Changes in (risk) behavior and HPV knowledge among Dutch girls eligible for HPV vaccination: an observational cohort study.

Implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination raised concerns that vaccination could lead to riskier sexual behavior. This study explored how possible differences in sexual behavior and HPV knowledge developed over time between HPV-vaccinated and unvaccinated girls

Dealing with difficult sexual questions during consultations:a new training program

For over 30 years gynecological teaching associates have made a valuable contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, by allowing medical students to perform a pelvic examination on them. These women are skilled in giving detailed feedback to the medical students about their examination performance. In this study we describe a new training program: gynecological teaching associates act as simulated patients portraying a gynecological/sexual problem, in addition to allowing themselves to be examined by the students. This creates the opportunity of immediate feedback on the entire process of the consultation. Conditions are addressed that should be met to ensure the feasibility of this method

Effects of tibolone and raloxifene on health-related quality of life and sexual-function

Objectives: Study to compare the effects of tibolone and raloxifene on health-related quality of life, sexuality and vaginal atrophy. Methods: A double-blind, randomized study was conducted in 308 osteopenic, but otherwise healthy, postmenopausal women (mean age 66 years) who received tibolone 1.25 mg/day or raloxifene 60 mg/day for 2 years. Health-related quality of life was assessed by the women's health questionnaire (WHQ), sexual function by the McCoy female sexuality questionnaire (MFSQ) and vaginal atrophy by assessing the karyopycnotic index (KI) and vaginal maturation (VM). Results: At week 104, the tibolone group showed a trend towards an improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) mean score in eight out of nine WHQ domains. HRQoL scores approximated values for premenopausal women, being pre-defined as "clinically relevant". The raloxifene group showed a trend to a diminished HRQoL mean score from baseline to week 104. No difference could be assessed between the tibolone and raloxifene group in mean total score and separate domains' scores of the MFSQ, except for the vaginal lubrication domain (p = 0.037). The increase in KI and VM was statistically significantly greater with tibolone than with raloxifene (for both KI and VM p <0.0001). Tibolone and raloxifene were equally well tolerated. Conclusions: In older postmenopausal women, tibolone treatment showed a trend towards an improvement in quality of life and sexuality when compared to raloxifene. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Intimate body piercings in women

The popularity of (intimate) body piercing has increased as well as the chances of being confronted with (the complications) of it. This article provides information about the various types of intimate body piercings in women, the complications and concerns regarding the treatment of patients with intimate bodypiercings

Posttraumatic stress disorder following preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in connection with pregnancy was first described in the 1990s--initially in relation to childbirth but later more specifically to the mode of delivery. Instrumental vaginal delivery carries the highest risk of PTSD followed by emergency caesarean section and normal spontaneous delivery. Loss of pregnancy, spontaneous abortion or intrauterine death for example can also lead to PTSD. Little systematic research has been performed regarding the psychological consequences of severe preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome, although it would seem obvious that these conditions may have a great effect The combination of suffering a serious illness combined with an unexpected caesarean section or delivery, often of a premature child, is a heavy burden to bear both physically and psychologically. We describe here three patients who developed PTSD after pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. PTSD can develop after preeclampsia or HELLP syndrom