Crohn's Disease and Gynecologic Manifestations in Young Women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the reproductive and gynecological concerns of young women with Crohn's disease.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of young women with Crohn's disease and gynecologic concerns at a large, urban tertiary children's hospital.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Documentation of abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, genital fistula, ulcer, or abscess.


RESULTS
Most of the patients (85.7%) had menstrual concerns reported as abnormal bleeding patterns or chronic pelvic pain. Genital complaints (fistula, ulcer, or abscess) were present in 75% of patients who ultimately required immune modulators or antibiotics to control their Crohn's disease. Genital complaints were present in only 1 of 3 patients who did not have a history of immune modulator use for Crohn's disease related flare.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a paucity of information available on gynecological concerns occurring in patients with Crohn's disease. Providers should be aware of gynecological manifestations that might appear concurrently with Crohn's colitis, including vulvovaginal pain, vulvar infections, rectovaginal or rectovestibular fistulas, pelvic pain, and menstrual irregularities.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: daviskankanamgec@umkc.edu.
C N
CN
Davis-Kankanamge
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
J L
JL
Bercaw-Pratt
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
X M
XM
Santos
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
J E
JE
Dietrich
D000293:Adolescent; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000209:etiology*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Chronic disease; Crohn's disease; Vulvar manifestation