Cervicovaginal lavage fluid zinc level as a marker of vaginal atrophy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between cervicovaginal fluid zinc levels and participants' menopausal status and the presence of vulvovaginal symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. METHODS: Women included in the study underwent a pelvic examination, collection of vaginal cytology, and cervicovaginal lavage was performed in a standardized fashion. The cervicovaginal lavage zinc content was determined. The vaginal health index was calculated, and the visual analog scale was obtained based on the participant's burning, itching, vaginal pain, dyspareunia, dryness, and dysuria. RESULTS: One hundred twenty women participated in the study. Eighty-two participants were menopausal. The mean vaginal health index was 15 ±â€Š6, while the total visual analog scale score was 14 ±â€Š14. We found significant differences between cervicovaginal lavage zinc level and age group, menopausal status, presence of vaginal dryness, and vaginal atrophy. We also found a moderate positive correlation between Vaginal Maturation Value and cervicovaginal lavage zinc levels (r = 0.495, P value < 0.01) in the correlation analysis. However, in the multivariate regression model, including all significant factors, only vaginal atrophy remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant association between vaginal atrophy (vaginal maturation value < 50) and cervicovaginal lavage zinc levels. Zinc levels of cervicovaginal lavage could be used as a new marker of vaginal atrophy. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A575.

Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A575.

The effect of oral zinc supplementation on cervicovaginal lavage fluid zinc level.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of oral zinc supplementation on cervicovaginal lavage fluid (CVL) zinc level in pre and postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective interventional cohort study was carried out by the enrollment of twelve premenopausal and ten postmenopausal women without significant gynecological conditions. Women received daily oral supplementation with 30 mg of zinc for two weeks. Clinical and demographic variables were stored in a dedicated database. Vaginal Health Index was calculated, and vaginal cytology was obtained. CVL and serum samples were collected in a standardized fashion before and after completion of the oral supplementation. Zinc and copper levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Paired t-test was used to compare the before and after treatment results. RESULTS: Serum zinc levels increased significantly both in the pre and postmenopausal women (0.88 ± 0.17 vs. 1.06 ± 0.23, p < 0.01 and 0.83 ± 0.24 vs. 0.96 ± 0.33, p < 0.01) after two weeks of daily oral zinc supplementation. CVL zinc level was significantly higher in the premenopausal group compared to the postmenopausal group before and after supplementation (0.13 ± 0.05 vs. 0.06 ± 0.04, p < 0.01 and 0.10 ± 0.03 vs. 0.05 ± 0.01, p < 0.01). Zinc supplementation had no significant impact on the CVL zinc level in either group. Neither serum nor CVL copper levels were affected by the zinc supplementation. There was no significant correlation between serum and CVL zinc or copper levels. CONCLUSION: Daily oral supplementation with 30 mg of zinc had no significant impact on CVL zinc level despite a significant rise in serum zinc level.

Large fetal weight alone in Robson-1 parturients doesn't translate into a risk of Caesarean delivery higher then that of a vaginal birth.

OBJECTIVE: The authors analysed the Caesarean section rate as a function of birth weight among Robson-1 parturients and compared with that among the unselected obstetric population. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of birth weight, maternal height and the route of delivery was carried out in an unselected obstetric population of 26,012 parturients. The authors compared birth weight centile distributions of vaginally, and that of abdominally delivered fetuses between Robson-1 parturients as well as those of the total obstetric population. RESULTS: The 90th birth weight centile of fetuses delivered at 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 weeks gestation were 3960 g, 3960 g, 4000 g, 3950 g, 4000 g and 3820 g, respectively. Among Robson-1 parturients, 677 fetuses weighed >4000 g, and 448 patients (66%) were delivered vaginally. Maternal height did not influence either the birth-weight-percentiles or the Caesarean-rates substantially. Above the birth weight of 4000 g, the Caesarean-rate among Robson-1 parturient rose similarly to that of the total obstetric population. In the knowledge of the most accurately estimated fetal weight, the odds of Caesarean delivery among Robson-1 parturients was not different from that of the total obstetric population. Among pregnancies with fetuses weighing less than 5000 g, the Caesarean-rate was below 50% in both Robson-1 parturients and the total obstetric population of 10 years. CONCLUSION: Even the best possible estimation of fetal weight cannot give a valid reason to downplay the intent of vaginal birth based on the fetal size above 3900 g that would be associated with increased odds of Caesarean delivery.