Abstract: Dysmenorrhea, disfunctional uterine bleeding, preterm labor and postpartum labor in female mammals are treated by inhibiting uterine contractility by administering thereto a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, optionally in combination with one or more of a prostaglandin inhibitor, a prostacyclin-mimetic, a progestin, an oxytocin antagonist or a .beta.-agonist in an amount effective to ameliorate the symptoms thereof; and inadequate menses treated and induction of abortion or stimulation of labor in a pregnant female is achieved by uterine contractility stimulation by administering thereto a nitric oxide inhibitor, either alone or optionally in a combination of progesterone antagonist, an oxytocin or-oxytocin analogue antagonist or a prostaglandin.

Abstract: The symptoms of climacterium in male mammals, e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, are ameliorated by the administration to an afflicted individual one or both of a nitric oxide substrate and/or nitric acid donor, in combination with an androgen, an aromatase inhibitor or both, wherein the circulating levels of testosterone in the afflicted individual are increased.

Abstract: Preeclampsia and preterm labor in a pregnant female mammal are treated by administering thereto a combination of a progestin and a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, optionally in further combination with one or more of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a PGI.sub.2 -mimetic, a thromboxane (TXA.sub.2) inhibitor, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -agonistic and TXA.sub.2 -inhibiting properties, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -antagonistic and PGI.sub.2 -memetic activities, and a TXA.sub.2 antagonist.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for and methods of treatment of menstrual disorders, e.g., dysmenorrhea, in a non-pregnant female, preterm labor, preeclampsia and/or fetal growth retardation in a pregnant female mammal, treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease and hypertension in males as well as females, and for hormone replacement therapy in peri- and post-menopausal females, comprising administering effective amounts of an endothelin antagonist and/or an endothelin synthase inhibitor or both, in combination witha progestin, and/or an estrogen, and/ora cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and/ora nitric oxide donor and/or nitric oxide substrate,to prevent and/or ameliorate said conditions, are disclosed. In the method aspects, the endothelin antagonist and/or endothelin synthase inhibitor can be administered alone for treatment of menstrual disorders, e.g., dysmenorrhea, in a non-pregnant female, preterm labor, preeclampsia and/or fetal growth retardation in a pregnant female mammal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment and prevention of urinary incontinence in mammals, e.g., human males and females, especially nonpregnant female mammals, by administering a nitric oxide synthase substrate and/or nitric oxide donor, alone or in combination with an estrogenic agent and/or a progestational substance, with or without supplementation with an alpha-adrenergic agonist, beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, cholinergic-receptor blocking compound or a cholinergic-receptor-stimulating drug, as well as pharmaceutical compositions useful in practicing the methods of this invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for recording uterine electrical activity from the surface of the abdomen or vagina for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus or abdominal muscles in pregnant and nonpregnant patients. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing electromyographic data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize uterine activity. The method and apparatus described include algorithms for the systematic analysis of electrical signals recorded from the abdominal surface. Such processing comprises integration of signals, frequency spectral analysis, 3-dimensional power density mesh plots, vector analysis, fast wavelet transform, and joint time-frequency characteristics. These techniques and apparatus are appropriate for use in a clinic or through communication lines for use as a remote or home uterine monitoring system.

Abstract: Inhibition of ovulation in a female may be achieved by administering a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, alone or in combination with one or more of a progestin, an estrogen, and an LH-RH antagonist, thereby preventing conception. The stimulation of ovulation in a female may be achieved by administering a nitric oxide source, optionally in further combination with one or more of clomiphene, a gonadotropin, and an LH-RH agonist.

Abstract: Nitric oxide has proved to mediate many important physiological processes. The nitric oxide donors of the present invention have a NONOate anion linked to an ortho-substituted aryl, a heteroaromatic substituent, asteroid, or a catecholamine. Preferred ortho substituents are alkoxy, halo, and alkyl. The cation of the salt is an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, an ammonium or substituted ammonium group. Nitric oxide donors provided herein are more stable than that of nitrogen-bonded NONOates described previously. The by product left after release of NO, and the nitric oxide donors themselves, are very probably less carcinogenic than the corresponding nitrogen-bonded NONOates.

Abstract: The stimulation of ovulation in a female may be achieved by administering a nitric oxide source, optionally in further combination with one or more of clomiphene, a gonadotropin, and an LH-RH agonist.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for recording uterine electrical activity from the surface of the abdomen or vagina for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus in pregnant and nonpregnant patients. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing electromyographic data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize uterine activity. The method and apparatus described include algorithms for the systematic analysis of electrical signals recorded from the abdominal surface. Such processing comprises integration of signals, frequency spectral analysis, 3-dimensional power density mesh plots, vector analysis, fast wavelet transform, and joint time-frequency characteristics. These techniques and apparatus are appropriate for use in a clinic or through communication lines for use as a remote or home uterine monitoring system.

Abstract: The symptoms of the climacterium are ameliorated by the administration to an afflicted individual one or both of a nitric oxide substrate and/or nitric acid donor, alone or optionally in combination with a progestin or, in the case of a non-pregnant female, either a progestin or an estrogen or both.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and analyzing uterine electrical and mechanical activity from the abdominal surface. Electrodes are applied to the abdominal surface of a patient, and electromyographic signals produced by the electrodes are digitized, stored and analyzed to assess uterine electrical activity. Assessment of the function of other smooth muscle organs, for example the bladder and lower gastrointestinal tract is also contemplated.

Abstract: Inhibition of ovulation in a female may be achieved by administering an arginine derivative which acts as a nitric oxide sythase inhibitor, alone or in combination with one or more of a progestin, an estrogen, and an LH-RH antagonist, thereby preventing conception.