General Gynecology Clinic Research Articles

A randomized, double-blind crossover trial of sertraline in women with chronic pelvic pain

The efficacy of antidepressants as analgesics for a range of chronic pain problems is well documented. However, a controlled trial of an antidepressant for women with chronic pelvic pain has not yet been published. We randomized 23 women from a general gynecology clinic to either double-blind sertraline or placebo. Measures of psychological function, pain, and functional disability were taken at baseline and 6 weeks. After a 2-week washout, the groups were crossed-over and the same measures were done over the next 6 weeks. There were no significant improvements in pain or functional disability noted on sertraline compared to placebo. Studies involving larger samples of patients are needed to confirm these findings.Published by Elsevier Science Inc.

Human Papillomavirus Infection in Hong Kong Chinese Women with Normal and Abnormal Cervix—Detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction Method on Cervical Scrapes

Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) was accomplished by utilizing polymerase chain reaction methods on cervical scrapes from a total of 488 Hong Kong Chinese women attending the colposcopy, general, and antenatal clinics. From colposcopy clinic, 10% of normal cervix, 31% of condyloma, 56, 50, and 57% of CIN I, CIN II, and CIN III, respectively, and 88% of squamous cell carcinoma contain HPV. The overall detection rate is 30%. The most prevalent type is 16. Four percent of scrapes from normal cervix of patients attending general gynecology clinic and none from antenatal clinic show HPV. The detection rate appears to be more related to the types of cervical lesions than to the age of the patients.

Crouching over the toilet seat: Prevalence among British gynaecological outpatients and its effect upon micturition

This study investigated whether British women prefer to crouch over public toilet seats, and measured the effect of such a voiding position on urine flow rate and residual urine volume. Of 528 consecutive women who attended a general gynaecological clinic and completed an anonymous questionnaire, 85% usually crouched over the toilet when using a public convenience, 12% applied paper to the seat and 2% sat directly on public toilet seats. When using a friend's bathroom 38% of the women voided by crouching. Results were similar for 155 patients attending a urodynamic clinic, 80 of whom were studied while voiding in both positions. There was a 21% reduction in average urine flow rate and a 149% increase in residual urine volume in the crouching position. Women undergoing urodynamic tests should be asked which voiding position they used before abnormal results are interpreted. Patients with a reduced functional bladder capacity may benefit from being encouraged to sit comfortably on the toilet whenever possible.

Crouching Over the Toilet Seat; Prevalence Among British Gynaecological Outpatients and Its Effect Upon Micturition

MOORE, K. H.; RICHMOND, D. H.; SUTHERST, J. R.; IMRIE, A. H.; HUTTON, J. L. Author Information

Crouching over the toilet seat: prevalence among British gynaecological outpatients and its effect upon micturition

This study investigated whether British women prefer to crouch over public toilet seats, and measured the effect of such a voiding position on urine flow rate and residual urine volume. Of 528 consecutive women who attended a general gynaecological clinic and completed an anonymous questionnaire, 85% usually crouched over the toilet when using a public convenience, 12% applied paper to the seat and 2% sat directly on public toilet seats. When using a friend's bathroom 38% of the women voided by crouching. Results were similar for 155 patients attending a urodynamic clinic, 80 of whom were studied while voiding in both positions. There was a 21% reduction in average urine flow rate and a 149% increase in residual urine volume in the crouching position. Women undergoing urodynamic tests should be asked which voiding position they used before abnormal results are interpreted. Patients with a reduced functional bladder capacity may benefit from being encouraged to sit comfortably on the toilet whenever possible.

The relationship between retrospective premenstrual symptom reporting and present oral contraceptive use

The premenstrual assessment form (PAF) was used to assess the degree and type of premenstrual changes reported by 101 oral contraceptive users and 149 non-users (aged 18–45 yr) attending general health and gynaecology clinics. Women using oral contraceptives did not complain of fewer or less severe symptoms overall, but their severity scores of the subscales of premenstrual anxiety, fatigue, low mood, water retention, and impaired social functioning were significantly lower than those of non-users. The duration of oral contraceptive use and the type of preparation (combined or phased) taken were not related to the degree of premenstrual change reported. Complaints of symptoms beginning more than two days before menstruation were less frequently reported by pill-users ( p<0.01) and were associated with a greater severity of all types of premenstrual change ( p<0.0001). Women who had experienced difficulties tolerating oral contraceptives reported a greater number of moderate/severe premenstrual changes ( p<0.0001).

Lack of effect of interview and gynaecological examination on plasma levels of prolactin and cortisol.

Levels of prolactin and cortisol were measured in plasma from 18 non-pregnant patients attending a general gynaecological outpatient clinic for the first time. Each patient was seen by one of two clinicians and blood samples were taken at six different stages of the clinical interview and examination. No significant changes in the levels of prolactin or cortisol were observed suggesting that pulsatile secretion and the response to the stress of an outpatient gynaecological visit are not important factors in the interpretation of plasma prolactin levels.