RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To study a sample of Brazilian lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women concerning their gynecologic history and their experience with gynecologic care. METHODS: An internet-based survey for women aged 18 years or older was conducted to gather epidemiologic data on sexual habits, primary gynecologic diseases, and patient-gynecologist relationships. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 1201 women, with 571 reporting being heterosexual, 272 lesbian, and 358 bisexual. The lesbian/bisexual (LB) group contained fewer Caucasian individuals, used more public health resources, and had more individuals consuming tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs. No significant differences were found in the number of individuals with diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, and sexually transmitted diseases. Depression was more common in the LB group. Endometriosis and vaginismus were more common in bisexual women, whereas polycystic ovary syndrome was more frequent in lesbians. Questions on the patient-gynecologist relationship revealed that most LB women felt uncomfortable and dissatisfied with the treatment received. CONCLUSION: The LB group had different epidemiologic characteristics from the heterosexual group. Differences in morbid antecedents were found only in endometriosis, vaginismus, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Most LB Brazilian women are dissatisfied with treatment received from gynecologists.
Asunto(s)
Endometriosis , Homosexualidad Femenina , Síndrome del Ovario Poliquístico , Vaginismo , Brasil/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Conducta SexualRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and the clinical and demographic associations of hypovitaminosis D in pregnant women from southern Brazil. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, pregnant women attending prenatal care at two university clinics in Curitiba, Brazil, were investigated for clinical and demographic data and for serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, and parathyroid hormone. Data were collected during summer (January 26 to March 4, 2016) or winter (July 28 to August 31, 2016). RESULTS: The study included 520 women, with 264 studied in winter and 256 in summer. The median vitamin D level was 53.41 nmol/L; 227 (43.7%) women had vitamin D deficiency (<49.92 nmol/L), 193 (37.1%) had vitamin D insufficiency, and 100 (19.2%) had a normal level (≥74.88 nmol/L). The vitamin D serum level was linked to the season (P<0.001) and the body mass index (P=0.026). Women with HIV infections had a lower prevalence and women with pre-eclampsia had a higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (P<0.001 and P=0.025, respectively). The association between pre-eclampsia and low vitamin D status was independent of body mass index, tobacco exposure, maternal age, and pregnancy duration (P=0.043; odds ratio 1.014-2.795). CONCLUSION: The rate of hypovitaminosis D in pregnant women from southern Brazil was high. Hypovitaminosis D was more common in winter and was associated with pre-eclampsia.