Sexual health can be considered as a mirror of general health and, in turn, general health is a prerequisite for sexual heath. The aim of this study was to compare the different clinical features of erectile dysfunction (ED) in young and elderly males. From June 2011 to December 2011, 224 patients were included and divided into two groups. Elderly ED group consisted of 120 patients with ED and all were 61 -90 years old, and young ED group consisted of 104 patients with ED and all were 21 -45 years old. Questionnaires, physical examination, blood sample test, ultrasound monitor, time of achieving erection (TAE), intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT), ECG and penis-brachial blood pressure index (PBI) were investigated. There were significant differences between the two groups, regarding the top three complications, the body mass index (BMI), International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) scores, Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) total scores, TAE, IELT and PBI. We concluded that clinical features of ED were age-specific, which will be helpful for treatment strategies and evaluation of the treatment efficacy.
Our in vitro system was beneficial for POF-iPSCs differentiated cells to express STELLA, VASA and SCP3, which were the markers of meiosis initiation of FGCs.
Acupuncture is an important method of treatment in Chinese medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjuvant treatment for unexplained infertility. Here we conducted a prospective study, with data consisting of acupuncture group (38 cases) and control group (42 cases). Infertility evaluation workup consisted of semen analysis, ovulation assessment, hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and blood analysis. The patients in acupuncture group received 3 acupuncture sessions, and each at seven acupuncture points (EX-CA1, CV4, CV6, SP10, ST36, SP6, and KI3). The session started 12 days before menstruation and continued for 10 days. The patients in control group did not receive acupuncture. All patients tried 1 -3 natural cycles 3 months after HSG test, if not pregnant, underwent 1 -3 cycles of control ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and timed intercourse. Pregnancy was evaluated by measurement of blood β human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) and subsequent trans-vaginal ultrasound. No significant difference of clinical pregnancy rate was found between the acupuncture group and the control group, however, numbers of COH cycles were significantly less and more pregnancies occurred in natural cycle in the acupuncture group. We concluded that acupuncture can be used as an adjuvant treatment for unexplained infertility. Although acupuncture did not increase the cumulative pregnancy rate, it decreased the number of COH cycles and more patients got pregnant in natural cycles after receiving acupuncture.
Introduction:Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an important treatment for infertility. IUI combined with controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is widely used because of the higher pregnancy rates compared to IUI cycles without COS.Material and methods:We retrospectively analyzed a single center data from 458 patients underwent the first IUI cycle and had only 1 mature follicle from May 2009 to January 20144. 48 cycles were performed with Clomiphene citrate/Letrozole (CC/LE), 244 cycles with gonadotropins (Gn), 71 cycles with CC/LE+Gn, and 95 cycles in NC group.Results:Results showed that doctors preferred Gn protocol (53.3%) (p<0.05). Older patients were more likely to be allocated to CC/LE or NC group. 98.95% patients in NC group had regular menstruation cycle, with only 49.3% in CC/LE+Gn group (p<0.05). Estradiol (E2) level was much higher in COS groups than in NC group (p<0.05, for one mature follicle patients), and no significant differences were found within the COS groups. Duration of reaching follicles maturation was the shortest in Gn group and the longest in NC group, and NC group has the smallest follicular diameter (p<0.05).Conclusion:No significances were found regarding the IUI outcomes. To sum up, doctors prefer COS for IUI. Patients’ age, menstruation cycle, infertile etiology and ovary function were the main factors affecting doctors’ selection of COS protocols.
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