Cutaneous and sensory effects of feminine hygiene pads among women with recent genital infection

We compared the skin compatibility of two menstrual pad technologies in a single-center, parallel, randomized, examiner-blinded study involving adult women. This report presents the results of a subset of 10 participants who had a genital infection within 12 months prior to the start of the study. In a blinded fashion, participants were randomized to receive one of the two pads for use over two menstrual periods. Participants’ skin erythema was graded 24-48 hours following cessation of menstrual flow and on day 14 of each menstrual cycle. Participants subjectively reported any sensory effects. Vulvar erythema scores for the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, perineum, buttocks, left medial thigh, and right medial thigh assessed after both menstrual cycles were not statistically different between groups or between the two different products. A low incidence of itching and burning occurred in both groups without statistical significance, none of the participants experienced a recurrent or new genital infection. These preliminary results show that participants with recent genital infections included in clinical studies do not exhibit greater valvar erythema or sensory effects than participants without recent genital infection. The study showed that the safety profile of the products tested remained acceptable in women with recent genital infection

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma associated with ovulation induction; a case report

The potential relationship between ovulation induction and gynecological cancer has been raised recently. Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is an uncommon malignancy, not previously associated with fertility drugs use. We describe a case of a 38-year-old woman with primary infertility and a history of three ovulation inductions with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and gonadotrophins, referred for treatment of bilateral ovarian cysts, which were discovered in the beginning of the last cycle. During laparotomy, bilateral adnexal masses were identified, presumed to be of ovarian origin, and total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, infracolic omentectomy, and retroperitoneal lymph nodes sampling were performed. Histologic examination showed a primary right fallopian tube endometrioid adenocarcinoma and bilateral adnexal endometriosis. Surgery was followed by six cycles of combination chemotherapy using paclitaxel and carboplatin without significant complications. Although evidence of a direct causal link between ovarian stimulation and PFTC does not yet exist, this case highlights the importance for careful evaluation of all discovered adnexal masses in women undergoing ovulation induction treatment

Cutaneous and sensory effects of two sanitary pads with distinct surface materials: A randomized prospective trial

Background: Cutaneous and sensory effects of sanitary pads with a novel “fabric-like” polyethylene film surface (topsheet) were assessed. Methods: Cutaneous erythema and subjective sensory effects of a test pad with fabric-like film topsheet ( group size: 53) and a commercial pad with a conventional nonwoven fabric topsheet ( group size: 55) were compared in a randomized, examiner-blind, prospective trial lasting two menstrual cycles. Only the assigned pads were used menstrually. An assigned panty liner brand was worn intermenstrually at participant discretion. Primary outcome measures were 1) the frequency and severity of erythema of the vulva, perineum, buttocks, and upper thighs, as visually scored by using a standard scale postmenstrually ( 16 - 84 hours after flow cessation) and intermenstrually ( days 12 - 16); 2) sensory irritation frequency as reported on daily diaries; and 3) product preference ratings. Results: The frequency and severity of erythema did not differ between groups except for cycle 2, when a statistically higher mean erythema score ( in the barely perceptible range) occurred postmenstrually on the right thigh ( commercial pad group) and intermenstrually on the buttocks ( test pad group). The frequency of rubbing, itching, or burning sensations declined from about 2% after cycle 1 to less than 1% after cycle 2, with no consistent difference between groups. The test pad was preferred overall, especially for absorbency and soiling protection. Conclusions: The test pad was well tolerated and comparable in skin compatibility to a commercial pad with a history of acceptable use

Vulvar cancer: a review for dermatologists.

Vulvar malignancies are important tumors of the female reproductive system. They represent a serious health issue with an incidence between 2 and 7 per 100,000 and year. We provide a review about most important cancer entities, i.e., melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine cancer, and skin adnexal malignancies.Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common vulvar malignancy that can develop from vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia or de novo. Basal cell carcinoma represents only 2 % of all vulvar cancers. Melanoma of the vulva exists in two major types-superficial spreading and acral lentiginous. A special feature is the occurrence of multiple vulvar melanomas. Of the adnexal cancer types Paget's disease and carcinoma are seen more frequently than other adnexal malignancies. The dermatologist should be aware of this problem, since he might be the first to be consulted by patients for vulvar disease. Treatment should be interdisciplinary in close association to gynecologists, oncologists, and radiologists