Segmental Acupuncture for Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. A Randomised Clinical Trial.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common medical problem and prophylaxis of recurrent UTIs is an ongoing clinical challenge. In the present study we examined whether acupuncture is able to prevent recurrent UTIs in women.

Methods: This multicentre randomised controlled trial, based at a University clinic and private acupuncture clinics, recruited women suffering from recurrent uncomplicated UTIs.

Aesthetic Outcome and Psychosexual Distress After Treatment for Vulvar High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions.

Objectives: This study compared aesthetic outcome, psychosexual distress, and treatment satisfaction between women receiving surgical treatment or medical treatment with imiquimod for vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

Materials And Methods: This is an extended analysis of the multicenter, randomized noninferiority trial "topical imiquimod versus surgery for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia." Patients were randomized to primary topical treatment or surgery and stratified by unifocal or multifocal disease.

Vaginal laser therapy versus hyaluronic acid suppositories for women with symptoms of urogenital atrophy after treatment for breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Urogenital atrophy affects >50 % of women after breast cancer (BC) and there is reluctance to use local estrogen for this group. Hormone-free therapies like intravaginal laser therapy and hyaluronic acid suppositories have been shown to produce symptom relief in women with BC and urogenital atrophy, but have not been tested against each other. The aim of this study was to compare these nonhormonal modalities in women with urogenital atrophy after BC in a randomized fashion.

Does mode of delivery impact the course of cervical dysplasia in pregnancy? A review of 219 cases.

Objective: The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in pregnancy is about 1%. The aim of this study was to analyze the regression, persistence and progression rates of cervical dysplasia in pregnancy and the impact of delivery mode.

Study Design: In this retrospective study, data from pregnant patients with abnormal cytology findings, who presented to a colposcopic outpatient clinic of a university hospital within the last 10 years, were analyzed.

Topical imiquimod versus surgery for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: a multicentre, randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial.

Background: The optimal management of vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (vHSILs) is challenging. Surgery is the standard treatment, but recurrences are observed in half of patients. Medical treatment with imiquimod is an effective alternative, but the two modalities have not been compared in a randomised trial.

Topical imiquimod compared with conization to treat cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions: Multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

Objective: In a previous phase II trial, we showed that topical imiquimod (IMQ) therapy is an efficacious treatment for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Aim of the present study was to investigate the non-inferiority of a 16-week topical, self-applied IMQ therapy compared to large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) in patients diagnosed with HSIL.

Methods: Phase III randomized, controlled, multicenter, open trial performed by Austrian Gynecologic Oncology group.

Microablative Erbium: YAG Laser Therapy for Vulvodynia - A Report on Efficacy, Safety, and Treatment Satisfaction.

Introduction: Treatment for vulvodynia is challenging and a multidisciplinary approach is recommended.

Aim: To examine the effectiveness, safety and treatment satisfaction of vulvovaginal microablative laser treatment for vulvodynia.

Methods: Case study of women who received laser treatment as part of a multidisciplinary treatment program for vulvodynia.

Longitudinal Study of Pelvic Floor Characteristics Before, During, and After Pregnancy in Nulliparous Women.

Objectives: To investigate the changes in the pelvic floor before, during, and after pregnancy in the same collective of nulliparous women.

Methods: In a prospective observational pilot study between April 2015 and June 2019 in nulliparous women with planned pregnancy, we used the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system; a 2-dimensional (2D) sonography to investigate the bladder neck, cervix, and anorectal junction positions; and a 3D/4D sonography to measure the hiatus of the levator ani muscle (LH area) during Valsalva maneuver. Five visits were planned: 1 before, 3 during, and 1 visit after pregnancy.

Do different treatment strategies influence women's level of psychosexual distress? Observational cohort study of women with premalignant HPV-associated genital lesions.

Objective: To examine the impact of different treatment strategies - surgical treatment or watchful waiting- on sexual activity, psychosocial distress, and fear of progression in women with Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated premalignant genital lesions.

Study Design: Observational cohort study of women diagnosed with HPV-associated premalignant lesions of the cervix, vagina or vulva. Patients were stratified into two groups depending on the severity of their premalignancy: surgical treatment or watchful waiting.

Definition of apical descent in women with and without previous hysterectomy: A retrospective analysis.

Background: While normal pelvic organ support has been defined for women with intact uterus, this is not the case for post- hysterectomy vault descent. A recent systematic review found that definitions of apical prolapse are highly variable.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between prolapse symptoms and apical POP-Q measurements and establish cutoffs for 'significant apical descent using receiver-operator characteristics (ROC) statistics.

Correction: Sonographic sling position and cure rate 10-years after TVT- O procedure.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Sonographic sling position and cure rate 10-years after TVT- O procedure.

Aim: To examine the position of the TVT-O sling 10 years postoperatively and its association with outcome.

Methods: A total of 124 patients who received a TVT-O sling at two centers in 2004 and 2007 were invited for follow-up. The position of the sling on perineal ultrasound was described relative to the bladder neck and the lower margin of the pubic symphysis at rest and on Valsalva.

Vulvodynia and chronic pelvic pain in a gynecologic outpatient clinic.

Vulvodynia and chronic pelvic pain are common but underdiagnosed chronic gynecologic pain syndromes. Insufficient knowledge regarding prevalence, typical pain patterns and associated factors contribute to delayed diagnosis. The present study explored the symptoms and characteristics of women presenting with vulvodynia and/or chronic pelvic pain to a gynecologic outpatient clinic.

Prenatal acupuncture: Women's expectations and satisfaction and influence on labor.

Background: Use of prenatal acupuncture for labor preparation is common, but there is still conflicting evidence with respect to its objective obstetric benefits. There is little information on women's expectations and subjective experiences with acupuncture treatments.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a validated questionnaire on women's treatment satisfaction was sent to women who had received prenatal acupuncture at the obstetric clinic of the Medical University of Graz, Austria within the last 3 years.

Psychometric properties and validation of two global impression questionnaires (PGI-S, PGI-I) for stress incontinence in a German-speaking female population.

Aims: The Patient Global Index of Severity (PGI-S) and the Patient Global Index of Improvement (PGI-I) are global impression questionnaires developed in English and validated in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This validation study tested the psychometric properties of German-language versions of the two questionnaires in German-speaking women with SUI.

Methods: The German-language PGI-S and PGI-I were psychometrically tested and validated using the SF-12 questionnaire, the Kinǵs Health Questionnaire (KHQ), clinical parameters, incontinence episode frequency and pad use in 311 patients before and 3 months after receiving a TVT-O or TVT tape for SUI.

Quality of life and objective outcome assessment in women with tape division after surgery for stress urinary incontinence.

Background: Midurethral tapes may cause long-term complications such as voiding dysfunction, groin pain, de novo urgency or mesh erosion, which necessitate a reoperation. There is a paucity of data regarding health related quality of life in patients undergoing tape removal. The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of life (QoL) and objective outcome after midurethral tape division or excision.

Objective outcome and quality-of-life assessment in women with repeat incontinence surgery.

Aims: To evaluate subjective and objective outcome after repeat surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods: Patients who underwent a midurethral tape after failed Burch colposuspension or failed midurethal tape between 1999 and 2014 were invited for follow-up. Urogynecological examination and urodynamics was performed, and objective cure was defined as a negative cough stress test; subjective cure was defined as negotiation of SUI symptoms.

Levator ani trauma and pelvic organ prolapse - a comparison of three translabial ultrasound scoring systems.

Introduction: The study aimed to analyze the relation between the degree of puborectalis muscle trauma and subjective symptoms and objective findings of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), comparing two continuous scoring systems with a discrete scoring system for translabial ultrasound imaging.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective observational study the records of patients attending a tertiary urogynecological unit between January 2012 and December 2014 were analyzed. POP assessment included a standardized interview, clinical examination using Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification and four-dimensional translabial ultrasound.

Ten-Year Followup after Tension-Free Vaginal Tape-Obturator Procedure for Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Purpose: Suburethral tapes are a standard surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence. The aim of the study was to evaluate subjective and objective cure rates 10 years after a tension-free vaginal tape-obturator procedure.

Materials And Methods: All 124 patients who underwent the tension-free vaginal tape-obturator procedure at a total of 2 centers in 2004 and 2005 were invited for followup.

German translation and validation of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-IUGA revised (PISQ-IR).

Introduction And Hypothesis: Condition-specific sexual questionnaires are essential for clinical trials and important patient-reported outcome measures. The aim of the study was to translate the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-International Urogynecology Association Revised (PISQ-IR) into German and to clinically validate it in a German-speaking population.

Methods: The translated PISQ-IR was linguistically validated in two rounds of cognitive interviews.

Sexual Activity, Psychosexual Distress, and Fear of Progression in Women With Human Papillomavirus-Related Premalignant Genital Lesions.

Introduction: Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are very common in women 18 to 30 years old and substantially affect women's sexual health.

Aim: To examine sexual activity, psychosexual distress, and fear of progression in women diagnosed with HPV-related precancerous genital lesions.

Methods: In this observational study, women diagnosed with premalignant lesions of the cervix, vagina, or vulva were recruited from a university hospital-based colposcopy clinic.

p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology testing may predict postpartum outcome in patients with abnormal papanicolaou cytology during pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a new immunocytochemical dual-staining protocol, which allows for the detection of coexpression of the p16(INK4a) (p16) and Ki-67 biomarkers in prenatal care. It was hypothesized that dual-staining cytology may predict postpartum outcome in patients with abnormal cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smears during pregnancy.

Study Design: In this retrospective pilot study, 27 abnormal Pap smears collected from women during early pregnancy were destained and subsequently stained for p16/Ki-67.

The "bother" of urinary incontinence.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Patient reported measures are important for the evaluation of symptom-specific bother and the distinction between different types of urinary incontinence. The aim of the study was to assess the validity of physician administered visual analogue scales (VAS) for the bother from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI).

Methods: In this prospective cohort study based at a tertiary urogynecological unit, women attending for investigation of lower urinary tract symptoms (n = 504) were asked to indicate their subjective bother from SUI and UUI on a 10-cm VAS.

Urinary incontinence: the role of menopause.

Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of menopause and hormone therapy on the symptoms and signs of stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence.

Methods: Records of women who attended a tertiary urogynecological unit were reviewed retrospectively. A standardized interview included evaluations of symptoms, menopause age (ie, time since last menstrual period or onset of menopausal symptoms), current or previous hormone use, and visual analogue scales for bother.