An interdisciplinary approach to the problem of gallstone disease in women: a view of a gynecologist

Abstract

The article presents the modern view on pathogenetic mechanisms of the cholelithiasis development in women, illustrated by clinical observations. Gender-associated risk factors for cholelithiasis are pregnancy and childbirth, female sex hormones administration and polycystic ovary syndrome. The gallstone disease risk factors in women taking hormonal oral contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapy are hereditary predisposition, impaired lipid, carbohydrate metabolism and functional gallbladder disorders. Patients at high risk of developing cholelithiasis are recommended to perform a gallbladder ultrasound examination before and during hormonal therapy. The ursodeoxycholic acid treatment is safe, effective and compatible with female sex hormone administration in patients with detected biliary sludge.

Keywords

• polycystic ovary syndrome
• biliary sludge
• combined oral contraceptives
• menopausal hormone therapy
• menopause
• cholelithiasis
• ursodeoxycholic acid