Estudiantes universitarias nuligestas en edad fértil y su postura acerca de posibles vías del parto / Nuligest university students of childbearing age and their position about possible ways of delivery

Resumen Introducción: Tanto a nivel sudamericano como mundial, el incremento de la tasa de cesáreas electivas ha sido abrumante. Esto se considera un problema de salud pública, ya que el parto vaginal es la vía más fisiológica para el nacimiento y trae beneficios de salud para la madre y el recién nacido, tanto inmediatos como a futuro. Objetivo: Evaluar la postura de mujeres nuligestas en edad fértil acerca de las vías del parto a través de sus conocimientos, percepciones y preferencias. Método: Estudio de corte transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta a estudiantes universitarias para la recopilación de datos mediante SPSS, y análisis con prueba de diferencias de proporciones y de χ2. Resultados: 210 mujeres encuestadas. Un 80% de ellas desconoce la menor morbilidad infantil asociada a un parto vaginal, más de la mitad estima una ventaja de la cesárea que evite el dolor y un gran porcentaje desconoce los riesgos médicos asociados a la cesárea. Conclusiones: Existe un alto nivel de desconocimiento respecto a beneficios, riesgos y consecuencias de las diferentes vías del parto.

Abstract Introduction: Both in South America and worldwide, the increase in the rate of elective caesarean sections has been overwhelming. This is considered a public health problem, since vaginal delivery is the most physiological route for birth and brings health benefits for the mother and the newborn, immediately and in the future. Objective: To evaluate the position of nulliparous women of childbearing age regarding the delivery pathways through their knowledge, perceptions, and preferences. Method: Cross-sectional study with an analytical component. A survey was applied to university students for data collection through SPSS, and analysis was made with the difference of proportions and χ2 test. Results: 210 women surveyed; 80% of them are unaware of the lower infant morbidity associated with a vaginal delivery, more than a half estimate an advantage of a cesarean section that it avoids pain, and a large percentage are unaware of the medical risks associated with cesarean sections. Conclusions: There is a high level of ignorance regarding the benefits, risks and consequences of the different delivery routes.

Predictors of severe pain during insertion of the levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine system among nulligravid women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with severe pain with levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine system (IUS) placement among nulligravid women. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a secondary analysis of a randomized trial that evaluated intracervical anesthesia before IUS insertion. We assessed factors associated with severe pain (visual analog scale pain score ≥7) immediately after insertion using bivariate and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 137/300 (45.7%) subjects reported severe pain. In multiple regression analysis, only intracervical anesthesia [RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37-0.80] and a history of dysmenorrhea [RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.08-1.72)] were associated with severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: Among nulligravid women, a history of dysmenorrhea increases, and intracervical block decreases severe pain during levonorgestrel IUS insertion. IMPLICATIONS: Dysmenorrhea increases the risk of severe pain at levonorgestrel intrauterine system insertion, while receiving an intracervical lidocaine block decreases this risk. This information can be useful for counseling women prior to device placement and for selecting candidates who may particularly benefit from interventions to reduce pain.

Intracervical block for levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system placement among nulligravid women: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fear of pain during the insertion of intrauterine contraceptives is a barrier to using these methods, especially for nulligravidas. An intracervical block may be easier and more reproducible than a paracervical block; however, this intervention has not been evaluated in nulligravid women to reduce pain with intrauterine contraceptive insertion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a 3.6-mL 2% lidocaine intracervical block reduces pain at tenaculum placement and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion among nulligravidas; and, in addition, to assess whether the intracervical block has any effect on the ease of device insertion and on the overall experience with the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, nulligravidas were block-randomized to 1 of 3 arms prior to 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion: 3.6-mL 2%-lidocaine intracervical block, sham injection (intracervical dry-needling), or no intervention. The primary outcome was pain at levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion. Secondary outcomes were pain at tenaculum placement, ease of insertion (assessed by healthcare providers), and the overall experience with the procedure (pain with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion compared with expectations, discomfort level, wish to undergo another device insertion in the future, and recommendation of the procedure to others). Participants' pain was measured with a 10-cm visual analogue scale and a 5-point Faces Pain Scale. Pain was summarized into categories (none, mild, moderate, severe) and also analyzed as a continuous variable (mean and 95% confidence interval). Our sample size had 80% power (α = 0.05) to detect a 15% difference in pain score measured by visual analogue scale (mean [standard deviation] visual analogue scale score = 5.9 [2.0] cm) and an absolute difference of 20% in the proportion of women reporting severe pain at levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion among groups. We used a χ2 test and a mixed-effects linear regression model. We calculated the number needed to treat for the intracervical block to avert severe pain at tenaculum placement and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion. RESULTS: A total of 302 women were randomized (99 to the intracervical block, 101 to the intracervical sham, and 102 to no intervention), and 300 had a successful device insertion. The intracervical block group had fewer women reporting severe pain than the other groups, both at tenaculum placement (intracervical block: 2% vs sham: 30.2% vs no intervention: 15.2%, P < .0001) and at levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion (intracervical block: 26.5% vs sham: 59.4% vs no intervention: 50.5%, P < .0001). The mean (95% confidence interval) pain score reported at levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion was lower in the intracervical block group than in the other groups (intracervical block: 4.3 [3.8-4.9] vs sham: 6.6 [6.2-7.0], P < .0001; intracervical block: 4.3 [3.8-4.9] vs no intervention: 5.8 [5.3-6.4], P < .0001). Women from the intracervical block group reported less pain than expected (P < .0001), rated the insertion as less uncomfortable (P < .0001), and were more willing to undergo another device insertion in the future (P < .01) than women in the other groups. The ease of insertion were similar among groups. The number needed to treat for the intracervical block to avert severe pain at tenaculum placement and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion was 2 and 4, respectively. CONCLUSION: A 3.6-mL 2% lidocaine intracervical block decreased pain at tenaculum placement and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion among nulligravidas. It also provided a better overall experience during the procedure.

Subclinical cardiac stiffness is associated with arterial stiffness in healthy young nulligravid women: Potential links to preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia is an independent risk factor for subsequent cardiovascular disease and diastolic dysfunction and has been linked to arterial stiffness. We hypothesized that arterial stiffness would be associated with echocardiographic markers of diastolic dysfunction in healthy nulligravid women. STUDY DESIGN: 31 healthy nulligravid women underwent assessment of peripheral arterial stiffness via aorto-femoral pulse wave velocity, popliteal distensibility and ß stiffness measures as well as hemodynamic response to volume challenge. 22 underwent cardiac assessment via conventional and stress echocardiography with a focus on diastolic function utilizing tissue/pulse wave Doppler imaging and 3D speckle tracking. Bivariate associations between variables were evaluated using correlation coefficients (Pearson r) and Student's t-tests. RESULTS: No participants had echocardiographic values meeting criteria for overt diastolic dysfunction. Baseline global circumferential strain was significantly correlated with distensibility and ß stiffness (n = 18, r = -0.61, p = 0.007, n = 18, r = 0.56, p = 0.01). Peak deceleration time was correlated with ßstiffness (n = 9; r = 0.80, p = 0.01). Pulse wave velocity was not significantly correlated with cardiac measures (p > 0.05). Family history of a first or second degree relative with myocardial infarction or hypertension was associated with decreased popliteal artery distensibility (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy nulligravid women there is evidence that markers of decreased left ventricular relaxation are associated with increased peripheral vascular stiffness as is a family history of myocardial infarction or hypertension. These findings raise the possibility that the diastolic dysfunction and arterial stiffness observed in the setting of preeclampsia are driven by underlying properties present prior to pregnancy and contribute to lifetime cardiovascular risk.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence in nulliparous female sportswomen: A systematic review.

Urinary incontinence is the complaint of involuntary loss of urine and is a social and hygienic problem. While pregnancy and delivery have been described as etiological factors, observational studies show that urinary incontinence is also prevalent in nulliparous female athletes. Therefore, the general belief that physically fit women have stronger pelvic floor muscles preventing them from developing urinary incontinence may be questioned. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies investigating the prevalence of urinary incontinence in nulliparous female athletes. The electronic databases Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for eligible studies. Two independent researchers assessed the quality of the included studies and extracted the data in a standardised data extraction spreadsheet. Twenty-three studies were included in this systematic review. The urinary incontinence prevalence measured during sport activity varied from 5.7% to 80%. Urinary incontinence prevalence differs based on the type of sport. Trampolinists were found to have the highest prevalence of urinary incontinence. The findings suggest that urinary incontinence occurs often in female athletes, especially those involved in high impact sports. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms by which high impact sport activities may affect pelvic floor muscles leading to the development of urinary incontinence.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence in nulliparous adolescent and middle-aged women and the associated risk factors: A systematic review.

Urinary incontinence (UI) has been defined as the complaint of involuntary loss of urine. There is a general belief that UI is experienced almost exclusively by the elderly and women who have given birth. However, epidemiological studies report that young women who are nulliparous also experience UI. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies investigating the prevalence of UI in nulliparous adolescent and middle-aged women and to provide an overview of risk factors associated with UI. The electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for eligible studies. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined a priori. The selected studies were reviewed and data extraction was carried out by the reviewers. Two independent researchers assessed the quality of the included studies. Eighteen studies were included in this systematic review. UI prevalence estimates varied from 1% to 42.2%. Among the women with UI of any type, 12.5% to 79% had stress urinary incontinence. BMI, childhood enuresis, and high-impact exercising were found to be the main associated risk factors. Understanding the effect of the risk factors on the pelvic floor will enable us to implement preventive strategies and advise appropriately on the prevention of UI.

Menstrual characteristics and ultrasonographic uterine cavity measurements predict bleeding and pain in nulligravid women using intrauterine contraception.

STUDY QUESTION: Is small uterine cavity size as assessed by ultrasonography associated with bleeding problems or pain in nulligravid women using intrauterine contraception, or do other factors affect these parameters? SUMMARY ANSWER: Among levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users, small uterine cavity size is not associated with worsened clinical outcome, but is beneficial as women with the smallest cavity measurements were frequently amenorrhoeic and painless at the end of the first year but among copper intrauterine device (IUD) users, no associations between uterine cavity dimensions and clinical outcome were found. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Nulligravid and nulliparous women have smaller uterine dimensions than parous women. Previously, many studies have revealed increased discontinuation rates of IUD use as a result of bleeding, pain or expulsion in these women, while recent studies with current models of IUS/IUDs indicate similar continuation and satisfaction rates irrespective of parity. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: In a pilot study, 165 adult nulligravid women requesting their first IUD between 1 January 2011 and 31 July 2012 were given a free choice between two IUDs with equal frames measuring 32 × 32 mm-the LNG-IUS 52 mg or a copper-releasing IUD. The women were followed for 1 year. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIAL, SETTING, METHODS: The LNG-IUS was chosen by 113 women (68.5%) and the copper IUD by 52 (31.5%). Prior to insertion the women were interviewed concerning their menstrual characteristics and uterine cavity size was measured by 2-D ultrasonography. After insertion the women kept daily records of bleeding and pain for two reference periods of 90 days during the first year (Months 1-3 and 10-12). The correlation between uterine cavity measurements and numbers of days of bleeding/spotting and pain during the reference periods was analysed. Continuation rates were assessed and reasons for discontinuation as well as the effects of baseline participant characteristics on outcomes were analysed in regression models. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Both uterine cavity size and baseline menstrual characteristics prior to IUD insertion predicted the numbers of days of bleeding/spotting and pain in LNG-IUS users. Women with small uterine cavity dimensions reported less bleeding/spotting in both reference periods and less pain in the second reference period compared with women with larger dimensions. Baseline scanty spontaneous menstrual bleeding prior to LNG-IUS use (OR 9.4, 95% CI 1.7-51.8, P = 0.01) and smoking (OR 7.8, 95% CI 1.8-33.8, P = 0.006) predicted amenorrhoea in the second reference period. Women with baseline dysmenorrhoea reported more pain with both IUDs. Continuation rates and reasons for discontinuation were similar with both IUDs. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: No sample size could be calculated to estimate the power as this was a pilot study. As the majority of women chose the LNG-IUS we did not achieve our initial aim of equally sized IUD groups and thus the size of the copper IUD group may have been insufficient to detect differences. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: These data further encourage promotion of intrauterine contraception among nulligravid women. Routine use of ultrasonography to assess uterine cavity dimensions prior to IUD insertion is not indicated. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Supported by Helsinki University Central Hospital research funds, the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland and Finska Läkaresällskapet, who provided funds for J.K. O.H. serves on advisory boards for Bayer Healthcare, Gedeon Richter and MSD Finland (part of Merck & Co. Inc.) and has designed educational events with these companies. S.S. has lectured in educational events at Bayer and MSD Finland (part of Merck & Co. Inc.) and is a member of the Advisory Board for Contraception at MSD Finland. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01685164.

Transvaginal sonographic features of diffuse adenomyosis in 18-30-year-old nulligravid women without endometriosis: association with symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there are sonographic features of diffuse adenomyosis in 18-30-year-old nulligravid women without endometriosis and to examine their association with symptoms of dysmenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study including women referred from a gynecology outpatient center to our university hospital for ultrasound examination. Inclusion criteria were age between 18 and 30 years, regular menstrual cycle and nulligravid status. Exclusion criteria were a past or current history of endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts or lesions, endometrial pathology, current use of hormonal treatments or medications that would affect the menstrual cycle, previous uterine surgery and history of infertility. Women underwent a detailed clinical assessment and a two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) examination. 2D-TVS features associated with diffuse adenomyosis were predefined as: (1) heterogeneous myometrium; (2) hypoechoic striation in the myometrium; (3) myometrial anechoic lacunae or cysts; (4) asymmetrical myometrial thickening of the uterine walls with the presence of straight vessels, extending into the hypertrophic myometrium, on power Doppler examination. On 3D-TVS, endomyometrial junctional zone (JZ) was measured as the distance from the basal endometrium to the internal layer of the outer myometrium on coronal section at any level of the uterus, and the smallest (JZmin) and largest (JZmax) JZ thicknesses and their difference (JZdiff) were recorded. 3D-TVS evaluation was considered suggestive for adenomyosis when JZmax ≥ 8 mm and/or JZdiff ≥ 4 mm. The presence of associated symptomatology represented our main outcome: the amount of menstrual loss was assessed by a pictorial blood loss analysis chart (PBAC) and painful symptoms were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: During the observation period, 205 women (median age, 24 (interquartile range, 23-27) years) were enrolled into the study and 156 met the inclusion criteria. According to the 2D-TVS criteria, diffuse adenomyosis was found in 53 (34.0%) women and asymmetrical myometrial thickening of the uterine walls was the most common sonographic feature observed. ANOVA showed a significant relationship between the number of 2D-TVS features of diffuse adenomyosis and VAS score for dysmenorrhea (P = 0.005) as well as PBAC score for menstrual loss (P = 0.03). 3D-TVS showed that women with 2D-TVS features of diffuse adenomyosis had a significantly higher value of JZmax (6.38 ± 2.30 mm, P < 0.001), JZmin (2.07 ± 0.43 mm, P = 0.002) and JZdiff (4.33 ± 1.99 mm, P < 0.001) than did women without these features. Women with sonographic features of diffuse adenomyosis were symptomatic in 83% of cases, reported dysmenorrhea in 79.2% and showed a higher incidence of heavy bleeding than did those without these features (18.9% vs 2.9%; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic features suggestive of diffuse adenomyosis may develop earlier in reproductive life than previously thought, and may occur in association with dysmenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding in nulligravid women. Their observation in these women should therefore warrant further gynecological investigation.

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor and its diagnostic dilemmas: A rare case report.

►This case is an unusual presentation of a rare disease entity. ►The diagnosis of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor can be challenging resulting in delay in diagnosis. ►Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor can have a very aggressive course, especially in metastatic disease.