Effects of long-term fasting on female hormone levels: Ramadan model.

BACKGROUND: Ramadan fasting is a special model of hunger and particularly affects metabolic processes, including carbohydrate and lipid levels. Endocrine changes induced by Ramadan fasting are not well known. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to evaluate the changes in hormone levels in women before and after the special Muslim fasting period of Ramadan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed in 30 healthy women in Obstetrics and Gynecology department during the Ramadan month of2011. Patients during and after the first menstrual period had menstrual cycles fasting blood samples taken on the same days. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone, and prolactin (PRL) levels were determined. RESULTS: Before and during fasting LH, FSH, E2, testosterone and PRL levels were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Despite the limited available studies on these subjects in women, effect of Ramadan fasting on hormone levels were found to be within the normal limits.

A rare complication of vaginal delivery: labial adhesion.

UNLABELLED: Labial adhesions are mostly seen in teenagers and menopausal women, however they may be encountered rarely in the postpartum period. Surgical division under local anesthesia is more effective than topical estrogen. CASE: In this article a young women at the age of 23 years, who gave normal vaginal birth 12 months prior and who had difficulty in coitus because of labial sinechia is reported. During physical examination, an adhesion between right and left labia minora approximately three cm in length was observed. The adhesion was seperated under local anesthesia and the patient was discharged from the hospital on the same day. On postoperative seventh day control, she had neither complaints nor complications. CONCLUSION: Labial adhesions are rarely encountered after normal vaginal childbirth. The most effective treatment of labial sinechia is surgical division under local anesthesia.