Menopause Ecab

Menopause is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Stages of Reproductive Ageing and Workshop (STRAW) working group as the permanent cessation of menstrual periods that occurs naturally or is induced by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Natural menopause is recognized after 12 consecutive months without menstrual periods that are not associated with other causes. Although surprising, it is interesting to note the plethora of complaints that menopausal women present with all over the world. In the US, UK, and the United Arab Emirates, hot flushes are the most common symptom reported, while women from Japan, India, and Singapore suffer mostly from joint pain. A postmenopausal woman should take into her stride the fact that menopause is a change in life, and not the end of life. Support groups should be functional in counseling these women who often face menopause in the midst of many other crises in life, like elderly parents and grown-up children leaving their nests empty to move ahead in life. Menopause is best tolerated when it is already anticipated, and social workers, doctors, and other paramedical personnel should all join hands in providing the necessary information, education, and communicating with these women at their hour of need.

Assisted reproduction refers to a number of advanced techniques that aid fertilization in a couple diagnosed to have reduced fertility such as in women who have irreversible damage to their fallopian tubes or cervical mucous problems. These techniques can also benefit couples with unexplained infertility. Before 1978, infertility diagnosis and treatment revolved around surgical interventions such as fallopian tube(s) repair or inserting sperms into the uterus. Thus, the management was applicable and aimed at removing the mechanical blockage that prevented the fertilization of egg. Then ca.me Louise Brown and Dr. Patrick Steptoe, a couple who were destined to be associated forever in the infertility history books forever. This is because in 1978, Dr. Steptoe made it possible for Louise to conceive in a laboratory in England with IVF. From this turning point in the science of infertility, came techniques that addressed the biochemical and hormonal aspects of infertility thus marking the beginning of a whole new subspecialty called Reproductive Endocrinology. With Dr. Steptoe’s technique, called IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), couples who otherwise had no problems that could be surgically treated now had another option. With the inclusion of Information technology in all aspects of our life, the explosion of Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) has resulted in further sophistication of additional techniques, now responsible for the existence of over 20,000 human beings a year that would never have existed. ART deals with all aspects of the science of conception, be it investigating the couple, or determining their ovarian reserve to application of the most appropriate technique to aid conception in that couple.

The diagnostic approach as well as the management of several endocrinological disorders underwent major modifications. Gynecological endocrinology made no exception, and light was finally thrown on a scarcely known area, so heavily influenced by ignorance and prejudices. Here some authoritative experts have addressed the several possibilities of hormonal interventions in the field of gynecology. The most recent research development has led to the better understanding of the physiopathological rationale, underlying appropriate treatments and even evaluation of the new routes of hormone administration. Current medical therapy of different conditions has been thoroughly reviewed, including precocious puberty, hyperandrogenism, premature ovarian failure, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and menopause. Keeping in mind the requirements of the society, the practitioners need to update themselves on the current approach and wide variety of treatment options now available. India has a distinct need for the comprehensive programs that fit into the Indian context of the situation. It has to be a continuous process, which approaches the problem on the basis of the experience of the specialists in India who are among the stalwarts in this field. In its quest to better approach the topic, Elsevier has pooled its existing resources with those of the internationally acclaimed Obstetricians and Gynecologists of India who have chosen to apply their rich clinical knowledge and expertise to serve the Indian patients.

The management of medical disorders in pregnancy has undergone significant changes in the recent years. The pattern of disease has changed with improvements in socio-economic conditions. For example, the incidence of antenatal anemia has decreased progressively in the past few decades, and pulmonary tuberculosis (which used to be prevalent) is now seen only rarely. Chronic rheumatic heart disease has also become less common. On the other hand, gestational diabetes has become more common. This may be due partly to the setting up of screening services for gestational diabetes in many hospitals. The four most common medical disorders complicating pregnancy are anemia, diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, and thyroid disorders. In addition, because of the improvements in the medical, obstetric, and anesthetic management of pregnancy, many women with medical disorders can go through a pregnancy without major problems. There has also been a progressive decrease in the perinatal mortality associated with some medical disorders, such as diabetes. It is important for all healthcare professionals involved in the management of pregnant women with medical disorders to be conversant with the latest developments in order to provide the best care to these women. The chapters in this issue are certainly helpful in this respect. The eminent authors for the various chapters have discussed the various options available describing in detail their experiences regarding the various aspects of the condition.

Historically, gynecologic endoscopy began in the 1930s with the development of diagnostic laparoscopy, but today gynecologic endoscopy, both laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, has become an essential part of gynecologic surgery. In present practice, the benefits of laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and minimally invasive surgical procedures have become safely entrenched behind undeniable facts, to the patients as well as the hospitals. The endoscopic gynecologic surgery now involves the whole gamut of fetal surgery, embryoscopy, outpatient local anesthetic laparoscopy, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, and embolization of myomas. Another interesting fact to come to the fore is that, increasingly, the traditional treatments for infertility are being rendered obsolete by advanced reproductive technologies and gynecologic endoscopy. Endoscopy in Infertility has addressed the relevant issues with dexterity by substantiating with relevant clinical experiences of its authors, who are among the pioneers in this field.

PCOS is a complex endocrinopathy with wide-ranging variations and clinical manifestations. In the field of gynecology, the clinician is called upon to treat problems of menstrual irregularity, acne and hirsutism, infertility, obesity, and for education on long-term consequences. The mainstay of pharmacological treatment aims at ovarian suppression of androgen secretion. The most effective medical therapy for hirsutism in these cases thus appears to be antiandrogen drugs. The patients need to undergo the therapies for long periods and also understand the need of maintenance. Electrolysis and laser photothermolysis are considered the most effective cosmetic procedures. PCOS is a heterogeneous disorder and no single etiological factor fully accounts for the whole spectrum of the abnormalities in this condition. Only a few genes and mutations show considerable evidence of association with PCOS. Variable manifestation observed within PCOS patients may be due to the interaction with environmental factors with protective genomic variant and predisposing genes. The eminent authors of "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" have enumerated the various options available described in detail their experiences regarding the various aspects of the condition.

ECAB Progesterone: The Multifaceted Molecule - E-Book

Endometriosis is a condition that often leads to a variety of symptoms that range from pain complaints to infertility. Endometriosis is also found in women who are asymptomatic. The diagnosis of endometriosis can be made clinically with reliability similar to that of one made surgically. Medical treatment options are effective, as are surgical treatment options. Complications associated with surgery, however, push the balance in favor of medical therapy whenever possible. Based on the body of evidence available at present, women with endometriosis-related complaints should be treated with a first-line medical therapy. If that fails, a second-line medical therapy is warranted under most conditions. Laparoscopic surgery should be reserved for patients in whom second-line medical therapy has failed or is contraindicated by desire to conceive immediately or as soon as possible.