Medical literature

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A continually evolving bibliography of literature in the Restorative Reproductive Medicine space. Articles of particular interest are highlighed. Topics include: 

Achieving pregnancy - subfertility & infertility

Heartache to Happiness: Managing a Six Year Hormonal Subfertility with a Successful Rate of Conception.
Macharia et al (2024) Heartache to Happiness: Managing a Six Year Hormonal Subfertility with a Successful Rate of Conception. East African Scholars Journal of Medicine and Surgery. 6:2, 54-58 (download)

Successful Implementation of Menstrual Cycle Biomarkers in the Treatment of Infertility in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Case Report.
Kicińska AM, Stachowska A, Kajdy A, Wierzba TH, Maksym RB. Successful Implementation of Menstrual Cycle Biomarkers in the Treatment of Infertility in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Case Report. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Feb 18;11(4):616. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11040616. (download)

Fertility awareness education improves fertility cycle knowledge and may reduce time-to-pregnancy in subfertile women. 
Mena GP, McLindon LA (2023) Fertility awareness education improves fertility cycle knowledge and may reduce time-to-pregnancy in subfertile women. Human Fertility. 26:2, 405-412, DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2023.2214952 (download)

Peri-implantation intercourse does not lower fecundability
Stanford JB, Hansen JL, Willis SK, Hu N, Thomas A. Peri-implantation intercourse does not lower fecundability. Hum Reprod. 2020 Sep 1;35(9):2107-2112. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deaa156 (download)

Luteal Phase Deficiency in Regularly Menstruating Women: Prevalence and Overlap in Identification Based on Clinical and Biochemical Diagnostic Criteria.
Schliep KC, Mumford SL, Hammoud AO, Stanford JB, Kissell KA, Sjaarda LA, Perkins NJ, Ahrens KA, Wactawski-Wende J, Mendola Schisterman EF (2014) Luteal Phase Deficiency in Regularly Menstruating Women: Prevalence and Overlap in Identification Based on Clinical and Biochemical Diagnostic Criteria, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 99, Issue 6, 1 June 2014, Pages E1007–E1014, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2013-3534 (download)

Fertility-awareness knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women seeking fertility assistance. 
Hampton KD, Mazza D, Newton JM (2013) Fertility-awareness knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women seeking fertility assistance.  Journal of Advanced Nursing. 69(5), 1076-1084. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06095.x

Pregnancy after failed IVF

Healthy Singleton Pregnancies From Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) After Failed IVF
Boyle PC, de Groot T, Andralojc KM and Parnell TA (2018) Healthy Singleton Pregnancies From Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) After Failed IVF. Front. Med. 5:210. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00210

Pregnancy after miscarriage

Restoration of serum estradiol and reduced incidence of miscarriage in patients with low serum estradiol during pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study using a multifactorial protocol including DHEA.
Boyle P, Andralojc K, van der Velden S, Najmabadi S, de Groot T, Turczynski C and Stanford JB (2024) Restoration of serum estradiol and reduced incidence of miscarriage in patients with low serum estradiol during pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study using a multifactorial protocol including DHEA. Front. Reprod. Health 5:1321284. doi: 10.3389/frph.2023.1321284

Successful pregnancy using oral DHEA treatment for hypoandrogenemia in a 30-year-old female with 5 recurrent miscarriages, including fetal demise at 24 weeks: a case report.
Boyle PC, Pandalache C and Turczynski C (2024) Successful pregnancy using oral DHEA treatment for hypoandrogenemia in a 30-year-old female with 5 recurrent miscarriages, including fetal demise at 24 weeks: a case report. Front. Med. 11:1358563. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1358563

Novel approaches to the management of recurrent pregnancy loss: The OPTIMUM (OPtimization of Thyroid function, Thrombophilia, Immunity, and Uterine Milieu) treatment strategy
Kuroda K, Ikemoto Y, Horikawa T, Moriyama A, Ojiro Y, Takamizawa S, Uchida T, Nojiri S, Nakagawa K, Sugiyama R. (2021) Novel approaches to the management of recurrent pregnancy loss: The OPTIMUM (OPtimization of Thyroid function, Thrombophilia, Immunity, and Uterine Milieu) treatment strategy. Reprod Med Biol. 2021 Sep 14;20(4):524-536. doi: 10.1002/rmb2.12412. (download)

Nutritional aspects of pregnancy

Consequences of Severe Iodine Deficiency in Pregnancy: Evidence in Humans
Toloza FJK, Motahari H, Maraka S (2020) Consequences of Severe Iodine Deficiency in Pregnancy: Evidence in Humans. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 11. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00409 

Restorative Health

The Effectiveness of Myo-Inositol in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Prospective Clinical Study
Sharon P M, P M, Manivannan A, et al. (February 10, 2024) The Effectiveness of Myo-Inositol in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Prospective Clinical Study. Cureus 16(2): e53951. doi:10.7759/cureus.53951 (download)

Update on the combination of myo-inositol/d-chiro-inositol for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome
Lete, I., Martínez, A., Lasaga, I., Centurión, E., & Vesga, A. (2024). Update on the combination of myo-inositol/d-chiro-inositol for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecological Endocrinology40(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2023.2301554 (download)

The Role of Zinc in Selected Female Reproductive System Disorders.
Nasiadek M, Stragierowicz J, Klimczak M, Kilanowicz A. The Role of Zinc in Selected Female Reproductive System Disorders. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 16;12(8):2464. doi: 10.3390/nu12082464. (download)

Myo-inositol effects in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Unfer, V., Facchinetti, F., Orrù, B., Giordani, B., & Nestler, J. (2017). Myo-inositol effects in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Endocrine Connections6(8), 647-658. https://doi.org/10.1530/EC-17-0243 (download)

Avoiding pregnancy using FAMs

Evaluating Pregnancy Rates in Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Family Planning: Simulated Comparison of Correct Use to Avoid, Method-Related, and Total Pregnancy Rates
Stanford JB, Duane M, Simmons R. Evaluating Pregnancy Rates in Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Family Planning: Simulated Comparison of Correct Use to Avoid, Method-Related, and Total Pregnancy Rates. Linacre Q. 2024 Aug;91(3):315-328. doi: 10.1177/00243639231212440. 

Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Women's Health and Family Planning
Duane M, Stanford JB, Porucznik CA, Vigil P. Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Women's Health and Family Planning. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 May 24;9:858977. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.858977 (download)

Misrepresentation of contraceptive effectiveness rates for fertility awareness methods of family planning. 
Turner JV. Misrepresentation of contraceptive effectiveness rates for fertility awareness methods of family planning. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2021 Jul;47(7):2271-2277. DOI: 10.1111/jog.14593. Epub 2020 Dec 13.

Effectiveness of Fertility Awareness–Based Methods for Pregnancy Prevention: A Systematic Review
Peragallo Urrutia, Rachel MD, MS; Polis, Chelsea B. PhD; Jensen, Elizabeth T. PhD; Greene, Margaret E. PhD; Kennedy, Emily MA; Stanford, Joseph B. MD, MSPH. Effectiveness of Fertility Awareness–Based Methods for Pregnancy Prevention: A Systematic Review. Obstetrics & Gynecology 132(3):p 591-604, September 2018. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002784

Influence of Motivation on the Efficacy of Natural Family Planning
Fehring, Richard J. PhD, RN, FAAN; Schneider, Mary MSN, APRN, FNP-BC; Barron, Mary Lee PhD, APRN, FNP-BC; Pruszynski, Jessica PhD. Influence of Motivation on the Efficacy of Natural Family Planning. MCN, The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing 38(6):p 352-358, November/December 2013. | DOI: 10.1097/NMC.0b013e3182a1ecc0

Field trial of billings ovulation method of natural family planning
Bhargava H, Bhatia JC, Ramachandran L, Rohatgi P, Sinha A. Field trial of billings ovulation method of natural family planning. Contraception. 1996 Feb;53(2):69-74. doi: 10.1016/0010-7824(95)00269-3.

Health benefits of FAMs

Usefulness of the Sympto-Thermal Method with Standardized Cervical Mucus Assessment (InVivo Method) for Evaluating the Monthly Cycle in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Stachowska A, Kicińska AM, Kotulak-Chrząszcz A, Babińska A. Usefulness of the Sympto-Thermal Method with Standardized Cervical Mucus Assessment (InVivo Method) for Evaluating the Monthly Cycle in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Healthcare (Basel). 2024 May 29;12(11):1108. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12111108 (download)

Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Women's Health and Family Planning
Duane M, Stanford JB, Porucznik CA, Vigil P. Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Women's Health and Family Planning. Fronteirs in Medicine. 2022 (9) https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.858977 (download)

Ovulation, a sign of health
Vigil P, Lyon C, Flores B, Rioseco H, Serrano F. Ovulation, a sign of health. Linacre Q. 2017 Nov;84(4):343-355. doi: 10.1080/00243639.2017.1394053. (download)

“What’s going on in my body?”: gaps in menstrual health education and face validation of My Vital Cycles®, an ovulatory menstrual health literacy program
Roux, F., Burns, S., Hendriks, J. et al. “What’s going on in my body?”: gaps in menstrual health education and
face validation of My Vital Cycles®, an ovulatory menstrual health literacy program. Aust. Educ. Res. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-023-00632-w (download)

Influence of sex steroid hormones on the adolescent brain and behavior: An update
Vigil P, Del Río JP, Carrera B, ArÁnguiz FC, Rioseco H, Cortés ME. Influence of sex steroid hormones on the adolescent brain and behavior: An update. Linacre Q. 2016 Aug;83(3):308-329. doi:

10.1080/00243639.2016.1211863. (download)

The Importance of Fertility Awareness in the Assessment of a Woman's Health a Review

Vigil P, Blackwell LF, Cortés ME. The Importance of Fertility Awareness in the Assessment of a Woman's Health a Review. Linacre Q. 2012 Nov;79(4):426-450. doi: 10.1179/002436312804827109. (download)

Usefulness of monitoring fertility from menarche
Vigil P, Ceric F, Cortés ME, Klaus H. Usefulness of monitoring fertility from menarche. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2006 Jun;19(3):173-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2006.02.003.

Risks of artificial contraceptives and synthetic hormonal drugs

Association of Hormonal Contraception with Suicide Attempts and Suicides
Skovlund CW, Mørch LS, Kessing LV, Lange T, Lidegaard Ø. Association of Hormonal Contraception with Suicide Attempts and Suicides. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2018 April; 175(4). doi: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17060616 (download)

Association of Hormonal Contraception with Depression
Skovlund CW, et al. Association of Hormonal Contraception with Depression. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016; 73(11): 1154-1162. doi: doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.2387 (download)

Copper intrauterine device increases vaginal concentrations of inflammatory anaerobes and depletes lactobacilli compared to hormonal options in a randomized trial
Brown, B.P., Feng, C., Tanko, R.F. et al. Copper intrauterine device increases vaginal concentrations of inflammatory anaerobes and depletes lactobacilli compared to hormonal options in a randomized trial. Nat Commun 14, 499 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36002-4 (download)

Contraceptive effects on the cervicovaginal microbiome: Recent evidence including randomized trials.
Balle C, Happel AU, Heffron R, Jaspan HB. Contraceptive effects on the cervicovaginal microbiome: Recent evidence including randomized trials. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2023 Nov;90(5):e13785. doi: 10.1111/aji.13785. (download)

Oral contraceptives and changes in nutritional requirements
Palmery M, Saraceno A, Vaiarelli A, Carlomagno G. Oral contraceptives and changes in nutritional requirements. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013 Jul;17(13):1804-13. (download)

Reduction of the “burst release” of copper ions from copper-based intrauterine devices by organic inhibitors
Florencia Alvarez, Patricia L. Schilardi, Monica Fernández Lorenzo de Mele, Reduction of the “burst release” of copper ions from copper-based intrauterine devices by organic inhibitors, Contraception, Volume 85, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 91-98,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2011.05.011.

Reproductive physiology

Cervical mucus patterns and the fertile window in women without known subfertility: a pooled analysis of three cohorts
Najmabadi S, Schliep KC, Simonsen SE, Porucznik CA, Egger MJ, Stanford JB. Cervical mucus patterns and the fertile window in women without known subfertility: a pooled analysis of three cohorts. Hum Reprod. 2021 Jun 18;36(7):1784-1795. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deab049. (download)

Characteristics of menstrual cycles with or without intercourse in women with no known subfertility
Najmabadi S, Schliep KC, Simonsen SE, Porucznik CA, Egger MJ, Stanford JB. Characteristics of menstrual cycles with or without intercourse in women with no known subfertility. Hum Reprod Open. 2022 Sep 27;2022(4):hoac039. doi: 10.1093/hropen/hoac039. (download)

The role of the cervix in fertility: is it time for a reappraisal?
F. Martyn, F.M. McAuliffe, M. Wingfield, The role of the cervix in fertility: is it time for a reappraisal?, Human Reproduction, Volume 29, Issue 10, 10 October 2014, Pages 2092–2098, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deu195  (summarised at FACTS about Fertility)

Accuracy of the peak day of cervical mucus as a biological marker of fertility
Fehring RJ. Accuracy of the peak day of cervical mucus as a biological marker of fertility. Contraception. 2002 Oct;66(4):231-5. doi: 10.1016/s0010-7824(02ac)00355-4.



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