Alfred Pasternak1, Philip G Brooks. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, California, USA. apaster@verizon.net
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of internment in the German concentration camps during World War II on menstrual function; future fertility; and, ultimately, on gynecologic diseases or future surgery needs. SUBJECTS: Five hundred eighty Hungarian female survivors of concentration camps. INTERVENTION: Menstrual and reproductive histories of the women were obtained and analyzed, comparing histories and events from pre-internment, internment, and post-internment periods of time. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean age of the survivors at the time of internment was 23.4 +/- 8.0 years (95% CI 22.7-24.1). Amenorrhea occurred in 94.8% of the women during encampment (95% CI 92.7%-96.5%), with 82.4% experiencing cessation of menses immediately after internment (95% CI 76.9%-85.6%). Only 0.6% of women (95% CI 0.12%-1.63%) menstruated longer than 4 months after internment. After liberation, all but 8.9% of the women resumed menstruation within the first year (95% CI 88.4%-93.3%). Fecundity subsequent to liberation was not significantly affected by the imprisonment nor was there a significant increase in spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancies, stillbirths, or other pregnancy complications. Additionally, there was no evidence of impact on the subsequent frequency of gynecologic diseases or surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Imprisonment in German concentration camps during the Holocaust resulted in enormous emotional and psychological changes in the survivors. In addition, this study reveals abrupt changes in short-term menstrual function but little long-term physical damage to reproductive function.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of internment in the German concentration camps during World War II on menstrual function; future fertility; and, ultimately, on gynecologic diseases or future surgery needs. SUBJECTS: Five hundred eighty Hungarian female survivors of concentration camps. INTERVENTION: Menstrual and reproductive histories of the women were obtained and analyzed, comparing histories and events from pre-internment, internment, and post-internment periods of time. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean age of the survivors at the time of internment was 23.4 +/- 8.0 years (95% CI 22.7-24.1). Amenorrhea occurred in 94.8% of the women during encampment (95% CI 92.7%-96.5%), with 82.4% experiencing cessation of menses immediately after internment (95% CI 76.9%-85.6%). Only 0.6% of women (95% CI 0.12%-1.63%) menstruated longer than 4 months after internment. After liberation, all but 8.9% of the women resumed menstruation within the first year (95% CI 88.4%-93.3%). Fecundity subsequent to liberation was not significantly affected by the imprisonment nor was there a significant increase in spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancies, stillbirths, or other pregnancy complications. Additionally, there was no evidence of impact on the subsequent frequency of gynecologic diseases or surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Imprisonment in German concentration camps during the Holocaust resulted in enormous emotional and psychological changes in the survivors. In addition, this study reveals abrupt changes in short-term menstrual function but little long-term physical damage to reproductive function.
Authors: Maria E Bleil; Joyce T Bromberger; Melissa D Latham; Nancy E Adler; Lauri A Pasch; Steven E Gregorich; Mitchell P Rosen; Marcelle I Cedars Journal: Menopause Date: 2013-06 Impact factor: 2.953