Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility, which shows a 72% prevalence in PCOS versus 16% in the general population [1]. Healthy lifestyle behaviors, like regular physical activity and healthy eating, should be recommended preconceptionally in all PCOS patients in order to optimize metabolic and hormonal outcomes, general health, and quality […]

INTRODUCTION lron deficiency (ID) occurs when absorption of dietary iron is not sufficient to cover loss of iron and the body’s iron requirements. The most severe form of ID is iron deficiency anemia (IDA), which develops after depletion of physiological iron stores. IDA is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, occurring in 1.24 billion people, […]

Introduction Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a delicate medical problem that affects young women. It consists of oligo/amenorrhea before the age of 40, characterized by elevated gonadotropins [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) cut-off value above 25 IU/L on two occasions more than 4 weeks apart] and low estradiol levels [1,2]. Infertility and psychological stress are common consequences […]

INTRODUCTION Obesity is characterized by an excessive amount of adipose tissue that leads to a chronic systemic inflammatory status. A high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), currently the most widely accepted method for classifying the state of adiposity, and an excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), are independently associated with several adverse pregnancy outcomes [1], both […]

Introduction Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs) are rare, accounting for less than 0.5% of ovarian neoplasms; moderately and poorly differentiated forms are the most common. They can occur at any age, but are usually found more frequently in women aged between 20 and 30 years [1]. Between 40% and 60% of patients are virilized, while occasional […]

Introduction Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy implanted in the region of a previous cesarean section scar at the level of the uterine isthmus, where the myometrium is narrower and thinner [1]. The prevalence of CSP strongly depends on the rate of cesarean deliveries, which is estimated to have reached its highest peak in 2009 (32.9%) after […]

INTRODUCTION The association between maternal vitamin D levels and fetal growth is a matter of debate. A systematic review concluded that evidence in favor of a direct relationship is conflicting because of the heterogeneity of existing studies [1]. A series of physiological mechanisms, though, supports the association. The promoters of some amino acid transporter genes […]

INTRODUCTION Menopause is defined as the complete cessation of menstruation, for a period of at least 12 months, due to reduced production of estrogen and progesterone hormones by a woman’s ovaries [1]. Menopause can occur spontaneously (natural menopause) or be induced by surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, leading to estrogen deficiency and loss of reproductive function […]

Introduction: Scalp hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has emerged as a non-invasive marker of long-term cortisol exposure. HCC can reflect perturbations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis over time, such as in Cushing’s syndrome or in  psychological stress and depressive state [1,2]. Normal aging is associated with significant alterations in HPA activity. Previous studies that assessed the […]

Introduction Cohort studies estimated that premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), diagnosed before 40 years of age, occurs in around 1% of women, whereas women with early menopause (EM), which occurs before the age of 45 years, is found in around 5% [1-3]. A recent meta-analysis of worldwide data reported a pooled prevalence of 3.7% for POI […]

INTRODUCTION It is crucial to promote the integration of the available information from the bench (biomedical science with its physiologic pathways) to bed side (practical clinical application of scientific developments). The genital tract microbiome represents 9% of the total women’s microbiome.1 Recent advances in vaginal microbiome research have indicated that dysbiosis is a complex disorder […]

Introduction Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic syndrome related to partial or complete absence of one of the X chromosomes. Its incidence is one in 2500 female births. TS is associated with various physical morbidities: short stature, dysmorphic features, ovarian failure, cardiac defects, hearing difficulties, autoimmune diathesis. Subjects with TS also have various difficulties in […]

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent disease affecting 4-25% of women of reproductive age depending on ethnicity [1,2]. The diagnostic criteria for this syndrome were established by a consensus meeting in Rotterdam [3]. The diagnosis of PCOS requires that at least two of the following criteria be met: [4] chronic anovulation disorder (oligo […]

Introduction Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of smooth muscle tissue and are the most common female neoplasms, affecting 30% of women of reproductive age (1, 2). Their diagnosis is easily performed by a pelvic ultrasonography (US), but their clinical presentation greatly depends on their size, number, and location (2, 3). In particular, the impact that […]

Introduction When considering the statistics of neoplastic diseases worldwide, breast cancer is found to have the highest incidence, followed by lung and colorectal cancer [1]. Breast cancer is present both in developed and in developing countries. Screening, early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and follow-up of the disease are all crucial. According to the Global Cancer Observatory […]

Introduction Oocyte cryopreservation has long been a challenging procedure in ART settings due to the poor efficiency of the slow freezing technique1. The advent of the vitrification method, with very fast cooling rates preventing ice formation, has led to a remarkable increase in the efficiency of oocyte cryopreservation2, which is now a safe and consistent […]

Introduction In Italy infertility is  estimated to affect about 20% of couples who, failing to achieve a pregnancy, resort to assisted fertilization technology. Depending on the cause of infertility, a couple can access homologous or heterologous fertilization techniques. The former involve the use of the couple’s own gametes, while heterologous fertilization techniques involve the use […]

Introduction Perimenopause is a midlife endocrine aging transition in women characterized by menstrual cycle irregularity caused by fluctuations of hypothalamic, pituitary, and ovarian hormone levels.1,2 During perimenopause, 80% of women experience multiple climacteric symptoms such as insomnia, hot flushes, depression and memory impairment.3 There is a general consensus that the changes in energy metabolism in […]

Introduction   Since the 18th century, researchers and scientists have sought to examine the diversity of bacteria that inhabit the vaginal cavity. A variety of methods have been used from light microscopy and gram staining to more recently, bacterial culturing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These and other modern techniques have allowed scientists to study the […]

Introduction Vitamin is a secosteroid hormone that is produced photochemically primarily by the skin under exposure to ultraviolet-B from sunlight. It is synthesized as a fat-soluble prohormone, namely, vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol, whichan also be derived from animal products. The other form of vitamin D is dietary vitamin D2 from plant sterols, which is also […]

Introduction Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) and difficulty in reaching orgasm are two of the most frequent female sexual complaints1-3. Although these symptoms worsen in postmenopause, a period in which the androgen / estrogen ratio inverts due to hypoestrogenism, there is a high prevalence of decreased libido in women in premenopause too, a phase in […]

INTRODUCTION Osteoporosis is a chronic non-communicable disease that requires long-term treatment. One main reason for this is that age is a crucial risk factor for the condition,1 therefore, once treatment is prescribed, the indication persists and is reinforced as the individual grows older. A tailored selection of the available anti-osteoporotic drugs will have to be […]

Introduction Due to the growth of the ageing population the problem of relieving symptoms caused by age-related changes in the female urogenital tract during menopause remains one of the most pressing problems in the field of gynecology. The term “genitourinary syndrome of menopause” (GSM) underlines the variety of genital, sexual and urinary symptoms associated with […]

Introduction Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin-related polypeptide member of a family of growth factors involved in the development and preservation of the central and peripheral nervous system. BDNF interacts with high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkB) and with the unselective p75NGF receptor (1){Tapia-Arancibia, 2004 #83}. BDNF is expressed in several areas of the adult […]

Introduction In recent years, different definitions of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and guidelines for its management have been proposed. For both research and clinical purposes, the 2003 “Rotterdam criteria”, based on the first workshop, are mostly used [1], with slight modifications as in the guidelines of the European Society of Endocrinology, [2] and those published […]