The effect of duloxetine on stress urinary incontinence.

Background and Aims: This study aims to evaluate the effect of duloxetine on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) episode frequency (IEF) per week IEF. Methods: In this clinical trial, 100 women aged 20-80 years with urinary incontinence were assessed based on the standard questionnaire of urinary tract disorders. All the patients received a placebo for 2 weeks. Patients were then randomly divided into two groups of 50 patients each, receiving duloxetine (40 mg twice a day for 12 weeks) and placebo. The two groups were compared in terms of IEF and the mean score of quality of life and side effects. Results: The two groups of duloxetine and placebo recipients were matched at the beginning of the study in terms of age, BMI, IEF, parity, and type of delivery. IEF significantly decreased in the duloxetine recipient group compared to the placebo group. The mean score of quality of life in the duloxetine recipient group increased significantly. The rate of study abandonment in the duloxetine recipient group was significantly higher than in the placebo group. Vertigo was the most common complication that caused patients to discontinue the use of the drug. Conclusion: Duloxetine is therapeutically effective for SUI in women. Patients should be provided information regarding potential side effects and their management.

Treatment of genital herpes using olive leaf extract.

Genital herpes is one of the sexually transmitted diseases that is reported with a greater incidence of primary and secondary recurrence. In this study, olive leaf extract was used for its antiviral properties to treat the infection. The randomized-clinical trials using such a therapeutic approach are required in this field.

The effect of corrective and therapeutic exercises on bleeding volume and severe menstrual pain in non-athletic women.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between lumbar lordosis and severe menstrual pain and bleeding for the improvement of the health status in women. This was a quasi-experimental study where the effects of a training program, (based on correctional and therapeutic exercises, on primary dysmenorrhoea and menstrual bleeding in women with hyper-lordosis) was determined. The severity of menstrual pain was evaluated by use of a questionnaire. There was a significant incidence of neurological pain, which was not reduced in the control group (who had no exercise). There was a significant relationship between the severity of menstrual pain and hyper-lordosis. In the intervention group, there was a significant decrease in the severity of menstrual pain following 12 weeks of exercise. Hyper-lordosis can be improved by performing corrective exercises and strengthening the abdominal muscles.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Exercise is positively associated with changes in the menstrual cycle and has beneficial effects on menstruation.What do the results of this study add? This research determines the relationship between lumbar lordosis and severe menstrual pain and the association of severe menstrual bleeding, in order to take effective corrective actions to improve women's health.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Hyper-lordosis can be improved by corrective exercises and strengthening of the abdominal muscles.

Investigating the preventive effect of vitamins C and E on preeclampsia in nulliparous pregnant women.

Objectives Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder associated with pregnancy and is the leading cause of both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Recent reports suggest that free radical-induced endothelial cell injury might be an etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effects of vitamins C and E for the prevention of preeclampsia. Methods This clinical trial was conducted in the year 2018 in the clinical centers of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. One hundred and sixty nulliparous women aged 18-38 years without any risk factors for preeclampsia were divided into two groups. The first group received a 400-IU/day dose of vitamin E orally and a 1000-mg/day dose of vitamin C with iron tablets during 20-24 weeks of pregnancy, while the control group received only iron tablets. Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distribution tables. Results The incidence of preeclampsia in the control group was 17.5% and in the intervention group was 5%, which was significantly different. The mean systolic pressures before and after intervention were 99.43 ± 7.8 and 12.44 ± 19.1, respectively, in the control group, and 99.3 ± 8.3 and 106.12 ± 13.25, respectively, in the intervention group (P < 0.001). The mean diastolic pressures before and after intervention in the control group were 62.7 ± 13.6 and 62.7 ± 4.7 (P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion The results of this study show that vitamins C and E have protective effects against preeclampsia by alleviating the overall blood pressure.

Human immunodeficiency: Extragonadal comorbidities of infertility in women.

INTRODUCTION: Infertility is mediated by several changes system-wide. These changes are likely to cause other systems-related pathologies, such as changes in systemic immune response, particularly inflammatory response can lead to cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer. METHODS: These morbidities can exist immediately or years after the diagnosis of infertility. Therefore, understanding the mechanism is important to move toward therapeutic interventions. RESULTS: Several extragonadal pathologies are reported due to infertility, as well as, how these might also contribute to reproductive disabilities. Detailed evidence are still not present that can give stronger result. CONCLUSION: This review highlights some of the most frequent comorbidities that are seen in infertile women, hence requiring a need for complete clinical screening and care, as well as diagnosis and treatment in early stages.

Application of Stem Cells to Infertility Treatment with Emphasis on Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Ovarian Stem Cells.

Stem cells are a population of undifferentiated cells that originated from embryonic and fetal stages of development. Stem cells possess the potency to produce cells that ultimately form different tissues and organs. They are considered as potential alternative novel therapeutic agents for patients suffering from infertility due to their unlimited source and high differentiation potency. There are several studies that have shown that different types of stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic, endometrial, and ovarian stem cells) can be differentiated into both spermatozoa and oocytes in vitro, proving their potential clinical use in management and cure of infertility issues. Furthermore, mouse model studies have shown that ovarian stem cells, when cultured in vitro, can differentiate into a mature oocyte; however, there are still a lot of debates and complications attached to this concept. In addition, this is yet to be established using human ovarian stem cells, but, if established, would be a novel fertility preservation and treatment technique for women with infertility-related complications. This review gives comprehensive details of the available clinical application of stem cells in infertility treatment.

Embryonic Stem Cells and Infertility.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the ability to differentiate into several cell lineages and self-renew. Through a spontaneous process, ESCs can differentiate into germ cells of various stages, partly due to their self-renewal ability and their microenvironment culture. Human and mouse ESC differentiation into putative primordial germ cells (PGCs) has been demonstrated by several studies; in fact, derivation of functional mouse male gametes has also been reported. However, the exact underlying mechanisms are yet to be understood properly, and as such clinical applications of ESC-derived PGC remains controversial. Nonetheless, this technique can still serve as a potential treatment option for infertility. This review centers on the available reports on the possible application of ESC for infertility treatment.

The reasons for using and not using alternative medicine in Khorramabad women, west of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate reasons for using and not using alternative medicines. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 on women over 18 years of age in Khorramabad, Iran. The subjects were selected by using cluster and simple random sampling method. The data were recorded in a questionnaire that involved questions about the subjects' age, marital status, their opinions on their general health, and advantages and disadvantages of conventional and alternative medicine. RESULTS: Of the 1600 women initially selected, 1551(97%) represented the final sample. The mean age of the participants was 35.04±10.71 years. Overall, 435(28%) spoke of disadvantages of alternative medicine; 277(18%) about the advantages of alternative medicine; 523(34%) about the advantages of conventional treatments; and 316(20%) about the disadvantages of conventional treatments. The most prevalent reason for not using the conventional treatments was the cost factor in 159(50.3%). Trust in physicians 328(62.7%) and distrust in alternative medicine therapists 317(73%) were the most prevalent reasons for using conventional treatments and not using alternative medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Similar studies should be done on the reasons for using and not using each medication of alternative medicines separately.

The effects of fetal gender on serum human chorionic gonadotropin and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fetal sex on serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study and 139 women with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester were studied. Seventy-one pregnancies were uncomplicated; among those were 35 male and 36 female fetuses. Sixty-eight pregnancies were complicated by preeclampsia; among those were 35 male and 33 female fetuses. Human chorionic gonadotropin and total testosterone were measured in maternal peripheral blood. Data analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS: In male-bearing pregnancies, maternal hCG and testosterone serum levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, resp.) in female-bearing pregnancies testosterone levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < 0.001). Total testosterone levels were significantly higher in pregnancies with either gender and significantly higher in mlae-bearing than in female-bearing pregnancies. CONCLUSION: According to our results, there is a correlation between maternal serum hCG and testosterone levels and preeclampsia. Therefore these tests can be used as routine during 30-38 weeks of gestation. High maternal serum concentrations of these markers can predict preeclampsia.

Lipid peroxidation is not associated with adipocytokines in preeclamptic women.

BACKGROUND: The association between lipid peroxidation biomarkers and adipocytokines is hypothesized in preeclampsia but little is known about it. OBJECTIVE: he present study was undertaken to determine the association of lipid peroxidation biomarkers measured by the levels of 8-isoprostane and malondialdehyde with adipocytokines leptin and adiponectin in maternal serum of preeclamptic women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed. The study population consisted of 30 preeclamptic patients and 30 healthy pregnant women. Serum levels of 8-Isoprostane, total leptin and total adiponectin were assessed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. The amount of malondialdehyde was determined by the thiobarbituric acid assay. Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Both 8-Isoprostane and malondialdehyde were significantly higher in preeclamptic group than those in normal pregnant women. Serum levels of leptin were significantly increased in preeclamptic patients compared with normal group, while adiponectin levels were decreased. Serum levels of 8-Isoprostane and malondialdehyde did not show any significant correlation with leptin and adiponectin. CONCLUSION: In preeclamptic women, maternal serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were not correlated with lipid peroxidation.