Gynecological Endocrinology: From Physiological Mechanisms to Clinical Practice

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 29 August 2025 | Viewed by 1973

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Endocrinology, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: reproductive endocrinology; metabolic syndrome; rare endocrine diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gonadal endocrine diseases in women encompass a broad spectrum of common and rare conditions associated with ovarian dysfunction, sex hormonal disbalance, and infertility. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects many young women, and its clinical manifestations not only include different signs of hyperandrogenism and menstrual disturbances but also an increased risk of metabolic complications. Even though congenital adrenal hyperplasia and androgen-producing tumors are rarely found, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hyperandrogenic PCOS. Despite apparent clinical symptoms, the genetic basis and epigenetic modifications leading to PCOS are far from clear. Further studies are therefore needed to enlighten the etiology and pathophysiology of this heterogeneous condition—particularly, those leading to new therapeutic opportunities for patients.

Beyond hyperandrogenic states, ovarian dysfunction might also result from disturbances in the hypothalamic–pituitary axis caused by a variety of factors. Continuous stress, eating disorders, as well as intensive physical activity might suppress the hypothalamic neurons regulating the pituitary, thus leading to hypothalamic amenorrhea. On the other hand, rare genetic mutations might cause an isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in some female patients, which can be easily overlooked, especially in women undergoing long-term hormonal treatment. 

Premature ovarian failure (POF) can not only be a devastating diagnosis for women with infertility but it could also have profound adverse effects on cardiovascular and bone health. Therefore, more effort should be invested into the development of new diagnostic tools for the early evaluation of ovarian follicular reserve and appropriate treatment.

Accordingly, this Special Issue focuses on the pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, biomarkers, and possible treatment of different ovarian disorders associated with endocrine disturbances. The topic includes (but is not limited to) PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Extending knowledge in gynecological endocrinology is essential for improving women’s health; therefore, every valuable paper on the topic is welcomed.

Dr. Ralitsa Robeva
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • PCOS
  • hypothalamic amenorrhea
  • congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
  • premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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14 pages, 1209 KiB  
Article
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in Endometriosis Treatment with Progestogen: A Metabolic Understanding
by Francesco Chiara, Sarah Allegra, Maura Caudana, Jacopo Mula, Davide Turco, Simona Liuzzi, Maria Paola Puccinelli, Giulio Mengozzi and Silvia De Francia
Life 2025, 15(2), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020144 - 22 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Endometriosis afflicts 10% of women in their reproductive years and nearly half of women with infertility, and its etiology is not yet clear. Pharmacological therapy is generally based on progestins like progestogen. This drug binds to progesterone receptors with many known side effects. [...] Read more.
Endometriosis afflicts 10% of women in their reproductive years and nearly half of women with infertility, and its etiology is not yet clear. Pharmacological therapy is generally based on progestins like progestogen. This drug binds to progesterone receptors with many known side effects. Here, we describe the case of a 33-year-old woman surgically treated for endometriosis who continued with drug therapy based on estradiol valerate and dienogest. Approximately 21 months after treatment, she reported ocular symptoms with vision alteration, diplopia, and metamorphopsia related to central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). After the discontinuation of combined progestin-based treatment, the CSC fully subsided. Semeiological, clinical, and laboratory approaches were adopted, and urinary steroids were measured. A slight increase in prolactinemia in the absence of macro-prolactinemia was reported. The steroidal profile appeared without abnormalities, although a slight alteration of estrogen balance was noted. Considering the pharmacodynamics of dienogest versus selective progesterone receptor modulators, it can be assumed that patients’ clinical events are related to specific site response to steroids that bind the progesterone receptor. Dienogest may have induced the CSC as a not yet characterized side effect of the drug. Undoubtedly, further specific studies are needed concerning the metabolic and pharmacodynamic aspects that cannot be exhaustively covered here. Full article
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52 pages, 845 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Relationship Between Obesity, Bariatric Surgery, and Infertility: A Systematic Review
by Charalampos Voros, Antonia Varthaliti, Kyriakos Bananis, Despoina Mavrogianni, Diamantis Athanasiou, Antonia Athanasiou, Aikaterini Athanasiou, Anthi-Maria Papahliou, Constantinos G. Zografos, Panagiota Kondili, Menelaos Darlas, Ioannis Papapanagiotou, Maria Anastasia Daskalaki, Marianna Theodora, Panagiotis Antsaklis, Georgios Daskalakis and Dimitrios Loutradis
Life 2025, 15(5), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15050758 - 9 May 2025
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Abstract
Background: Obesity is a complicated, chronic condition that has a major impact on reproductive health, leading to infertility, anovulation, and poor pregnancy outcomes. It alters the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis, promotes insulin resistance, and causes persistent low-grade inflammation, all of which result in hormonal [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity is a complicated, chronic condition that has a major impact on reproductive health, leading to infertility, anovulation, and poor pregnancy outcomes. It alters the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis, promotes insulin resistance, and causes persistent low-grade inflammation, all of which result in hormonal abnormalities that compromise normal ovarian function. Because standard weight loss procedures frequently fail to provide significant and long-term reproductive benefits, bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly popular as a therapeutic option for obese women trying to conceive. However, continuous research is being conducted to determine the degree of its advantages and potential hazards to fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards and entered into the PROSPERO database. Comprehensive searches in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases turned up relevant studies. Studies that examined the effects of bariatric surgery on female fertility, ovulatory function, pregnancy rates, and neonatal outcomes were considered. Methodological quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized controlled trials. Results: This review comprised 34 studies. More than 75% of the studies analyzed showed improvements in ovulatory function, monthly regularity, or spontaneous pregnancy after bariatric surgery. Post-surgical pregnancies are related to a lower incidence of gestational diabetes, hypertension, and macrosomia. However, several studies raised concerns about nutritional inadequacies and the possibility of small-for-gestational-age newborns, particularly following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Studies suggest delaying conception for 12 to 18 months after surgery to reduce nutritional hazards and improve pregnancy outcomes. Variability in study design, follow-up duration, and surgical methods reduces the generalizability of findings, emphasizing the importance of uniform research protocols. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery is a highly effective treatment for increasing fertility and pregnancy outcomes in obese women, particularly those with PCOS. However, rigorous preconception planning, postoperative nutritional monitoring, and multidisciplinary follow-up are required to reduce the related hazards. Future research should concentrate on long-term reproductive outcomes, standardizing fertility assessment criteria, and improving clinical guidelines for managing post-bariatric pregnancies. These findings support the incorporation of bariatric surgery into fertility treatment regimens for obese women, and they may shape future revisions to clinical guidelines on reproductive care following weight loss surgery. Full article
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