A forgotten disease: Pelvic congestion syndrome as a cause of chronic lower abdominal pain.

Objectives: Pelvic congestion syndrome is defined as chronic pelvic pain due to incompetent (dilated and refluxing) pelvic veins. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of this condition by examining the prevalence of dilated ovarian and para-uterine veins in pre- and postmenopausal female patients, irrespective of their symptoms. We subsequently investigated how many women with dilated veins suffered from chronic pelvic pain.

Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2013: results generated from European registers by ESHRE.

Study Question: Are there any changes in the treatments involving ART and IUI initiated in Europe during 2013 compared with previous years?

Summary Answer: An increase in the overall number of ART cycles resulting from a higher number of countries reporting data was evident, the pregnancy rates (PRs) in 2013 remained stable compared with those reported in 2012, the number of transfers with multiple embryos (3+) was lower than ever before yet the multiple delivery rates (DRs) remained unchanged, and IUI activity and success rates were similar to those of last years.

What Is Known Already: Since 1997, ART data in Europe have been collected and reported in 16 manuscripts, published in Human Reproduction.

Study Design, Size, Duration: Retrospective data collection of European ART data by the European IVF-monitoring Consortium for ESHRE.

Women's awareness and periconceptional use of folic acid: data from a large European survey.

Objective: To investigate the awareness and use of folic acid in European women of child-bearing age, particularly in the setting of pregnancy and pregnancy planning.

Methods: Between November 2009 and December 2009, women aged 15-49 years old from 18 European countries completed a 30-minute structured questionnaire either online or via face-to-face interviews. To achieve nationally representative samples for each country quotas were set for age, education, income, and regional distribution.

The vaginal ring (NuvaRing®) for contraception in adolescent women.

Adolescence is a phase of life of utmost importance for the present and future physical, psychological, and social health of individuals of both genders. Contraception as a preventive measure and behavior has to be integrated into this developmental context. The aim hereby is not only the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, but also the maintenance and promotion of reproductive and sexual health in a broader sense.

Is a routine ultrasound in the third trimester justified? Additional fetal anomalies diagnosed after two previous unremarkable ultrasound examinations.

Purpose: The detection of fetal structural abnormalities is a routine part of antenatal care. Ultrasound examination policies vary among European countries. An additional ultrasound for fetal structural anomalies in the 3 rd trimester seems important for many reasons.

Selective visualization of the Fallopian tube with magnetic resonance imaging.

At present, X-ray hysterosalpingography is used commonly as a screening method for testing Fallopian tube patency, but the results are often unreliable due to mucous plugs or muscular contractions. Selective catheterization of the tubes under X-ray control is feasible, but is rarely used due to exposure of young individuals aiming for pregnancy to a high ionizing dose. Here, a case is described of a patient whose Fallopian tubes were selectively catheterized and visualized three-dimensionally under contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance using a high-viscous gadoteric acid solution (Dotarem).

Progesterone serum levels during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle originate from the crosstalk between the ovaries and the adrenal cortex.

Background: The preovulatory rise of progesterone is important for ovulation, but both its regulation and its origin are controversial. Three experiments were performed to determine whether follicular phase progesterone arises from the ovary, the adrenal cortex or both.

Methods: The first study was performed in patients scheduled for assisted reproduction, who received a long-acting GnRH agonist either during intake of an oral contraceptive or during the luteal phase of an otherwise untreated menstrual cycle.

Characterization of an immortalized human granulosa cell line (COV434).

We have investigated the biological characteristics of an immortalized granulosa cell line (COV434), which may be used to study follicular and oocyte maturation in vitro. Granulosa cell function was defined as consisting of three distinct properties: (i) production of 17beta-oestradiol in response to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH); (ii) presence of specific molecular markers of apoptosis enabling the induction of follicular atresia; and (iii) capacity to form intercellular connections with cells surrounding an oocyte. The addition of FSH to the culture medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and 4-androstene-3,17-dione resulted in proliferation of the COV434 granulosa cells and in an increased synthesis of 17beta-oestradiol, indicating the presence of the FSH receptor and cytochrome P450 aromatase in these cells.

Prospective evaluation of the ultrasound appearance of the endometrium in a cohort of 1,186 infertile women.

Objective: To investigate the effect of differences in endometrial thickness and pattern as visualized with present-day high-resolution transvaginal ultrasound equipment on the outcome of assisted reproductive treatment.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Two large infertility units in university hospitals.