R. Kudesia

Menopausal implications of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy affecting up to 8 to 10% of reproductive-aged women. Although the medical and metabolic consequences of PCOS are well-described in young reproductive-aged women, its impact on female reproductive senescence and the menopausal transition is poorly understood. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the effect of PCOS is menopausal and perimenopausal women. We also highlight areas that are ripe for clinical research.

Curbside consultations in the era of social media connectivity and the creation of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Forum

Social media, as defined by Wikipedia, the social encyclopedia, is a computer-mediated tool that allows people to create, share, or exchange information, career interests, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks. A Google search for the term yields 1.2 billion hits and you are hard pressed to get through your morning coffee without being asked to give or receive information through one of the many outlets that fall under this umbrella. Given its meteoric rise, it was only a matter of time before electronic connectivitys impact on the medical field was felt. A Pubmed search for ‘‘social media’’ as the keyword in 2007 would have yielded zero search results, although ‘‘social networks’’ were noted to have ‘‘considerable opportunity to advance the public health’’ (1). The first four results for ‘‘social media’’ were listed the ensuing year in 2008 followed by an exponential rise culminating in nearly 4,000 results in the medical literature as of January 2016. Not only is it being studied in terms of patient and physician interaction, it has also become a ‘‘hallway forum’’ for the old curbside consultation. There is little doubt that the way the world electronically communicates is changing, and the medical field is no exception. This evolution in medical communication brings along with it some significant concerns. Many question the validity or trustworthiness of information dispersed on social media given the lack of requirements or disclosure of user qualifications. Most platforms require only an internet connection, circumventing the traditional gatekeepers previously in place in the media. A second concern is the existence of disparities in social media, less having to do with access in modern society, and more having to do with the desire to learn the new skills required to function in this quickly evolving environment— the so called ‘‘digital divide.’’ These issues take a backseat to privacy which is of paramount concern when discussing social media in the medical community. In the era of big datamining, electronicfingerprints are constantly being captured, processed, and analyzed. Indeed, electronic tracking via third party applications allow data miningwithout user consent or knowledge. Socialmedia integration in the work environment can lead to conflicts with employees and employers as popular platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others, are used to fulfill professional roles when they are better suited for social communication. These concerns over both patient and personal confidentiality, reputation, and risk management need to be acknowledged and squarely addressed. In a study of 57 general surgery residency programs in 2014, 32% of residents had publically identifiable Facebook profiles that contained unprofessional content ranging from binge drinking and sexually suggestive photographs to clear violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 26% of cases (2). In response to this growth and in an attempt to establish guidelines for its membership, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued Committee Opinion 622 in February 2015, which addressed the use of

Thin endometrium after radiation therapy as an unresolved treatment challenge: a case report

Abstract Receptive endometrium is essential for successful implantation and ongoing pregnancy. Significant health issues and associated therapies, especially oncologic therapies, have potential to negatively impact future fertility in young women. Irradiation and chemotherapeutic alkylating agents are known to cause ovarian failure in most females; however, less well is characterized the impact of irradiation on uterine development and integrity. With an increasing number of cancer survivors, women are seeking infertility treatment after such therapies. Here, we present a young woman who developed ovarian failure after the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with bone marrow transplant and preceding irradiation and chemotherapy and who was diagnosed with thin endometrial lining while seeking infertility therapy.