8th European Congress on Menopause (EMAS) / Maturitas 63, Supplement 1 (2009) S1–S136 S117 463 THE EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD (EMF) ON DEVELOPMENT OF OVARY IN RAT (AN ELECTRONMICROSCOPIC STUDY) A.A. Khaki 1 , A. Khaki 2 . 1 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Anatomy, Tabriz, Iran, Islamic Republic of; 2 Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Pathology, Tabriz, Iran, Islamic Republic of Objectives: With the increase in modern technology, many industrial and household appliances, which we take for granted to be safe expose the public to magnetic fields. Various studies using rodents as experimental models have attempted to elucidate the reproductive toxic effects of exposure to weak magnetic fields and the results have been found to be rather contradictory. During the last decade genicular systems have been extensively studied and their vital importance for normal function is generally accepted and established their role in their regulation for spermatogenesis and ovogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Electromagnetic field (EMF) on in-vitro rat postnatal ovary development. Methods: A total of 40 male and 40 female Wistar rats (about 15 week-old) procured from animal house were used for the study. The equipment was based on Helmholtez coil which works following Fleming’s right hand rule. The experimental pups were exposed to EMF till five weeks of postnatal age Results: Showed heterochromatism and condensation of oocyte cell nu- cleus.Depopulation of follicles were seen. The empty spaces between the granulose and theca cells appeared. Conclusions: The results suggest that EMF exposure causes profound changes in the ovary on long term exposure it could result in irreversible damage which may lead to sub fertility. It is suggested that long term exposure should be avoided. Keywords: EMF, Ovary, electronmicroscopy. 464 THE EFFECT OF VAGINALLY ADMINISTERED ESTROGEN ON THE PULSATILITY INDEX IN PERIURETHRAL VESSELS P. Milart 1 , E. Wozniakowska 2 , T. Paszkowski 2 . 1 Medical University in Lublin, Laboratory of Diagnostic Procedures, Lublin, Poland; 2 Medical University in Lublin, 3rd Department of Gynecology, Lublin, Poland Objectives: Menopausal stress urinary incontinence may be connected with various morphological changes of the urinary tract, possibly caused by the depletion of estrogen. The role of transvaginal ultrasound in the assessment of urinary incontinence remains unclear. Pulsatility index (PI) measured in the periurethral vessels mirrors the blood flow in the crucial structure for urinary stress incontinence which is the menopausal urethra.The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the topically administered estrogens on PI changes in women suffering from stress urinary incontinence. Methods: The studied group consisted of 48 menopausal women suffering from urinary stress incontinence. The values of PI in periurethral arteries were measured by means of Doppler velocimetry assessment 3 times using a 7.5 MHz transvaginal probe and the mean value was calculated. The variables were measured before, after 3, and after 6 months of treatment with vaginal estradiol, initially 25μg pro die for two weeks, followed by 25 μg twice a week. Results: The median values (ranges) of PIs were 3.1 (2.6-3.7), 3.1 (2.7-3.7) and 3.0 (2.5-3.7) respectively (Friedman ANOVA, χ 2 =12.94, p=0.0016). Initially, the correlation between the PI and maximal closure urethral pressure was not established (Spearman’s Rank Correlation Test, R s =0.041, p>0.05). No significant change in the PI values after 3 months of treatment were found (Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, Z=1.69, p=0.09). Conclusion: 6-months-long estrogen therapy results in significant lowering of PI values in periurethral arteries thus giving the evidence of better blood supply of menopausal urethra treated with topical estradiol. Keywords: SUI, ultrasound. 465 THE MEANING OF URINARY INCONTINENCE TO POST MENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A QUALITATIVE PILOT STUDY IN IRAN M. Pakgohar 1 , T.A. Hamid 2 , H. Mohed Riji 3 , R. Ibrahim 4 , M. Vahid Dastjerdi 5 . 1 Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University Medical Sciences, Tehran, Ireland; 2 Institute of Gerontology of U.P.M, Kualalampur, Malaysia; 3 Facuty of Medicine and Health Sciences of U.P.M, Kualalampur, Malaysia; 4 Faculty of Human Ecology of U.P.M, Kualalampur, Malaysia; 5 Tehran University Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a dominant post menopausal condition in women. Women spend more than one - third of their life in postmenopausal period and more than 50% of them have urogenital problems in this period (jackson et al, 2006). Incontinence is a sensitive subject and seldom discussed openly in the west what more in the Iran. This paper reports on a pilot study to explore the meaning of living with urinary incontinence amongst Iranian postmenopausal women. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study approach was adopted in the study to illicit the experiences of living with incontinence. In-depth semi-structured interviews with two post menopausal women aged 55 and 63 years old was conducted in their house for ninety minutes. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results: One major theme emerged from the data which is labeled as learning how to live with UI. Within this theme two sub-themes (a) embarrassment and (b) self isolation emerged. This means that women with urinary incontinence must develop coping mechanism to live with the condition as having UI is a form of embarrassment and isolated them. This reflects the need to educate the women on urinary incontinence and to seek help as this condition can be treated. Conclusions: As a pilot study, it was limited by the small sample size and the need for additional reliability and validity measures, but we believe it presented a strong foundation and justification for more rigorous research into UI in Iran. Keywords: female urinary incontinence, post menopausal women, phenomenological qualitative study. 466 STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE (SUI) IN PRIMARY CARE AND THE ROLE OF DULOXETINE IN ITS MANAGEMENT S. Singh . Lordswood Community Healthy Living Centre, NHS, Chatham, United Kingdom Objectives: Study prevalence of SUI in primary care in relation to age, cau- sational factors, impact on quality of life (QL) and efficacy of conservative treatment with Duloxetine. Methods: 350 women aged 20-85 attending surgery including those seek- ing treatment of SUI: asked about the history and impact of it on QL over 2 years. Patients with SUI history offered conservative treatment. 40 patients with significant SUI given duloxetine 20mg B.D. for 2 weeks, increased to 40mg B.D. if symptoms uncontrolled. F/UP at regular intervals. Results: 41% experienced SUI of varying severity. Causes predominantly included child birth, Hysterectomy 39%, ageing 25%. Only 35% came for treatment. 40% did not discuss due to embarrassment, 25% accepted symp- toms as normal. 1/3 women wore protection of some kind. SUI affected QL: embarrassment, marital problems, depression etc. 60% consulted GP after 2-5 years of onset, 10% under 1 year, 40% never, 50% only detected on questioning. Among those given duloxetine 20mg (n=40) 50% improved after 4/52, with 70-95% reduction in SUI episodes with improved QL. 24% showed 70% reduction compared with 90-95% with 40mg. 9% stopped treatment due to side effects and were referred to specialists. 5% continued lower dose with 75% reduction in symptoms. Conclusions: 87% of patients were managed in primary care by developing UI pathway in collaboration with urodynamics and physiotherapists. Dulox- etine is safe, cost effective and avoids surgery with short lived side effects that diminish with time and dose adjustment with high acceptability, patient satisfaction, confidence and improved quality of life.