Sexual Health Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: A novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic levels by March 11th, 2020, with a destructive impact across socioeconomic domains and all facets of global health, but little is known of its impact on sexual health. OBJECTIVE: To review current knowledge on sexual health-related containment measures during pandemics, specifically COVID-19, and focus on 2 main areas: intimacy and relational dynamics and clinical effects on sexual health. METHODS: We carried out a literature search encompassing sexual health and pandemic issues using Entrez-PubMed and Google Scholar. We reviewed the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual health regarding transmission and safe sex practices, pregnancy, dating and intimacy amid the pandemic, benefits of sex, and impact on sexual dysfunctions. RESULTS: Coronavirus transmission occurs via inhalation and touching infected surfaces. Currently, there is no evidence it is sexually transmitted, but there are sexual behaviors that pose a higher risk of infectivity due to asymptomatic carriers. Nonmonogamy plays a key role in transmission hubs. New dating possibilities and intimacy issues are highlighted. Sexual activity has a positive impact on the immune response, psychological health, and cognitive function and could mitigate psychosocial stressors. COVID-19 pandemic affects indirectly the sexual function with implications on overall health. CONCLUSION: Increased awareness of health-care providers on sexual health implications related to the COVID-19 pandemic is needed. Telemedicine has an imperative role in allowing continued support at times of lockdown and preventing worsening of the sexual, mental, and physical health after the pandemic. This is a broad overview addressing sexual issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As this is an unprecedented global situation, little is known on sexuality related to pandemics. Original research is needed on the topic to increase the understanding of the impact the current pandemic may have on sexual health and function. Pennanen-Iire C, Prereira-Lourenço M, Padoa A, et al. Sexual Health Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic. Sex Med Rev 2021;9:3-14.

Urethral Prolapse: A Case Series and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Urethral mucosal prolapse is most frequently seen in children and postmenopausal women, and extremely rare in young adult patients. In this context, we aim to describe our experience with this condition and compare our findings with the literature. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of our outpatient micturition disorders clinic (between August 2014 and April 2017) for patients with a diagnosis of urethral mucosal prolapse, seeking to evaluate their demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: We found 12 cases of urethral mucosal prolapse, including a mother and daughter and a reproductive-aged patient. Presenting symptoms included bleeding, urinary retention, partially thrombosed mucosa, and pain. Misdiagnosis was common and caused treatment delay, even in some very symptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: Urethral mucosal prolapse is a readily diagnosed condition and often associated with complications in our series. Proper diagnosis is key to successful, timely treatment. Descriptive studies such as this are important to raise awareness of this diagnosis and improve patient care.

Experimentação de fumo em estudantes do ensino fundamental e médio de área urbana na região sul do Brasil / Tobacco experimentation in students from elementary and high school in urban residential area in south regions of Brazil

O fumo é droga utilizada mundialmente e considerada pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (1985) como a principal causa de enfermidades evitáveis e incapacitantes. Estudo realizado com 5.057 alunos de escolas públicas e privadas que preencheram questionário auto-aplicável e anônimo. A prevalência da experimentação mostrou-se alta entre os escolares 36,2 por cento (1827). A faixa etária de experimentação foi de 14 a 16 anos, perfazendo um total de 53,6 por cento (936). Referiram já ter experimentado essa substância 1.732 alunos sendo 54,4 por cento (943) estudantes do sexo feminino e 45,6 por cento (789) do sexo masculino. O estudo demonstrou inicio precoce do comportamento para o tabagismo, especialmente quando as relações familiares estavam fragilizadas. Os resultados indicaram a necessidade de ações conjuntas com envolvimento da escola, família e sociedade, objetivando a prevenção da experimentação do fumo e conseqüentemente do uso e abuso. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo - RS, Brasil.(AU)

The tobacco is a drug used globally and considered by the World Organization of Health (1985) as the main cause of avoidable illnesses and disabled. This study was accomplished with 5.057 students of public and private schools that filled out solemnity-applicable and anonymous questionnaire. The prevalence of the experimentation was shown elevated among the students 36,2 percent (1827). The students’ age group which more tried tobacco was from 14 to 16 years, completing a total of 53,6 percent (936). This substance has been tried among 1732 students being 54,4 percent (943) female students and 45,6 percent (789) male. The study demonstrated a precocious beginning of the behavior for the tobaccoism, especially when the family relationships were fragile. The pointed results indicated the need of united actions with involvement of the school, family and society, aiming at the prevention of the experimentation of the tobacco and consequently of its use and abuse. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics of Passo Fundo University, Passo Fundo - RS, Brazil.(AU)

Prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in 13- to 14-year-old schoolchildren from southern Brazil.

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in schoolchildren from southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out with the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood phase III written questionnaire. The questionnaire was self-applied by 2,948 randomly selected schoolchildren aged 13 to 14 years. The lifetime prevalence rates of symptoms were as follows: wheezing, 40.8%; rhinitis, 40.7%; eczema, 13.6%; self-reported asthma, 14.6%; rhinitis, 31.4%; eczema, 13.4%. Rhinitis was reported by 55% of adolescents with current asthma (60% females vs 46.9% males). Girls 13 to 14 years of age had higher prevalence rates of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema than boys had. Atopic eczema was reported by 42.7% of girls and 31.4% of boys with asthma. The prevalence rates were statistically significant for symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in females. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the sexes in regard to reported asthma and bronchospasm induced by exercise.