The changing trends of pregnancy rate among patients seen at a fertility center from 2009-2010

This is a retrospective descriptive study (chart review) which illustrates current demographic trends in patients seeking in vitro fertilization (IVF) consultations and treatment in the first IVF center in the Philippines. Age, occupation, place of residence, religious background, cause of infertility problems of patients seen in 2009-2010 were compared between young patients (defined as those below 40 years old) and those 40 years old and above. Success rates were also compared between the two groups. Trends in these demographics were compared to patient characteristics seen during the center's infancy. Potential reasons for these were then explored.

A life threatening complication of an imperforate hymen : a case report

A not so benign disease of imperforate hymen in a 20 year old who presented with acute hypogastric pain will be discussed. The diagnosis of an imperforate hymen should be made during routine neonatal pediatric examination. However, it is not unusual to see a teenage girl present with typical findings of cyclic adominal pain, urinary retention, constipation and a bulging introital mass with hematocolpos and hematometra on ultrasounds examination. Additional findings may include hematosalpinges and formation of endometrial cysts with severe pelvic adgesions. Conservative management generally includes hymenectomy with drainage of the blood and antibiotic therapy. Patients are generally discharged after 24 hours or the procedure is done as an outpatient basis with oral pain medications given. However in our case, the dilemma in terms of management of conservative versus aggressive surgery was encountered. Our patient was only 20 years old presenting with primary amenorrhea and cyclic dysmenorrhea for 7 years with the possibility of a pelvic "clean up" and the problems of premature menopause and infertility were at the back of our minds. A greater awareness of this complication should prompt clinicians to consider this entity when dealing with cases such as this one.