What Are Consumers Looking for With Boric Acid?

Two separate online surveys were presented to women who were confirmed to have purchased a boric acid vaginal suppository product in the previous year for themselves March 2020 (study 1) and July 2023 (study 2) to understand consumer expectations concerning the use of vaginal boric acid. Study 1 found that repeat purchasers are more likely to buy boric acid products to prevent symptoms, especially bacterial vaginosis. Study 2 confirmed boric acid was more likely to be purchased for prevention than treatment, especially odor/bacterial vaginosis, with 83% reporting they were satisfied and 40% reporting they were extremely satisfied.

Changing the paradigm: Elimination - Not only of cervical cancer.

The WHO's initiative to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 does not address the increasing incidence of vulvar, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers linked to high-risk HPV. Currently, the prevention of these three cancers faces various obstacles, such as a lack of specialized screening programs, well-defined management guidelines, and widespread public awareness. Without any interventions, the incidence of these three cancers will likely rise in the upcoming years, increasingly affecting younger individuals.

The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) Vulvar Awareness Day Campaign: Knowledge of Vulvovaginal Diseases Among Italian Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate vulvovaginal disease (VVD) awareness in Italian obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residents.

Materials And Methods: A 25-question survey on VVD basic knowledge (17 questions) and willingness to improve it (8 questions) was distributed through Ob/Gyn resident online group chats, from different Italian Universities in January 2023. A total number of 250 residents were invited to participate; 124 responses were obtained (response rate: 50%).

Reply to De Giorgi et al. Comment on "Kesić et al. Early Diagnostics of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia. 2022, , 1822".

We thank you and your co-authors for the comment [...

Vaginal Leptothrix: An Innocent Bystander?

Leptothrix are long bacteria of rare occurrence; although these bacteria have been implicated in causing vaginal symptoms identical to candidiasis, studies on prevalence and effect on overall vaginal health are lacking. In this study, we evaluated data of women referred to a private clinic for treating vulvovaginal symptoms (n = 1847) and reassessed data of our previous and ongoing studies (n = 1773). The overall rate of leptothrix was 2.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD) and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) Consensus Statements on Pre-invasive Vulvar Lesions.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vulvar squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, vulvar Paget disease in situ, and melanoma in situ. For differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), an excisional procedure must always be adopted. For vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (VHSIL), both excisional procedures and ablative ones can be used.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD) and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vulvar squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, vulvar Paget disease in situ, and melanoma in situ. For differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), an excisional procedure must always be adopted. For vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (VHSIL), both excisional procedures and ablative ones can be used.

Early Diagnostics of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

The spectrum of vulvar lesions ranges from infective and benign dermatologic conditions to vulvar precancer and invasive cancer. Distinction based on the characteristics of vulvar lesions is often not indicative of histology. Vulvoscopy is a useful tool in the examination of vulvar pathology.

Risk of Development of Vulvar Cancer in Women With Lichen Sclerosus or Lichen Planus: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) and possibly vulvar lichen planus (VLP) are associated with an increased vulvar cancer (VC) risk. We analyzed the risk of VC and its precursors after a diagnosis of VLS or VLP.

Materials And Methods: A search was performed to identify articles describing the development of vulvar neoplasia in women with VLS or VLP.

Topical Treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: An Expert Consensus.

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), defined as three or more confirmed infections over 1 year, occurs in up to 10% of women. In these women, the objective is often symptomatic control rather than mycologic cure. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend oral fluconazole as first-line maintenance, but state if this oral regimen is not feasible, intermittent topical treatments can be considered.

Vulvar High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions and Cancer as a Risk Factor for Anal Cancer: A Review.

Objectives: Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) has a higher incidence described in certain groups, namely, in women with vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (vHSILs) and/or human papillomavirus squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). This review describes terminology, vHSIL, and VSCC in their association with ASCC and the published recommendations for early detection of this cancer in these women.

Materials And Methods: A narrative review was conducted by the authors on vHSIL and VSCC as risk factors for ASCC.

G-spot: Fact or Fiction?: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: The G-spot, a putative erogenous area in the anterior vaginal wall, is a widely accepted concept in the mainstream media, but controversial in medical literature.

Aim: Review of the scientific data concerning the existence, location, and size of the G-spot.

Methods: Search on Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Cochrane, clinicaltrials.

Management of postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy: recommendations of the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease.

Objective: To develop a best practice document for the management of postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).

Method: Literature review carried out using clinical terms, treatments or interventions and comorbidity related to VVA.

Results: There is a wide variety of interventions that may produce temporal benefits for VVA.

Clinical manifestations and evaluation of postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy.

Introduction: It is estimated that 50% of women will suffer a severe form of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) related to menopause. Equally, young women may temporarily present this clinical problem while receiving various pharmacological or endocrine treatments or radiotherapy.

Aim: To determine clinical and diagnostic exams required to confirm the presence of VVA (also referred to as atrophic vaginitis, urogenital atrophy, or genitourinary syndrome of menopause) and rule out other genital or pelvic clinical conditions.

Accuracy of Vaginal pH Testing Before and After Addition of Sterile Saline.

Objective: Complaints of vaginal discharge are common, and vaginal pH is important diagnostically. Vaginal pH is measured either directly using pH paper or after wet mount analysis. This study aims to analyze whether a significant change in vaginal pH after saline addition exists.

The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease Vaginal Wet Mount Microscopy Guidelines: How to Perform, Applications, and Interpretation.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to assess the available literature concerning the indications, performance, technique, and classification of wet mount microscopy (WMM) and to establish evidence-based recommendations.

Methods: Literature review from the main scientific databases was performed by the ad hoc "Vaginitis and Microbiome Committee" of the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease. The document was approved by the executive council and membership of the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease.

Knowledge of Vulvar Anatomy and Self-examination in a Sample of Italian Women.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge of vulvar anatomy and vulvar self-examination (VSE) in a sample of Italian women attending a gynecology clinic.

Methods: For this original research from May to July 2019, 512 women attending the Lower Genital Tract Clinic at the Department of Surgical Sciences of the University of Torino were invited to participate in a 29-question survey about vulvar anatomy, VSE, and sociodemographic details. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Is the age of cervical cancer diagnosis changing over time?

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if there has been an increase in the age of diagnosis of cervical cancer over time, specifically in the proportion of patients over 65 years old, given decreasing rates of hysterectomy.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of a single institution was conducted including cervical cancer patients seen between 1986 and 2016. Data included demographic variables including age of diagnosis, last cervical cancer screening, and cancer information.

Effect of Obesity on Cervical Cancer Screening and Outcomes.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to identify whether obese women are less appropriately screened for cervical cancer before diagnosis and to explore related cancer outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cervical cancer patients at a single institution between 1986 and 2016 and collected demographic information including age, cancer stage, body mass index (BMI), screening information, and cancer outcomes. Morbid obesity was defined as BMI of 40 kg/m or greater, obesity as BMI of 30 to less than 40 kg/m, and nonobese as BMI of less than 30 kg/m.

Five Percent Monolaurin Vaginal Gel for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that 5% monolaurin vaginal gel, a naturally occurring monoglyceride shown to have antimicrobial effects on vaginal pathogens without affecting Lactobacillus species, cures bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Materials And Methods: This was a multicenter, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial comparing 5% monolaurin vaginal gel to vehicle placebo (glycol-based) gel administered twice daily for 3 days. Nonpregnant, nonbreastfeeding women between ages 18 and 50 years were recruited and BV confirmed.

Reporting and Assessing the Quality of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies for Cervical Cancer Screening and Management.

Objective: We adapted the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool for studies of cervical cancer screening and management and used the adapted tool to evaluate the quality of studies included in a systematic review supporting the 2019 Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines.

Methods: We evaluated the quality of all studies included in our systematic review for postcolposcopy (n = 5) and posttreatment (n = 23) surveillance using QUADAS-2 criteria. Subsequently, we adapted signaling questions to indications of cervical cancer screening and management.

A Systematic Review of Tests for Postcolposcopy and Posttreatment Surveillance.

Objective: For the 2019 ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of diagnostic assays for postcolposcopy and posttreatment management.

Materials And Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify articles reporting on tests/assays for cervical cancer screening, triage, postcolposcopy surveillance, and posttreatment surveillance published between 2012 and 2019 in PubMed and Embase. Titles and abstracts were evaluated by co-authors for inclusion.