Total duration of spontaneous blastocyst collapse during the expansion stage is an independent predictor of euploidy and live birth rates.

Research Question: Is the total duration of spontaneous blastocyst collapse to re-expansion before biopsy related to ploidy and live birth rates after single euploid blastocyst transfer?

Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of 600 preimplantation genetic testing cycles for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles, involving 2203 biopsied blastocysts, at a large reproductive medicine centre. Features of spontaneous blastocyst collapse from full to expanded stage, before biopsy, were observed using an embryoscope viewer for embryos cultured in a time-lapse incubator. In total, 568 cycles of frozen blastocyst transfers, either single euploid or mosaic, were performed.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in Breast Cancer Survivors: Current Perspectives on the Role of Laser Therapy.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a frequent consequence of iatrogenic menopause or anti-estrogenic adjuvant therapies in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). GSM may profoundly affect sexual health and quality of life, and a multidimensional unique model of care is needed to address the burden of this chronic heterogeneous condition. Severe symptoms may be insufficiently managed with non-hormonal traditional treatments, such as moisturizers and lubricants, recommended as the first-line approach by current guidelines, because concerns exist around the use of vaginal estrogens, particularly in women on aromatase inhibitors (AIs).

Women's attitudes about combined hormonal contraception (CHC) - induced menstrual bleeding changes - influence of personality traits in an Italian clinical sample.

Objectives: We investigated the attitudes to change the frequency of menstrual bleeding by using combined hormonal contraception (CHC). Personality characteristics were also explored.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in two university hospitals in northern Italy.

The serum oestradiol/progesterone ratio on the day of OPU + 7, but not the day of OPU + 5, affects the rates of live birth in fresh blastocyst embryo transfer cycles.

Background: In an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, the embryo ends its wandering time and begins the process of implantation into the uterine cavity on the seventh day after oocyte pick-up (OPU + 7), which is closer than OPU + 5 to the time of nidation. Therefore, measuring the oestradiol (E2)/progesterone (P) ratio on OPU + 7 may be helpful for predicting pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 2,257 women undergoing a follicular-phase depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) protocol for in vitro fertilization /intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment and fresh blastocyst embryo transfer cycles at a university-affiliated fertility center between January 2016 and April 2021.

Missed opportunities in contraceptive counselling: findings from a European survey-based study with simulated patient consultation.

Purpose: Available evidence highlights unmet needs in contraceptive counselling practices. This study aimed to understand current practises and clinician behaviour across Europe.

Methods: A novel, online approach was used to simulate contraceptive counselling discussions based on three, predefined patient types with a hidden need: poor compliance (patient X), headaches (Y) or desire for a hormone-free option (Z).

Microablative Fractional CO Laser for Vulvovaginal Atrophy in Women With a History of Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study at 4-week Follow-up.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female cancer worldwide. Menopausal symptoms are a well-known side effect in women with BC and have a significant negative impact on quality of life (QoL) and sexuality. Nowadays, hormonal replacement therapy and local estrogens are the most common prescriptions to treat vulvovaginal (VVA) symptoms.

The European Vulvovaginal Epidemiological Survey (EVES). Impact of history of breast cancer on prevalence, symptoms, sexual function and quality of life related to vulvovaginal atrophy.

Objective: Women with history of breast cancer (HBC) frequently suffer from vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). European Vulvovaginal Epidemiology Survey (EVES) sub-analysis assesses the impact of HBC on VVA, sexual life and quality of life (QoL) in postmenopausal women.

Materials And Methods: Women with at least one VVA symptom aged 45-75 years were included.

Migraine, low-dose combined hormonal contraceptives, and ischemic stroke in young women: a systematic review and suggestions for future research.

: Migraine and combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) increase the risk of ischemic stroke in young women; however, the contribution of low-dose (<50 μg ethinylestradiol) CHCs to the risk of ischemic stroke in young women with migraine is not well defined.: The authors performed a systematic review of observational studies indexed in PubMed and Scopus from inception to 22 May 2019, reporting the effect sizes of ischemic stroke in women with migraine using low-dose CHCs compared with those without migraine not using CHCs. All the four included case-control studies, including a total of 12,256 women, reported increased odds of ischemic stroke in women with migraine and low-dose CHC use compared with those without migraine not using CHCs.

Correction to: Hormonal contraceptives and risk of ischemic stroke in women with migraine: a consensus statement from the European Headache Federation (EHF) and the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC).

Following the publication of this article [1], the authors noticed that they incorrectly reported the Absolute risk of ischemic stroke in women aged 20 to 44 years in relation to the use of hormonal contraception and migraine status due to a miscalculation. They apologize for this misreported result.

Effect of exogenous estrogens and progestogens on the course of migraine during reproductive age: a consensus statement by the European Headache Federation (EHF) and the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESCRH).

We systematically reviewed data about the effect of exogenous estrogens and progestogens on the course of migraine during reproductive age. Thereafter a consensus procedure among international experts was undertaken to develop statements to support clinical decision making, in terms of possible effects on migraine course of exogenous estrogens and progestogens and on possible treatment of headache associated with the use or with the withdrawal of hormones. Overall, quality of current evidence is low.

Dietary underreporting in women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome: A pilot study.

Aim: The first-line therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is weight loss focussing on diet and regular exercise; measurement of diet and energy intake (EI) is important to determine associations between nutrients and health in women with PCOS. The EI underreporting (UR) is a condition characterised by reports of habitual EI that is implausibly low, compared with estimated requirements. This case-control study aims to evaluate UR in women with PCOS.

Dynamic Quadripolar Radiofrequency: Pilot Study of a New High-Tech Strategy for Prevention and Treatment of Vulvar Atrophy.

Background: The well-being of the vulva and a woman's quality of life are strongly correlated. Dynamic quadripolar radiofrequency (DQRF), one of the newest nonsurgical light- and energy-based vulvar rejuvenation technologies, has been demonstrated to be an effective option in aesthetic gynecology.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform qualitative and semiquantitative evaluations of short-term changes in vulvar aesthetics to illustrate the efficacy of an accelerated DQRF vulvar rejuvenation program in women with mild to moderate vulvar atrophy.

Perspectives on counseling patients about menopausal hormone therapy: strategies in a complex data environment.

Objective: This narrative review strives to give healthcare providers (HCPs) who care for menopausal women better tools and skills to initiate discussions with women about menopause and hormone therapy (HT), communicate complex concepts and data, and promote shared decision-making.

Methods: We review relevant studies on HT, barriers to treatment of menopausal symptoms, and effective communication strategies. We also provide recommendations for communicating with patients about HT based on the medical literature and our own professional experience.

Male perception about the inconveniences associated with monthly bleeding for their partner - an international survey.

Objective: To assess men's perceptions about monthly bleeding and associated inconveniences for their partner, as well as men's attitudes regarding the desired menstruation frequency for their partner and knowledge about hormonal contraceptives.

Methods: A 15 min quantitative online survey was conducted among 5044 men aged 18-45 years, who had been in a relationship for more than 6 months, across 13 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland). Responses were compared to those obtained in a similar study among European women.

Efficacy and tolerability of a spray formulation containing Visnadine in women self-reporting sexual symptoms: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study.

Purpose: The aim of this pilot, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, was to evaluate both the efficacy and the tolerability of a formulation for vulvar application containing Visnadine, a natural extractive substance with vasoactive properties, (ReFeel spray, IDI Integratori Dietetici Italiani S.r.l.

The inconvenience due to women's monthly bleeding (ISY) survey: a study of premenstrual symptoms among 5728 women in Europe.

Objectives: The aim of the ISY study was to investigate the prevalence of menstrual-related symptoms prior to and/or during menstrual or withdrawal bleeding among women from 12 European countries.

Methods: A 15-min quantitative online survey was conducted in two waves from February to September 2015 among 5728 women aged between 18 and 45 years, with an equal distribution of women using a combined hormonal contraceptive, including regular combined oral contraceptives (COCs) (CHC group, n = 2739) and women using a non-hormonal contraceptive or no contraceptive (non-HC group, n = 2989).

Results: The prevalence of at least one menstrual-related symptom was high in CHC users (93%) and in non-HC users (95%) (p < .

Hormonal contraceptives and risk of ischemic stroke in women with migraine: a consensus statement from the European Headache Federation (EHF) and the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC).

Several data indicate that migraine, especially migraine with aura, is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke and other vascular events. Of concern is whether the risk of ischemic stroke in migraineurs is magnified by the use of hormonal contraceptives. As migraine prevalence is high in women of reproductive age, it is common to face the issue of migraine and hormonal contraceptive use in clinical practice.

Development and conceptual validation of a questionnaire to help contraceptive choice: CHLOE (Contraception: HeLping for wOmen's choicE).

Objective: The aim of this research was to develop a questionnaire to facilitate choice of the most appropriate contraceptive method for individual women.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify key aspects influencing contraceptive choice and inform development of a questionnaire for online completion. Questionnaire development was overseen by a steering committee consisting of eight gynaecologists from across Europe.

Women's preferences for menstrual bleeding frequency in 12 European countries: the Inconvenience Due to Women's Monthly Bleeding (ISY) survey.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the level of inconvenience associated with menstrual bleeding and determine how many women across 12 European countries would prefer a bleeding frequency of less than once a month and what would motivate their choice.

Methods: A 15-min quantitative online survey was conducted in two waves among 5728 women aged between 18 and 45 years, with an equal distribution of women using a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC group, n = 2739) and women using a non-hormonal contraceptive or no contraceptive (non-HC group, n = 2989). The first wave was carried out in Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland and Spain, in February 2015, and the results have been published.

Missed pills: frequency, reasons, consequences and solutions.

Objectives: Oral hormonal contraception is an effective contraceptive method as long as regular daily intake is maintained. However, a daily routine is a constraint for many women and can lead to missed pills, pill discontinuation and/or unintended pregnancy. This article describes the frequency of inconsistent use, the consequences, the risk factors and the possible solutions.

Modulation of nociceptive threshold by combined hormonal contraceptives in women with oestrogen-withdrawal migraine attacks: a pilot study.

Background: Menstrually-related headache and headaches associated with oestrogen withdrawal are common conditions, whose pathophysiology has not been completely elucidated. In this study we evaluated the influence of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) on pain threshold in women presenting migraine attacks during hormone-free interval.

Findings: Eleven women with migraine attacks recurring exclusively during the oestrogen-withdrawal period were studied with the nociceptive flexion reflex, a neurophysiological assessment of the pain control systems, during the third week of active treatment and during the hormone-free interval.

Efficacy, tolerability and safety of a new medical device, Monurelle Biogel(®) vaginal gel, in the treatment of vaginal dryness: a randomized clinical trial in women of reproductive age.

Objective: To prove the efficacy, tolerability and safety of Monurelle Biogel(®) (ZP-025) vaginal gel, which contains a purified, dialyzed, lyophilized bovine colostrum, in women of reproductive age suffering from vaginal dryness.

Design: Randomized clinical trial (RCT) (Z7213M01).

Setting: Five University Gynaecological Units.

Women's preferences for menstrual bleeding frequency: results of the Inconvenience Due to Women's Monthly Bleeding (ISY) survey.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the level of inconvenience associated with monthly bleeding, determine how many women would prefer a bleeding frequency of less than once a month, and what would motivate their choice.

Methods: A 15-min quantitative online survey was carried out among 2883 women aged between 18 and 45 years in six European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland and Spain).

Results: Of those surveyed, 1319 women used a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC group) and 1564 used a non-hormonal contraceptive or no contraceptive (non-HC group).