Prostaglandins and their Inhibitors in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

It is clear today that several prostaglandins play an important role in the regulation of many of the physiological events of the reproductive organs in the human. Both naturally occurring prostaglandins and their analogues are used routinely in many countries to ripen the cervix and induce labour at term as well as to dilate the cervix and to terminate pregnancy. Prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. The editors have aimed at an accurate, thorough, yet easily under­ standable review of the status in 1986 of medical knowledge regarding both the physiological importance and the clinical use of prostaglan­ dins and their inhibitors in obstetrics and gynaecology. I believe this book will be of value for all clinicians concerned with reproductive health. The list of authors guarantees an authoritative and up-to-date review of this active field. SUNE BERGSTROM Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Table Examples of clinical use of natural prostaglandins and some prostaglandin analogues Indications Prostaglandin Route of administration Manufacturer Dilatation of the cervix prior 15-methyl-PGF • Intramuscular Upjohn, USA 2 to vacuum aspiration 16-phenoxy-PGE methyl sulphonylamide Intramuscular Schering AG, West Germany 2 16,16-dimethyl-PGE methyl ester 1 Vaginal ONO, Japan; May & Baker, UK Second trimester abortion Intra -amniotic Upjohn, USA; ONO, Japan PGF 20 Upjohn, USA PGE Vaginal 2 Upjohn, USA 15-methyl-PGF 2. Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Bioregulation and mode of action....Pages 3-12 Structure, biosynthesis and metabolism....Pages 13-26 Front Matter....Pages 27-27 The cervix....Pages 29-57 The uterus....Pages 59-81 The Fallopian tube....Pages 83-98 The ovary....Pages 99-108 Implantation....Pages 109-130 Male fertility....Pages 131-142 Front Matter....Pages 143-143 Cervical ripening....Pages 145-164 Induction of labour....Pages 165-202 Inhibition of labour....Pages 203-231 Postpartum haemorrhage....Pages 233-251 Abnormal intrauterine pregnancy....Pages 253-270 Induced abortion....Pages 271-314 Dysmenorrhoea and other menstrual disorders....Pages 315-334 Front Matter....Pages 335-335 Pregnancy-induced hypertension....Pages 337-366 Premenstrual syndrome....Pages 367-389 Endometriosis....Pages 391-409 Epilogue....Pages 411-419 Back Matter....Pages 421-430