better understand patients' circumstances, how it affects them and their families, and their expected recovery process.
Health Behavior ; Iatrogenic Disease

Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) indicated for the medical treatment of myoma. Several theoretical mechanisms help explain how it induces apoptosis and cystic degeneration of a submucous myoma, leading to its expulsion. This paper presents the case of a young nulligravid diagnosed with heavy menstrual bleeding secondary to submucous myoma, who was started on UPA treatment but with very poor compliance. Despite the very short and incomplete course of treatment, degenerative changes still took effect, which led to the expulsion or prolapse of the pedunculated submucous myoma.
ulipristal acetate ; Norpregnadienes ; Leiomyoma ; Apoptosis ; Uterus

The use of hormonal contraceptives in a breastfeeding patient has been questioned by breastfeeding advocates. Their fear was that hormonal contraceptives will affect the milk production of the patient. This review of literature showed that progestins do not affect breastmilk supply whether it is the progestin only pill (POP), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) or the etonogestrel implant (ENG). The timing of administration of the progesterone derivative contraceptive method also does not affect milk production, whether immediately postpartum (within 48 hrs after delivery) or delayed (4 - 6 weeks postpartum). With this in mind, clinicians may safely advise these to breastfeeding patients to prevent unplanned pregnancies.