FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE GENITAL ORGANS OF WOMEN OF DIFFERENT AGES WHO SUFFERED COVID-19

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to severe acute respiratory illness and multiple organ failure. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted women’s reproductive and perinatal health, causing significant mental and physical suffering. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the features of the manifestations of violations of the function of the genital organs in women of different age groups who have recovered from COVID-19. Materials and methods. The authors conducted a comprehensive gynecological examination of 100 women who had undergone COVID-19. The surveyed contingent of women was divided by age into three groups: group 1 – women under 20 years old and group 2 – women aged 20 to 50. Group 3 consisted of women over 50 years of age. Each woman underwent an anamnesis, a routine gynecological examination in the mirrors of the vaginal mucosa and cervix, a bacteriological examination of the vaginal mucosa, and the acidity of the vaginal environment was determined. An ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs was also performed. Results. It has been established that the COVID-19 disease causes disturbances in the condition of the genital organs of women in the form of a change in the quantity and deterioration in the quality of vaginal discharge; feeling of dryness and itching in the area of the external genital organs; pain during sexual intercourse. Objectively, there was a decrease in the elasticity of the walls of the vagina, and there was a thinning of the epithelial layer. According to cytological studies, there was a manifestation of estrogen deficiency and an increase in the number of cases of fungal infections. The frequency of these changes was higher in people over 50. Regardless of the severity of the COVID-19 infection, not all women of different age groups complained of pelvic disorders. In the first group, 100% violated the composition of the vaginal microbiota (dysbiosis), and one had abnormal uterine bleeding. In the second group, only 31% of women violated the composition of the microbiota, and 33% violated the ovarianmenstrual cycle with anovulation and the formation of follicular cysts. In the third age group, 76% had an increase in the phenomena of genito-urinary syndrome. Conclusions. Thus, a violation of the state of the genital organs in women who have had COVID-19 is associated with endocrine disorders, impaired local immunity, and the consequences of distress. The pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease (endothelial disorders, damage to the immune system) cause these disorders. Since women over 50 years of age have deficiencies in the state of these mechanisms, their clinical manifestations will be more pronounced.

Keywords

• covid-19,pelvic organs and their functions,vaginal smear cytology.