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Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Gynecologic symptoms and the influence on reproductive life in 386 women with hypermobility type ehlers-danlos syndrome: a cohort study

Authors: Justine Hugon-Rodin, Géraldine Lebègue, Stéphanie Becourt, Claude Hamonet, Anne Gompel

Published in: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), is probably the most common disease among heritable connective tissue disorders. It affects women more than men and causes symptoms in multiple organs. It is associated with chronic pain, skin fragility and abnormal bleeding. These characteristics may hamper reproductive life. We conducted a study to evaluate the gynecologic and obstetric outcomes in women with hEDS. We also explored a possible hormonal modulation of the hEDS symptoms. The gynecologic and obstetric history of 386 consecutive women diagnosed with hEDS was collected by a standardized questionnaire and a medical consultation performed by a senior gynecologist in an expert centre for hEDS between May 2012 and December 2014.

Results

We observed a high frequency of gynecologic complaints, specifically: menorrhagia (76 %), dysmenorrhea (72 %) and dyspareunia (43 %). Endometriosis was not highly prevalent in this population. The obstetric outcomes were similar to those of the general French population for deliveries by cesarean section (14.6 %) and premature births (6.2 %) but the incidence of multiple spontaneous abortion (13 %) and spontaneous abortion (28 %) were significantly higher. A subset of women were sensitive to hormonal fluctuations with more severe symptoms occurring during puberty, prior to menstruation, during the postpartum period as well as on oral contraception.

Conclusions

Increased awareness of the gynecological symptomatology in women with hEDS can help discriminate between endometriosis and thus prevent useless, and potentially dangerous, surgery. This study also suggests that hormonal modulation may be an appropriate treatment for a subset of women with hEDS.

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Title: Gynecologic symptoms and the influence on reproductive life in 386 women with hypermobility type ehlers-danlos syndrome: a cohort study
Authors: Justine Hugon-Rodin
Géraldine Lebègue
Stéphanie Becourt
Claude Hamonet
Anne Gompel
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1750-1172
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-016-0511-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Gynecologic symptoms and the influence on reproductive life in 386 women with hypermobility type ehlers-danlos syndrome: a cohort study

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

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