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Obstetrics351 papers

Female infertility - cervical/vaginal

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Female infertility related to cervical and vaginal factors encompasses conditions affecting conception due to abnormalities or dysfunctions in these reproductive tract regions, impacting natural conception and assisted reproductive outcomes. 17

Diagnosis

  • Clinical History: Detailed assessment of sexual history, including pain, dyspareunia, and symptoms related to cervical or vaginal health. 4510
  • Physical Examination: Pelvic examination to identify structural abnormalities, such as cervical stenosis or vaginal agenesis. 17
  • Diagnostic Tests:
  • - Hysterosalpingography (HSG): Evaluates cervical and tubal patency. - Laparoscopy: To assess for any anatomical abnormalities not visible through HSG. - Vaginal Ultrasound: To evaluate structural issues and assess for any masses or abnormalities. 17

    Management

  • Surgical Interventions:
  • - Cervical Dilatation: For cervical stenosis. - Vaginoplasty: For congenital or acquired vaginal anomalies. 17
  • Medical Management:
  • - Hormonal Therapy: To address hormonal imbalances affecting cervical mucus quality and vaginal health. 17
  • Counseling and Support: Psychological support and sexual counseling to address sexual dysfunction impacting fertility. 410
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Vaginal and cervical health assessments are crucial pre-conception to prevent complications during pregnancy. 17
  • Elderly: Increased risk of vaginal atrophy affecting fertility treatments; hormonal therapy may be beneficial. 17
  • Comorbidities: Conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometriosis require tailored management to address both infertility and comorbid issues. 17
  • Key Recommendations

  • Comprehensive Assessment: Include detailed sexual history and physical examination to diagnose cervical and vaginal causes of infertility. (Evidence: Moderate 410)
  • Utilize Diagnostic Imaging: Employ HSG and laparoscopy to accurately identify anatomical abnormalities impacting fertility. (Evidence: Moderate 17)
  • Consider Surgical Correction: For structural issues like cervical stenosis or vaginal agenesis, surgical intervention may be necessary. (Evidence: Expert opinion 17)
  • Integrate Psychological Support: Provide counseling to address sexual dysfunction that may affect fertility outcomes. (Evidence: Moderate 410)
  • Tailored Hormonal Therapy: Use hormonal treatments to manage hormonal imbalances affecting cervical and vaginal health. (Evidence: Moderate 17)
  • References

    1 Aromaa A, Polo-Kantola P, Manninen SM, Grönlund J, Riskumäki M, Vahlberg T et al.. Attitudes and practice patterns of Finnish obstetrician-gynecologists regarding patients' sexual problems. Maturitas 2024. link 2 Monestime GM, Baird I, Rebarber A, Shirazian T. ACGME Milestones in global health: Need for standardized assessment of global health training in obstetrics/gynecology residency. International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 2022. link 3 Rose K, Kwan L, Pluym ID, Zhang H, Han CS, Afshar Y. Forceps-assisted vaginal delivery: the landscape of obstetrics and gynecology resident training. The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians 2021. link 4 . Female Sexual Dysfunction: ACOG Practice Bulletin Clinical Management Guidelines for Obstetrician-Gynecologists, Number 213. Obstetrics and gynecology 2019. link 5 . Female Sexual Dysfunction: ACOG Practice Bulletin Summary, NUMBER 213. Obstetrics and gynecology 2019. link 6 Rippinger N, Turtiainen P, Šibli I, Keß S, Klanjšček J, D'Oliveira M et al.. European Network of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology-ENTOG Exchange 2017: an experience report from Slovenia outlining the different trainee situations around Europe. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics 2018. link 7 Abdel-Misih S, Verbeck N, Walker C, Musindi W, Strafford K, Meyers L et al.. Early experience with a combined surgical and obstetrics/gynecology clerkship: We do get along. American journal of surgery 2018. link 8 Tully K, Keller J, Blatt B, Greenberg L. Observing and Giving Feedback to Novice PGY-1s. Southern medical journal 2016. link 9 Vercellini P, Viganò P, Frattaruolo MP, Somigliana E. Proliferation of gynaecological scientific societies and their financial transparency: an Italian survey. BMJ open 2016. link 10 McCool ME, Apfelbacher C, Brandstetter S, Mottl M, Loss J. Diagnosing and treating female sexual dysfunction: a survey of the perspectives of obstetricians and gynaecologists. Sexual health 2016. link 11 Jacques L, Kaljo K, Treat R, Davis J, Farez R, Lund M. Intersecting gender, evaluations, and examinations: Averting gender bias in an obstetrics and gynecology clerkship in the United States. Education for health (Abingdon, England) 2016. link 12 Lagrew DC, Jenkins TR. The future of obstetrics/gynecology in 2020: a clearer vision. Transformational forces and thriving in the new system. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2015. link 13 Hampton BS, Craig LB, Abbott JF, Buery-Joyner SD, Dalrymple JL, Forstein DA et al.. To the point: teaching the obstetrics and gynecology medical student in the operating room. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2015. link 14 Deane RP, Murphy DJ. Student attendance and academic performance in undergraduate obstetrics/gynecology clinical rotations. JAMA 2013. link 15 Pancholy AB, Goldenhar L, Fellner AN, Crisp C, Kleeman S, Pauls R. Resident education and training in female sexuality: results of a national survey. The journal of sexual medicine 2011. link 16 Bekker M, Beck J, Putter H, van Driel M, Pelger R, Lycklama A Nijeholt A et al.. The place of female sexual dysfunction in the urological practice: results of a Dutch survey. The journal of sexual medicine 2009. link 17 Srivastava R, Thakar R, Sultan A. Female sexual dysfunction in obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetrical & gynecological survey 2008. link 18 Ogburn T, Espey E, Autry A, Leeman L, Bachofer S. Why obstetrics/gynecology, and what if it were not an option? A survey of resident applicants. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2007. link 19 McAlister RP, Andriole DA, Brotherton SE, Jeffe DB. Are entering obstetrics/gynecology residents more similar to the entering primary care or surgery resident workforce?. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2007. link 20 Pauls RN, Kleeman SD, Segal JL, Silva WA, Goldenhar LM, Karram MM. Practice patterns of physician members of the American Urogynecologic Society regarding female sexual dysfunction: results of a national survey. International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction 2005. link 21 Davis KR, Banken JA. Personality type and clinical evaluations in an obstetrics/gynecology medical student clerkship. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2005. link 22 Myles TD. Correlation of United States medical licensing examination step 2 and obstetrics and gynecology clerkship final examination scores with clerkship clinical evaluation scores. The Journal of reproductive medicine 2005. link 23 Salonia A, Zanni G, Briganti A, Fabbri F, Rigatti P, Montorsi F. The role of the urologist in the management of female sexual dysfunctions. Current opinion in urology 2004. link 24 Nalesnik SW, Heaton JO, Olsen CH, Haffner WH, Zahn CM. Incorporating problem-based learning into an obstetrics/gynecology clerkship: impact on student satisfaction and grades. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2004. link 25 Geiss IM, Umek WH, Dungl A, Sam C, Riss P, Hanzal E. Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in gynecologic and urogynecologic patients according to the international consensus classification. Urology 2003. link00487-4)

    Original source

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      Attitudes and practice patterns of Finnish obstetrician-gynecologists regarding patients' sexual problems.Aromaa A, Polo-Kantola P, Manninen SM, Grönlund J, Riskumäki M, Vahlberg T et al. Maturitas (2024)
    2. [2]
      ACGME Milestones in global health: Need for standardized assessment of global health training in obstetrics/gynecology residency.Monestime GM, Baird I, Rebarber A, Shirazian T International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (2022)
    3. [3]
      Forceps-assisted vaginal delivery: the landscape of obstetrics and gynecology resident training.Rose K, Kwan L, Pluym ID, Zhang H, Han CS, Afshar Y The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians (2021)
    4. [4]
    5. [5]
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      European Network of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology-ENTOG Exchange 2017: an experience report from Slovenia outlining the different trainee situations around Europe.Rippinger N, Turtiainen P, Šibli I, Keß S, Klanjšček J, D'Oliveira M et al. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (2018)
    7. [7]
      Early experience with a combined surgical and obstetrics/gynecology clerkship: We do get along.Abdel-Misih S, Verbeck N, Walker C, Musindi W, Strafford K, Meyers L et al. American journal of surgery (2018)
    8. [8]
      Observing and Giving Feedback to Novice PGY-1s.Tully K, Keller J, Blatt B, Greenberg L Southern medical journal (2016)
    9. [9]
      Proliferation of gynaecological scientific societies and their financial transparency: an Italian survey.Vercellini P, Viganò P, Frattaruolo MP, Somigliana E BMJ open (2016)
    10. [10]
      Diagnosing and treating female sexual dysfunction: a survey of the perspectives of obstetricians and gynaecologists.McCool ME, Apfelbacher C, Brandstetter S, Mottl M, Loss J Sexual health (2016)
    11. [11]
      Intersecting gender, evaluations, and examinations: Averting gender bias in an obstetrics and gynecology clerkship in the United States.Jacques L, Kaljo K, Treat R, Davis J, Farez R, Lund M Education for health (Abingdon, England) (2016)
    12. [12]
      The future of obstetrics/gynecology in 2020: a clearer vision. Transformational forces and thriving in the new system.Lagrew DC, Jenkins TR American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2015)
    13. [13]
      To the point: teaching the obstetrics and gynecology medical student in the operating room.Hampton BS, Craig LB, Abbott JF, Buery-Joyner SD, Dalrymple JL, Forstein DA et al. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2015)
    14. [14]
    15. [15]
      Resident education and training in female sexuality: results of a national survey.Pancholy AB, Goldenhar L, Fellner AN, Crisp C, Kleeman S, Pauls R The journal of sexual medicine (2011)
    16. [16]
      The place of female sexual dysfunction in the urological practice: results of a Dutch survey.Bekker M, Beck J, Putter H, van Driel M, Pelger R, Lycklama A Nijeholt A et al. The journal of sexual medicine (2009)
    17. [17]
      Female sexual dysfunction in obstetrics and gynecology.Srivastava R, Thakar R, Sultan A Obstetrical & gynecological survey (2008)
    18. [18]
      Why obstetrics/gynecology, and what if it were not an option? A survey of resident applicants.Ogburn T, Espey E, Autry A, Leeman L, Bachofer S American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2007)
    19. [19]
      Are entering obstetrics/gynecology residents more similar to the entering primary care or surgery resident workforce?McAlister RP, Andriole DA, Brotherton SE, Jeffe DB American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2007)
    20. [20]
      Practice patterns of physician members of the American Urogynecologic Society regarding female sexual dysfunction: results of a national survey.Pauls RN, Kleeman SD, Segal JL, Silva WA, Goldenhar LM, Karram MM International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction (2005)
    21. [21]
      Personality type and clinical evaluations in an obstetrics/gynecology medical student clerkship.Davis KR, Banken JA American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2005)
    22. [22]
    23. [23]
      The role of the urologist in the management of female sexual dysfunctions.Salonia A, Zanni G, Briganti A, Fabbri F, Rigatti P, Montorsi F Current opinion in urology (2004)
    24. [24]
      Incorporating problem-based learning into an obstetrics/gynecology clerkship: impact on student satisfaction and grades.Nalesnik SW, Heaton JO, Olsen CH, Haffner WH, Zahn CM American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2004)
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