TTP was effective in treating HSDD and improving sexual function in this study of naturally menopausal women with and without concurrent hormone therapy.

No abstract

ACTRN12612000281897.

The extent to which maternal transmission of primary dysmenorrhoea is genetically determined in adolescents and young women has yet to be determined. We aimed to assess heritability and associations relevant to primary pain syndromes using a twin family study. Methods:Participants were young menstruating female twins, and their oldest sisters and mothers, whose families were registered with Twins Research Australia and previously participated in a twin family study of primary paediatric pain disorders. Questionnaire packs were mailed, assessing current maximum and average menstrual pain intensity, current pain interference with activities and retrospective dysmenorrhea secondary symptoms. Results:The sample comprised 206 twin individuals (57 monozygous (MZ) and 46 dizygous (DZ) pairs) aged 10-22 years, eldest siblings (n = 38) aged 13-28 years and mothers (n = 101) aged 32-61 years. The estimated regression coefficient of the relationship between mother-daughter and twin-sibling dyads indicated significant associations for the measures of dysmenorrhea and supported heritability. Adjusted for age, the within twin-pair correlation for MZ twins was generally more than twice that of DZ twins. Heritability estimates were maximal pain intensity 0.67 (P = 3.8 × 10 −11 ), average pain intensity 0.63 (P = 3.7 × 10 −10 ), pain interference 0.57 (P = 1.8 × 10 −8 ) and retrospective symptoms 0.57 (P = 1.8 × 10 −8 ). Twin individuals with a lifetime (threemonth) history of iron deficiency and those with painless restless legs syndrome (RLS) were significantly more likely to have more intense pain associated with menstruation. Conclusion:Primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young women was shown to be relatively strongly genetically influenced and associated especially with a history of iron deficiency and painless RLS which have potential therapeutic implications.

BackgroundThe challenges of seeking or communicating genetic risk information in adoption, and the importance of open communication about risk in families with Huntington's disease (HD) are well documented. Family breakdown, and the need for fostering and adoption can be more common in HD. However, there is little empirical evidence about adopters' and adoptees' experiences.Aims(1) To describe and synthesise shared experiences of communication around adoption in HD and (2) to identify strategies for improving communication about HD between adoptees, adopters and adoption agencies.MethodsWe present an anonymised synthesis of cases from the Aberdeen Huntington's genetics and management clinics and the Scottish Huntington's Youth Service. We describe our challenges and successes in supporting adoptees (or those in permanent foster care) at risk of HD and their adopters, with a focus on information sharing.ResultsIn some cases, difficulties arose when adoption agencies sought to reduce or remove contact between parent and child in order to “shelter” the child from the burden of growing up at risk. In others, adoptees were disadvantaged by too much information being given too soon. Strategies to improve the communication process will be discussed.ConclusionsThese cases highlight: (1) the importance of improving quality of communication; (2) the potential for discrimination in the adoption and long-term fostering of children at risk of HD and (3) the potential burden for adopters who learn of a child's high risk. Together, genetics professionals and specialist voluntary organisations can offer complementary and synergistic input to adoption agencies and prospective adopters in order to improve the lives of adoptees from HD families.