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Vitale SG, Watrowski R, Barra F, D’Alterio MN, Carugno J, Sathyapalan T, Kahramanoglu I, Reyes-Muñoz E, Lin LT, Urman B, Ferrero S, Angioni S. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Perimenopausal Women: The Role of Hysteroscopy and Its Impact on Quality of Life and Sexuality. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051176. [PMID: 35626331 PMCID: PMC9140476 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a frequent symptom in perimenopausal women. It is defined as uterine bleeding in which the duration, frequency, or amount of bleeding is considered excessive and negatively affects the woman’s quality of life (QoL) and psychological well-being. In cases of structural uterine pathology, hysterectomy (usually performed via a minimally invasive approach) offers definitive symptom relief and is associated with long-lasting improvement of QoL and sexuality. However, over the past 30 years, uterus-preserving treatments have been introduced as alternatives to hysterectomy. Hysteroscopic polypectomy, myomectomy, or endometrial resection/endometrial ablation are minimally invasive techniques that can be used as an alternative to hysterectomy to treat AUB due to benign conditions. Although associated with high patient satisfaction and short-term improvement in their QoL, hysteroscopic treatments do not eliminate the risk of AUB recurrence or the need for further intervention. Therefore, considering the impact of different treatment options on QoL and sexuality during preoperative shared decision making could help identify the most appropriate and personalized treatment options for perimenopausal women suffering from AUB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Giovanni Vitale
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.G.V.); (R.W.)
| | - Rafał Watrowski
- Faculty of Medicine (Associate), University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.G.V.); (R.W.)
| | - Fabio Barra
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (F.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Maurizio Nicola D’Alterio
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (M.N.D.); (S.A.)
| | - Jose Carugno
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences Department, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA;
| | - Thozhukat Sathyapalan
- Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK;
| | - Ilker Kahramanoglu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Emsey Hospital, 34912 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Enrique Reyes-Muñoz
- Department of Gynecological and Perinatal Endocrinology, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City 11000, Mexico;
| | - Li-Te Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No. 386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City 81362, Taiwan;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, No. 155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong Street, Pei-Tou, Taipei 11265, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung City 80424, Taiwan
| | - Bulent Urman
- Centre for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, American Hospital, 34365 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility Centre Istanbul, Koc University, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Simone Ferrero
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (F.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Stefano Angioni
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (M.N.D.); (S.A.)
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Harrison BJ, Hilton TN, Rivière RN, Ferraro ZM, Deonandan R, Walker MC. Advanced maternal age: ethical and medical considerations for assisted reproductive technology. Int J Womens Health 2017; 9:561-570. [PMID: 28860865 PMCID: PMC5566409 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s139578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review explores the ethical and medical challenges faced by women of advanced maternal age who decide to have children. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) make post-menopausal pregnancy physiologically plausible, however, one must consider the associated physical, psychological, and sociological factors involved. METHODS A quasi-systematic review was conducted in PubMed and Ovid using the key terms post-menopause, pregnancy + MeSH terms [donations, hormone replacement therapy, assisted reproductive technologies, embryo donation, donor artificial insemination, cryopreservation]. Overall, 28 papers encompassing two major themes (ethical and medical) were included in the review. CONCLUSION There are significant ethical considerations and medical (maternal and fetal) complications related to pregnancy in peri- and post-menopausal women. When examining the ethical and sociological perspective, the literature portrays an overall positive attitude toward pregnancy in advanced maternal age. With respect to the medical complications, the general consensus in the evaluated studies suggests that there is greater risk of complication for spontaneous pregnancy when the mother is older (eg, >35 years old). This risk can be mitigated by careful medical screening of the mother and the use of ARTs in healthy women. In these instances, a woman of advanced maternal age who is otherwise healthy can carry a pregnancy with a similar risk profile to that of her younger counterparts when using donated oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara N Hilton
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Zachary M Ferraro
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Raywat Deonandan
- University of Ottawa Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark C Walker
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Bittner U, Eichinger T. An ethical assessment of postmenopausal motherhood against the backdrop of successful antiaging medicine. Rejuvenation Res 2011; 13:741-7. [PMID: 21208061 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2009.1012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
By creating fertility reserves, women are now able to become pregnant using their own eggs, even after menopause. Multiple arguments already exist against postmenopausal motherhood, most of which stress the potential risk of damage involved due to the mother's advanced age. Consequently, the question arises: Can successful antiaging medicine be applied to preserve or enhance cognitive and physical capacity at an advanced age and invalidate these objections? In this article, we shall explore this issue further and come to three main conclusions: (1) Until now, enabling postmenopausal women to become pregnant has not been a specific objective of antiaging medicine. (2) Postmenopausal motherhood can find legitimacy through the development and success of antiaging medicine. (3) The acceptance of postmenopausal motherhoods in our society first requires that antiaging medicine itself find some sort of ethical legitimacy. To evaluate the arguments for and against antiaging medicine and postmenopausal motherhood, it is important to take into consideration two points more in depth, which are constantly being impacted by both medical arguments alike: (1) The identity and role of medicine itself as well as (2) the normative role of our body`s natural boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uta Bittner
- Department of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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