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Background: As high as 60% of postmenopausal women suffer from atrophic urogenital symptoms called as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), due to declining ovarian function. It causes moderate to severe bothersomeness. Effectiveness of locally applied estrogen over 12 weeks improves their general and sexual quality of life (QOL). Aims: We aimed to measure the most bothersome of the various symptoms (MBS), and Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) on a validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scale and their self reported severity improvement over 12 weeks. Material and methods: A prospective cohort study of 100 menopausal women with at least one of the various GSM symptoms to assess for the MBS, severity of various GSM symptoms and FSFI scoring; as well as to assess their improvement after 12 weeks of local vaginal estriol application. Statistical analysis: SPSS version 19.0. Results: Most cases were ?=60 years, with vaginal symptoms being the most bothersome. Highly significant improvements were seen in all GSM symptoms post treatment including vaginal symptoms, dyspareunia, urgency, frequency, nocturia and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Also, the improvement in FSFI scoring post treatment was highly significant. Conclusion: Vaginal symptoms are the most bothersome part of GSM. Local estrogen therapy has a highly significant role in improving all GSM symptoms as well as FSFI scoring leading to a better QOL and sexual health.

BackgroundThe oxytocin (OXT)-oxytocin receptor (OXTR) system provides promising candidate gene for studies of genetic contributions to prematurity.ObjectiveQuantification and comparison of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene expression and serum OXT levels in the blood and amnion of women delivering preterm and evaluation of the correlation between OXTR gene expression in blood and amnion with serum OXT levels in them.Methods70 pregnant women in spontaneous labor delivering vaginally preterm i.e < 37 weeks and equal number of matched controls delivering spontaneously at term (37-42 weeks) were recruited. Maternal serum OXT levels taken in active stage of labor i.e 4 cm cervical dilatation were quantified by ELISA. Gene expression studies in the maternal blood and amnion were done by using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).ResultsThe mean serum OXT level in PTL was 48.56 ± 6.97 pg/ml; significantly higher than in controls (43.00 ± 3.96 pg/ml), pConclusionsThe serum OXT levels and OXTR gene expression in amnion surge significantly in active phase of PTL. Thus, amnion probably links OXT-PTGs autocrine paracrine circuit to facilitate PTL. Future studies are needed to devise better OXTR receptor antagonists preferably acting on amnionic OXTRs to prevent PTL.

BackgroundFemale sexual dysfunction (FSD) has higher prevalence in postmenopausal women especially with urinary incontinence (UI) and coital incontinence (CI). This study was attempted as there is dearth of literature to quantify FSD, CI and depression in UI women and their correlation with each other especially in Indian scenario.AimAim of this study was to determine the prevalence of FSD, CI and depression in postmenopausal UI women.Material and MethodsCross-sectional case-control study of 100 menopausal women with previously diagnosed UI with matching controls over period of 3 months were analyzed for the prevalence of FSD, CI and depression using validated questionnaires like Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Primary Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Statistical Analysis was performed using SPSS version 19.0.ResultsUI is independently associated with FSD, CI and depression (p < 0.001) with prevalence of 100%, 83%, and 100% respectively for cases versus 5%, 6%, and 4% respectively for controls. FSD and CI are also independently associated with depression (p < 0.001). Combined FSD with UI and CI with UI are also significantly associated with depression.ConclusionUI is independently associated with FSD, CI and depression. FSD and CI are also independently associated with depression. UI is the major determinant of depression in those with both FSD and UI or CI and UI.Key Message PointsFemale sexual dysfunction is rampant in menopausal women especially the ones who are incontinent, which jeopardizes their quality of life.Sexually dysfunctional incontinent females feel socially outcast and are moderate to severely depressed and need addressal.There is a dearth of literature as regards to this issue in the society which needs to be explored, hence an attempt has been made