Effect of Tribulus Terrestris in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Clitoral Vascularization. Results of a Randomized Study Comparing Two Different Dosage Regimes.

We evaluated the efficacy of Tribulus terrestris in two different dosage regimes for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in pre and postmenopausal women and its effect on the vascular resistance of the clitoral artery using Power Doppler. A total of 104 women were randomly assigned to receive 94mg, three times/day (TT3) or 280mg once/day for 90 days (TT1). Evaluation was performed using FSFI and QS-F questionnaires, serum levels of prolactin, TSH, total testosterone and SHBG, and clitoral artery assessment with Power Doppler ultrasound. FSFI results demonstrated an improvement in all domains in both groups (P < 0.05) except for the "Satisfaction" in the TT3 premenopausal group. QS-F results showed a significant improvement in the mean total score in women of both reproductive phases, for both groups. Postmenopausal patients improved in all sexual domains, except for "orgasm" in the TT1 group. PI of the clitoral artery showed no difference in both reproductive phases, in both groups. We conclude that TTerrestris can be a safe alternative for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in pre and postmenopausal women as it is effective in reducing the symptoms with no side effects. Moreover, its use, increased total, free and bioavailable testosterone.

Ovarian response after random-start controlled ovarian stimulation to cryopreserve oocytes in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate COS and oocyte retrieval results in ART treatment cycles initiated at any stage of the menstrual cycle (random start) in cancer patients, who could not postpone the onset of cancer treatment. METHODS: Prospective observational study of 26 women with cancer, with an indication to start cancer treatment within the next 20 days and wishing to preserve their fertility. Ovarian stimulation started immediately with FSH followed by GnRH antagonist for pituitary suppression and GnRH agonist for oocyte maturation. Treatment started from day 1 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle was considered to be in the follicular phase, and that started from day 15 to day 28 was considered to be in the luteal phase. Oocyte retrieval was performed 34 h after GnRH agonist administration. After identification and maturity classification, metaphase II oocytes were cryopreserved using vitrification. RESULTS: A total of 13 women had breast cancer, 4 ovarian cancer, 3 Central Nervous System cancer, 3 endometrial cancer, 2 cervical cancer and one bowel cancer. Thirteen patients started treatment during follicular phase and 13 during luteal phase. We found similar results for the duration of treatment, total dose of follicle stimulating hormone, number of ampoules of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist, mean number of follicles identified at ultrasound on the day of trigger and retrieval, number of aspirated oocytes and Metaphase II oocytes. CONCLUSION: Random-start controlled ovarian stimulation for emergency fertility preservation for minimizing delay in oncologic treatment for cancer patients does not interfere with the number of metaphase II oocytes, and therefore can be routinely used for stimulation followed by cryopreservation.

Birth of a normal child after in vitro fertilization treatment followed by dengue fever.

PURPOSE: Dengue is a serious public health issue due to its escalating aspect. It is also not yet established whether dengue has any impact on the outcome of assisted reproductive technique for infertility treatments. To our knowledge there are no published data in this subject. Therefore we describe a successful case of birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) followed by dengue fever. METHODS: A couple with primary unexplained infertility was submitted to IVF. The patient was submitted to ovulation induction with long protocol. A total of 12 oocytes were retrieved and two embryos were transferred. On the evening of the embryo transfer the patient started with headache and retro-orbital pain, followed by fever and nausea. Two days later she started with vomiting and diarrhea and epistaxis. The tourniquet test was positive. After patient's exams showed hemoconcentration and low platelet count (<50,000/mm(3)) the diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic fever was confirmed and she was hospitalized and parenterally hydrated. As there was a good response to treatment, the patient was discharged the next day. RESULTS: A serum ßhCG concentration 14 days after oocyte retrieval was positive. A healthy infant was born at the thirty-ninth gestational week by cesarean section. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first successful case reported on a patient who had dengue fever immediately after embryo transfer in an IVF treatment cycle. As dengue becomes a public health problem, it is important to bring attention to the subject.