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Introduction: Transgender individuals may face familial and social hostility, leading to distress that significantly affects their well-being. This study aims to understand life course challenges experienced by transgender people since childhood., Method: Cross-sectional study, including 20 transgender people. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) was used to assess mood (anxiety and depression). An interview was conducted to collect data on the participants' experiences in childhood, adolescence, and adult life in relation to their feelings about their gender identity. Qualitative analysis was performed by analyzing the content of participants' responses to the interview script using Bardin´s method., Results: Responses were linked to bodily changes, and highlighted the profound significance of these transformative procedures in shaping respondents' aspirations for their careers, families, and/or romantic relationships., Discussion: The findings show negative consequences of social intolerance for gender non-normativity. Particular attention in transgender health care should be devoted to childhood and adolescence., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To traslate and validate of the Brazilian version of the SDI-2., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The cultural adaptation considered the stages of initial translation, synthesis of translations, evaluation by a committee of experts from different regions of Brazil, back-translation, and pre-test. The content validity and psychometric proprieties was assessed., Results: Ten specialists participated in the cultural adaptation of the SDI-2. The content validity showed a Content Validity Ratio (CVR) ≥ 0.75 ( p = 0.05). A total of 674 subjects participated in the field study. The Exploratory Factorial Analysis (EFA) presented factor loads ≥ 0.445, and commonalities ≥ 0.40; and two dimensions represented 77% of the total variance explained. The Confirmatory Factorial Analysis CFA presented X 2 /df = 4.265; the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation RMSEA = 0.110; the Non-Normed Fit Index NNFI = 0.946; the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.963; the Goodness of Fit Index GFI = 0.986; and the Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index AGFI = 0.979 for a two-factor model. The coefficient values for the total SDI-2 score were 0.91 for Cronbach's alpha, 0.91 for McDonald's Omega, and 0.97 for the Greatest Lower Bound GLB coefficients. The invariance between sexes was 0.01 for the ΔCFI and ΔRMSEA, showing model stability for these two populations., Conclusion: The Brazilian version of the SDI-2 is self-report, valid, reliable and invariant across sex., Competing Interests: Conflicts to interest: none to declare., (© 2024. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. All rights reserved.)

Background: Vaginal laxity (VL) is rarely discussed among patients and their physicians possibly due to the lack of evidence-based treatments, embarrassment, and lack of knowledge in recognizing this condition. We aimed to understand the meanings that women attribute to the sensation of VL., Methods: This is a qualitative study using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. Sixteen participants were intentionally selected from February 2020 to December 2021. One researcher interviewed each participant in a private room guaranteeing that rapport was established. Two independent researchers performed a complete transcript of each interview immediately after its end. The sample size was achieved according to the Information Power analysis. We followed the thematic analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke., Results: Of 16 patients, only one did not undergo delivery. Her complaint was not different from the rest of the group. Five major themes and subthemes were identified: the long and lonely pathway: from the identification of symptoms of VL to diagnosis (from the invisibility of VL to the perception of their symptoms; "everything will fall out!":shame, guilt and stigma as diagnosis barriers and "but I had no idea of looking for a treatment." Women's strategies to begin a help-seeking process), "the label of vaginal laxity is a heavy burden to bear" meanings associated with VL complaints, effect of VL on sexual intercourse and "I know it changed everything!" relationship with the partner., Conclusion: VL is a symptom that is still little understood by women, and little explored by health professionals, with repercussions on personal and marital life., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Approximately, 11% of trans men experience erythrocytosis diagnosis due to testosterone administration during the first year of the gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT)., Objectives: To identify and compare the effect of different testosterone formulations on hematocrit (Hct) and diagnose erythrocytosis in trans men., Materials and Methods: This systematic review was based on PRISMA guidelines. We performed an electronic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science in January 2024. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of evidence in the observational studies., Results: Of the 152 records retrieved, 18 met the eligibility criteria. Studies observed an increase of up to 5% in Hct in trans men using injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU), and up to 6.9% in trans men using intermediate injectable testosterone esters (TE). Trans men using TE experience a larger increase in serum Hct levels compared to those receiving TU. Erythrocytosis prevalence varies according to the cutoff used (50%, 52%, and 54%). Erythrocytosis was also associated with tobacco use, age at initiation of hormone therapy, body mass index (BMI), and pulmonary conditions. Studies that evaluated the effect of testosterone formulation on erythrocytosis diagnosis present conflicting result. Trans men have a hazard ratio of 7.4 (95% CI: 4.1, 13.4) of developing erythrocytosis compared to cisgender men, using a 52% hematocrit cutoff., Conclusion: All testosterone formulations result in an increase in Hct, irrespective of dose, formulation, and administration method. Smoking, higher age at initiation of the testosterone therapy, higher BMI, and a predisposing medical history are associated with this increase in Hct. The difference in effect of TE and TU on Hct is conflicting, although it is important to point out that these data come from observational studies, retrospective, and with a small-sample size., (© 2024 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.)

Objective: We aimed to translate and determine cultural validity of the Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale (VSBE) for Brazilian Portuguese language in postpartum women who underwent vaginal delivery with or without perineal laceration and cesarean section., Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted virtually, with online data collection through a survey with 234 postpartum women of 975 that were invited. Clinical, sociodemographic, and psychometric variables from the VSBE questionnaire were analyzed (content validity index, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct/structural and discriminant validity). Multivariate analysis was performed to explore associated factors with the presence of perineal laceration., Results: One-hundred fifty-eight women experienced vaginal delivery, of which 24.79% had an intact perineum, 33.33% had perineal laceration, and 9.4% underwent episiotomy; and 76 participants had cesarean sections. Women with perineal laceration were older, presented dyspareunia and previous surgeries than women without perineal laceration (p<0.05). For VSBE, a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.7) was observed, but it did not correlate with Body Attractiveness Questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index; however, it correlated with the presence of women sutured for perineal laceration. Moreover, VSBE presented good structural validity with two loading factors after exploratory factor analysis. VSBE also demonstrated discriminant validity between the presence or absence of perineal laceration. The presence of urinary incontinence (UI) (OR=2.716[1.015-4.667];p=0.046) and a higher VSBE total score (OR=1.056[1.037-1.075];p<0.001) were the only factors associated with perineal laceration., Conclusion: Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale demonstrated appropriate translation and good internal consistency, discriminant/construct validity and reliability. Vaginal Changes Sexual and Body Esteem Scale total score and presence of UI were associated with women that underwent perineal laceration., Competing Interests: Conflicts to interest: none to declare., (© 2023. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. All rights reserved.)

Hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD) is prevalent among women. This retrospective cohort study aimed to verify the results of the strategies used by Gynecologists and Obstetricians (Ob-gyn) residents in the management of female HSDD. For this, we conducted a data collection of patient medical records of women with HSDD from the Human Sexuality Studies outpatient clinic of the Human Reproduction Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of FMRP-USP, from 2005 to 2019. Among the 437 women included, 361 (82.6%) answered the question concerning the effect of the protocol to which they were submitted, whereas 234 (64.8%) reported improvements in sexual desire. The univariate model showed that patients without chronic pelvic pain were 19.0% less likely to report improvements in HSDD than those with chronic pelvic pain ( p  = 0.03). Patients without depression and without orgasmic dysfunction were, respectively 32% and 23% more likely to show improvements in their HSDD than those who had depression or orgasmic dysfunction (respectively p  = 0.001, p  = 0.008). However, the multivariate model did not identify any associations. The assistance regarding HSDD by the Ob-gyn resident in training to deal with female sexual complaints may be effective in improving sexual complaints.

Competing Interests: None to declare.

Objective:  To identify the age when individuals first perceive gender incongruence (GI) and to compare sociodemographic data of female-to-male (FtM) and male-to-female (MtF) transgender individuals assisted at an outpatient service., Methods:  The present cross-sectional study was conducted through a review of the medical records of individuals diagnosed with GI at a single specialized outpatient service in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil., Results:  A total of 193 medical records from 2010 to 2018 were evaluated, and 109 (56.5%) patients had GI since childhood. The FtM transgender individuals perceived GI in childhood more often than the MtF transgender individuals (odds ratio [OR]: 2.06, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.11-3.81) Unattended hormone use was highest among the MtF group (69.6% versus 32.3%; OR: 4.78, 95%CI: 2.53-9.03). All of the individuals who were engaged in prostitution or were diagnosed with a sexually-transmitted infection, including HIV, were in the MtF group., Conclusion:  Despite the more prevalent perception of GI in childhood among the FtM group, social issues were more prevalent among the MtF group, which may be the result of social marginalization., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflict of interests to declare., (Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Polycystic ovary syndrome predisposes alterations which contribute to the reduction of quality of life. This randomized controlled clinical trial study was to evaluate the effect of two protocols of aerobic exercise on quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Women were allocated to three groups: continuous aerobic training ( n  = 28), intermittent aerobic training ( n  = 29), and control group (no training; n  = 30). Testosterone levels, body composition indices, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks of intervention. Both protocols were effective to improve testosterone levels, anthropometric indices, and quality of life in polycystic ovary syndrome women. Thus, these protocols should be included in the clinical environment to improve clinical parameters psychological, biological and social health to this population.

Competing Interests: None to declare.

The purpose of this study to assess the effects of different protocols of physical exercise on the domains of the quality of life (QoL), sexual function, anxiety, and depression scores in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Data of 112 women with PCOS were extracted from 2 trials with different protocols of physical exercise: continuous aerobic training (ContinuousAT, n = 23), intermittent aerobic training (IntermittentAT, n = 22), and progressive resistance training (ResistanceT, n = 43) alongside a control group (CG, n = 24). Volunteers who completed self-report questionnaires-Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for QoL-preprotocol and postprotocol of physical exercise were included. Within groups, from baseline to week 16, all ContinuousAT, IntermittentAT, and ResistanceT protocols promoted improvements in multiple FSFI domains and HADS scores. However, ResistanceT did not improve the QoL aspects. Between groups, from other physical training protocols, the IntermittentAT was most effective for QoL and FSFI domains as well as HADS scores. It is concluded that all interventions were effective and improved indicators of sexual function, anxiety, and depression. When comparing protocols, interval training with high-intensity stimuli and active recovery was more effective., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© 2021 The Author(s).)

Background: Both physical and mental health care for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) require a multidisciplinary approach. We evaluated the effects of continuous (CAT) and intermittent (IAT) aerobic training in different protocols that measure body image, anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction in women with PCOS., Methods: In this controlled clinical trial, women with PCOS were randomly allocated for 16 weeks to 1 out of 3 groups: CAT (n = 28), IAT (n = 29), or control group (CG, n = 30). For data collection, we used the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Figure Rating Scale (FRS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Measurement Scales (HADS)., Results: No effects of CAT, IAT or CG groups were identified in the perceptual dimension of body image. The dis(satisfaction) grade improved after exercise in the CAT group (p ≤ 0.01) compared to the CG, as well as improved within CAT and IAT groups. Total FSFI, and HADS-A and HADS-D scores improved after exercise in the both groups. At baseline and after the study period, there were positive correlations between scores for dis(satisfaction), HADS-A and HADS-D scores. HADS-A and HADS-D scores had a negative correlation with FSFI total in the IAT (p = =0.02) group compared to the CG, as well as within CAT and IAT groups., Limitations: The participants were not matched for body mass index (normal, overweight and obese) which may interfere on body image dimensions., Conclusion: Aerobic exercise improves sexual function and indices related to anxiety and depression. Likewise, it interferes in cognitive-affective dimension of the body image., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with lower levels of satisfaction with body image, which can affect sexuality and social well-being. Thus, we evaluated body image in women with PCOS and its association with body dis(satisfaction), anthropometric indices, sexual function, anxiety, and depression., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 94 women of reproductive age were grouped by body mass index (BMI) and sexual function. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Figure Rating Scale (FRS), hospital anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) measurement scales, and anthropometric indices were used for data collection., Results: Women with PCOS presented with perceptual distortions of self-image independent of sexual function and BMI. There were negative correlations between HADS-A and HADS-D scores and the FSFI total score, and HADS-D scores had positive correlations with weight, anthropometric indices, and BSQ total score. The degree of dis(satisfaction) was a predictor of FSFI total score, depression, and anxiety, and the FSFI total score was predicted by HADS-D. Desired and ideal-gender BMIs were risk factors for sexual dysfunction, and overweight and obesity were risk factors for the degree of dis(satisfaction)., Limitations: This study had the limitations of using a cross-sectional design and it investigated a restricted number of clinical/biochemical parameters, as well as lacked objective measures of acne and hirsutism, and a control group., Conclusions: Perception and cognitive-affective dimensions appear to play important roles in body image dysfunction in women with PCOS, and impact sexual dysfunction and depression associated the syndrome. Furthermore, these results provide additional treatment considerations for women with PCOS., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective:  To assess the sexual function, anxiety, and depression of infertile women relative to a control group., Methods:  Infertile women (infertile group, IG) of reproductive age were invited to participate in this controlled study. A control group (CG) of women was recruited from the general population of the same city. Sexual function was assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)., Results:  A total of 280 women participated in the present study, 140 in the IG and 140 in the CG. The analysis of the FSFI scores showed that 47 women (33.57%) in the IG and 49 women (35%) in the CG had sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤ 26.55; p  = 0.90). Women with anxiety or depression had a greater risk of sexual dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction increased the risk of anxiety and depression. Married women had a lower risk of depression than single women who were living with their partners., Conclusion:  Infertile women had no increased risk of sexual dysfunction relative to controls. Anxiety and depression increased the risk of sexual dysfunction in the studied population., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Purpose  To evaluate the preferences of women and men regarding female pubic hair depilation and identify possible reasons for these preferences. Methods  This is a cross-sectional study of men and women over 18 years old who were invited by the official blog of our institution to respond anonymously to an online and self-administered questionnaire made by the researchers. The analyses were made using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, SAS Inc., Cary, NC, US) software, version 9.3, and contingency tables were used to verify the distribution of variables. The univariate statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson chi-squared test, and the differences for values of p  < 0.05 were considered significant. Results  We obtained data from 69,920 subjects (52,787 women and 17,133 men). The mean age was 31.9 years for men, and 28.5 years for women. Most women (64.3%) and men (62.2%) preferred complete removal of female pubic hair, and this preference was more pronounced in younger women and men. Most women reported performing depilation at home (55.8%), with 44.4% using hot wax and 40.1% using a razor blade. About half of the women (44.7%) and men (50.1%) reported sexual activity, having intercourse 2 to 3 times per week. The frequency of intercourse and sexual satisfaction in women correlated with total pubic hair removal. Conclusion  Most Brazilian women and men prefer the complete removal of female pubic hair, especially those who are younger and more sexually active. Women who are satisfied with the appearance of their own genitalia have a stronger preference for complete removal of pubic hair., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Purpose  The views of infertile couples regarding oocyte donation by third parties and adoption are unknown, as these may be interpreted as a final closure of the available options for conception. This study aimed to determine the acceptance of oocyte donation, oocyte reception, and child adoption of infertile women who submitted to assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment Methods  Sixty-nine women who were under treatment for infertility and submitted to ART procedures were included in this cross-sectional study. They were evaluated using semi-structured questionnaires administered during ovulation induction in a treatment cycle. Marital status, religion, years of schooling, occupation, type of infertility, age, duration of infertility, number of previous ART cycles, mean oocyte number per cycle, and mean number of embryos per cycle had no influence on a woman's acceptance of oocyte donation or oocyte reception. Results  More than 90% of the patients thought that the subject of "adoption" should be brought up during their ART treatments, although they preferred to discuss this topic with psychologists, not doctors. Women with occupations were more willing to consider adoption. Conclusion  The opinions of these patients on these issues seem to be based on personal concepts and ethical, religious, and moral values. Women preferred to discuss adoption with psychologists rather than doctors., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Introduction  Sexual pleasure is fundamental for the maintenance of health and well-being, but it may be adversely affected by medical and psychosocial conditions. Many patients only feel that their health is fully restored after they resume normal sexual activities. Any discussion of sexuality in a doctor's office is typically limited, mainly because of a lack of models or protocols available to guide the discussion of the topic. Objectives  To present a model designed to guide gynecologists in the management of female sexual complaints. Methods  This study presents a protocol used to assess women's sexual problems. A semi-structured interview is used to assess sexual function, and the teaching, orienting and permitting (TOP) intervention model that was designed to guide gynecologists in the management of sexual complaints. Results  The use of protocols may facilitate the discussion of sexual issues in gynecological settings, and has the potential to provide an effective approach to the complex aspects of sexual dysfunction in women. The TOP model has three phases: teaching the sexual response, in which the gynecologist explains the physiology of the female sexual response, and focuses on the three main phases thereof (desire, excitement and orgasm); orienting a woman toward sexual health, in which sexual education is used to provide information on the concept and healthy experience of sexuality; and permitting and stimulating sexual pleasure, which is based on the assumption that sexual pleasure is an individual right and is important for the physical and emotional well-being. Conclusion  The use of protocols may provide an effective approach to deal with female sexual dysfunction in gynecological offices., (Thieme-Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)