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Background: The regularity of the menstrual cycle directly affects women's health. Many studies have focused on menstrual health; however, menstrual cycle regularity-related variations in skin physiological characteristics and skin microbiota have been seldom investigated., Methods: To investigate the menstrual cycle regularity-related variations in skin physiological characteristics and skin microbiota of 197 cases of Chinese women aged 18-35 years living in shanghai in 2021. Based on a self-evaluation questionnaire, the volunteers were divided into three groups C1 (those with a regular menstrual cycle), C2 (those with a less regular menstrual cycle) and C3 (those with an irregular menstrual cycle). The physiological parameters of facial skin were measured by non-invasive methods and the skin microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing., Results: In the C3 group, the hydration content was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), the TEWL was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the sebum content was increased (p > 0.05), indicating that the skin barrier integrity weakened with increased menstrual cycle irregularity. Additionally, the melanin level, L value and b value were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the C3 group, but the a value was significantly increased (p < 0.001), which indicated that the skin color became darker. Furthermore, the skin microbiota diversity decreased with increasing cycle irregularity, but the differences were not significant. The skin microbiota composition showed that the proportion of Firmicutes, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus and Cutibacterium were increased in those with an irregular menstrual cycle, indicating that alterations in the ratio of bacterial phyla and/or genera might disturb skin homeostasis. Spearman correlation analysis revealed strong correlations between the microbiota and skin physiological parameters. Based on the associations among hormones, skin physiological parameters and skin microbiota, it is possible that the skin physiological parameters, as well as the skin microbial diversity and composition, change with hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle., Conclusions: An irregular menstrual cycle can affect skin physiological characteristics and the skin microbiota. Female with an irregular menstrual cycle should strengthen skin care practices and use skin care products with moisturising and soothing effects to protect their skin., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, reproductive endocrine and metabolic abnormalities in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)., Methods: A total of 325 adolescent girls with normal menstruation, 18 obese (OB-CON) and 307 non-obese (NOB-CON), were enrolled as controls from multiple middle schools in Shanghai, China. A total of 167 adolescent girls with PCOS, 90 obese (OB-PCOS) and 77 non-obese (NOB-PCOS), were also recruited. All cases were evaluated for their clinical manifestations, reproductive endocrine and metabolic parameters. Hyperandrogenism was determined by serum testosterone (T), free androgen index (FAI) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). Insulin sensitivity was measured by fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)., Results: (1) Menarche was significantly earlier in adolescent PCOS than in controls. The incidence of obesity was significantly higher in adolescent PCOS than that in control group. (2) T, FAI and DHEA-S were significantly higher in adolescent PCOS group than those in control group. FAI was higher in OB-PCOS group than in NOB-PCOS group. LH and LH/FSH were higher in PCOS groups than those in controls. LH and LH/FSH were also much higher in NOB-PCOS group than those in OB-PCOS group. (3) HOMA-IR and FINS were significantly higher in PCOS group than those in control group. Incidence of acanthosis nigricans, FINS, HOMA-IR and triglyceride were significantly higher in OB-PCOS group than those in NOB-PCOS group. (4) 95.21% PCOS girls presented with an ultrasonic morphological evidence of polycystic ovarian., Conclusion: The essential features of adolescent PCOS are an earlier onset of menarche, a persistent menstrual disorder over 2 years after menarche, a higher incidence of obesity, marked hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance and disorderly gonadotropin secretion in comparison with control subjects. Hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance are much more severe in obese adolescent PCOS.

This study was an open trial where 1994 subjects each received Depo Provera injectable contraceptive every three months for one year and were observed a total of 20,294.3 woman months. At the time of observation, only one accidental pregnancy had occurred giving a use-effectiveness rate of 99.94% and a cumulative continuation rate of 72.87%. There were no significant adverse effects on weight and blood pressure. The main side effects were spotting, prolonged bleeding, and amenorrhea and these were also the main reasons of discontinuation. Complaints related to bleeding problems gradually decreased and complaints of amenorrhea increased with continued use. In lactating women, side effects occurrence rate was lower and continuation rate was higher in comparison with non-lactating women. Users did not report any effect on milk secretion. The results of this study confirm that Depo Provera is a very effective contraceptive method. With appropriate counseling and medical support, high acceptability and continuation rate can be achieved. Depo Provera is especially suitable for lactating women and could become a popular contraceptive method for lactating Chinese women.

A large scale, phased investigation of NORPLANT contraceptive systems was conducted in the People's Republic of China. The first phase comprehended 1,200 women in four cities. Expanded trials included 11,918 women at 12 major centers and at sub-centers by 31 May 1987. At that date 4,676 NORPLANT capsule subjects and 1,089 rod subjects had completed one year of use, 1,381 capsule acceptors had completed two years as had 197 rod users. Gross pregnancy rates were less than 0.1 per 100 for each implant type both at one and at two years. Continuation rates were 94 per 100 for each implant type at one year, and were 82.0 and 83.6 per 100 among users of NORPLANT capsule and rod implants, respectively, at two years. Disruption of menstrual function was the dominant reason for termination, but mean hemoglobin levels increased in each of the nine centers reporting values at admission and at one year. First year gross cumulative termination rates for medical reasons were 1.2 to 1.3 per 100, reaching 3.8 and 5.6 per 100 for capsule and rod implants, respectively, at two years. Microdose contraception with these levonorgestrel-releasing implants appears to be a highly acceptable and effective modality suitable for Chinese women. NORPLANT implants are now approved by the national drug regulatory agency for general use in China.