Comparison of Sexual Dysfunction Using the Female Sexual Function Index following Surgical Treatments for Uterine Fibroids

Factors influencing treatment decisions in HIFU treatment of adenomyosis: A retrospective study

Objective

To explore the influencing factors of decision-making in patients with adenomyosis, who are receiving high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment.

Methods

A total of 776 patients with adenomyosis were enrolled into HIFU group (241 cases) and hysterectomy group (535 cases) according to the treatment methods. The general data, clinical symptoms, marital and childbearing history, and economic status were compared between the two groups, and factors with P < 0.05 were introduced into multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the determinants of patients choosing HIFU.

Results

The average age of the patients in the HIFU group was 39.1 ± 5.2 years, which was lower than that in the hysterectomy group, which was 45.1 ± 3.9 years (P < 0.05). The basic medical insurance for urban workers in the HIFU group was more than the hysterectomy group (P < 0.05). 95.9% of the hysterectomy group had no desire to have children, compared to 60.6% of the HIFU group, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The treatment costs of HIFU group were significantly lower than that of hysterectomy group (P < 0.05). The main symptoms of the two groups were dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and secondary anemia. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 31–40 years old, fertility desire, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, anemia and dizziness and fatigue were the influencing factors for the decision-making of HIFU for patients with adenomyosis.

Conclusion

31–40 years old, fertility desire, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, anemia and dizziness and fatigue were the influencing factors for patients to choose HIFU treatment. HIFU therapy has emerged as a new option for patients with adenomyosis as an alternative to hysterectomy.

Treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause: the potential effects of intravaginal ultralow-concentration oestriol and intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone on quality of life and sexual function

The climacteric is considered a natural phase in a woman's aging process and is defined as the period starting from the decline in ovarian activity until after the end of ovarian function. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is commonly observed in menopausal women and is characterised by a collection of symptoms resulting from changes to the internal and external genitalia as well as the lower urinary tract. Several studies have demonstrated the close association between sexual dysfunction and symptoms related to GSM. Many medications, at different doses, have been studied over the years for the treatment of the symptoms of GSM. More specifically, ultralow-dose intravaginal oestriol and intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are reported to improve symptoms, signs, and quality of life of women with GSM, and they are safe owing to their specific local effect. While the dosage and the administration of intravaginal DHEA are well defined, the literature on intravaginal oestriol is less uniform: different doses and times of administration are proposed with different possible combinations with other non-pharmacological therapies, although a more standardised treatment may be necessary. The aim of this review is to summarise the available data about the effects of ultralow-concentration oestriol and intravaginal DHEA on the menopause-related symptoms, quality of life, and sexual function of women affected by GSM.

Cost and Distribution of Hysterectomy and Uterine Artery Embolization in the United States: Regional/Rural/Urban Disparities

Hysterectomy, the driving force for symptomatic uterine fibroids since 1895, has decreased over the years, but it is still the number one choice for many women. Since 1995, uterine artery embolization (UAE) has been proven by many researchers to be an effective treatment for uterine fibroids while allowing women to keep their uteri. The preponderance of data collection and research has focused on care quality in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, with little on location and viability related to care utilization, accessibility and physical availability. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the cost of UAE and classical abdominal hysterectomy with regard to race/ethnicity, region, and location. Data from National Hospital Discharge for 2004 through 2008 were accessed and analyzed for uterine artery embolization and hysterectomy. Frequency analyses were performed to determine distribution of variables by race/ethnicity, location, region, insurance coverage, cost and procedure. Based on frequency distributions of cost and length of stay, outliers were trimmed and categorized. Crosstabs were used to determine cost distributions by region, place/location, procedure, race, and primary payer. For abdominal hysterectomy, 9.8% of the sample were performed in rural locations accross the country. However, for UAE, only seven procedures were performed nationally in the same period. Therefore, all inferential analyses and associations for UAE were assumed for urban locations only. The pattern differed from region to region, regarding the volume of care (numbers of cases by location) and care cost. Comparing hysterectomy and UAE, the patterns indicate generally higher costs for UAE with a mean cost difference of $4223.52. Of the hysterectomies performed for fibroids on Black women in the rural setting, 92.08% were in the south. Overall, data analyzed in this examination indicated a significant disparity between rural and urban residence in both data collection and number of procedures conducted. Further research should determine the background to cost and care location differentials between races and between rural and urban settings. Further, factors driving racial differences in the proportions of hysterectomies in the rural south should be identified to eliminate disparities. Data are needed on the prevalence of uterine fibroids in rural settings.