Comparison of sexual function in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis: A cross-sectional study

Background: Infertility is one of the issues affecting sexual function (SF). Infertility is also one of the complications of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Objective: This research seeks to assess and compare SF and the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in infertile women with PCOS and endometriosis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 630 (210 infertile women with endometriosis, 210 infertile women with PCOS, and 210 healthy women of childbearing age as the control group). SF was assessed by the female sexual function index (FSFI). Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The primary outcome measured was FSFI score. Secondary outcome was hospital anxiety and depression scale score. Results: The results showed that the mean score of the total FSFI in the 2 groups of PCOS and endometriosis was lower than the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, women with higher education (university education) had a higher total FSFI. Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction rates are high in infertile women with endometriosis and PCOS. Infertility service providers in infertility centers need to pay attention to this issue. Key words: Polycystic ovarian syndrome, Endometriosis, Infertility, Sexual dysfunction

The effect of hormone replacement therapy on cognitive function in postmenopausal women: An RCT

Background: During the reproductive age, the human brain becomes a target for gonadal steroid hormones. Estrogens influence neural function through effects on neurons and affects indirectly the oxidative stress, inflammation, the cerebral vascular and the immune system. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the cognitive function in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 140 postmenopausal women, from November 2014 to February 2015, were included. Women were randomly divided into two groups. Each woman in the case group took traditional HRT (0.625mg conjugated equine estrogens+2.5mg medroxyprogesterone acetate daily) plus one Cal+D tablet (500 mg calcium+200 IU vitamin D) daily for four months. Women in the control group received only one Cal+D tablet (500 mg calcium+200 IU vitamin D) daily for four months period. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Green Climacteric Scale (GCS) questionnaires filled out after the intervention and compared between the two groups. Results: The mean points of the MoCA after the intervention indicate that all MoCA domains except for the orientation improved in the case group. There was a significant difference in the memory domain after the treatment between the two groups. MoCA domains and GCS were negatively correlated after the intervention (r = −0.235, p = 0.006). Conclusion: The HRT has affected some of the MoCA factors. The effects of HRT on cognitive function should be studied in a large prospective study in a group of women in their early and late menopausal ages with periodic assessment of their cognitive function during these follow-up years. Key words: Streptococcus agalactiae, Iran, Pregnancy, Prevalence, Female.Key words: Cognition, Hormone replacement therapy, Postmenopausal women

Corrigendum to “The association of food consumption and nutrient intake with endometriosis risk in Iranian women: A case-control study” [Int J Reprod BioMed 2019; 17: 661-670]

The authors have been informed of an error that occurred on page 661 in which the word “Iran” has been missed in the affiliation of the third author (Azadeh Mottaghi), which should be corrected as: “Research Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran”. On behalf of the author, the publisher wishes to apologize for this error. The online version of article has been updated on 15 November 2022 and can be found at https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v17i9.5102

The association of food consumption and nutrient intake‎ with endometriosis risk in Iranian women: A case-control study

Background: Endometriosis, defined as the attendance of endometrial-like lesions in extra uterine locations, causes pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between food consumption and nutrient intake with risk of endometriosis. Materials and Methods: Of the 156 women approached for the study, 78 women had endometriosis and 78 healthy women were included in the control group. Dietary data were collected using a validated 147-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) with the standard serving size. A logistic regression model was used to determine the association of macronutrients and energy intake with the risk of endometriosis. Results: In women with higher intake of protein, especially animal protein, monounsaturated fatty acids, soluble and insoluble fiber, oleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid endometriosis is less common (p < 0.05). High consumption of vegetables, fruits, red meat, yellow vegetables, potatoes, legumes, dairy products, liquid oil, and low intake of fried potatoes was associated with a lower risk of endometriosis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Regarding the association of dietary intake on endometriosis risk, counseling about improving the dietary structure can contribute toward the prevention and control of endometriosis. Key words: Endometriosis, Macronutrient, Diet, Case-control study

Association of acne, hirsutism, androgen, anxiety, and depression on cognitive performance in polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Background: While polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often associated with psychological distress, its most frequent clinical characteristics include acne, hirsutism and increased level of androgen hormones. Objective: To evaluate the level of depression and anxiety, hirsutism, acne, and level of androgen hormones in PCOS and control group and its association with cognitive function. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 53 women with PCOS and 50 healthy women as a control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire including the samples’ demographic information, clinical features, clinical findings of hyperandrogenism, and the Beck Depression and Anxiety questionnaire. In addition, the acne and hirsutism levels of the subjects were evaluated using the global acne grading system and the Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system, respectively. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a screening test for cognitive impairment that covers major cognitive domains. Results: A significant difference was found between the two groups in the mean levels of acne, hirsutism, total testosterone, free androgen index, depression, and anxiety. However, some mean values of the MoCA were lower in the women of case group compared to the control group. Additionally, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in the domains of visual-spatial ability (p = 0.009), executive function (p = 0.05), attention (p = 0.03), and total MoCA scores (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The PCOS women demonstrated significantly lower performance on the tests of executive function, attention, and visual-spatial function than the healthy control women. Key words: PCOS, Cognitive function, Androgen, Depression and anxiety

Evaluation of risk factors associated with endometriosis in infertile women

Background: Endometriosis affects women�s physical and mental wellbeing. Symptoms include dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility. The purpose of this study is to assess the correlation between some relevant factors and symptoms and risk of an endometriosis diagnosis in infertile women. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 1282 surgical patients in an infertility Institute, Iran between 2011 and 2013 were evaluated by laparoscopy. Of these, there were 341 infertile women with endometriosis (cases) and 332 infertile women with a normal pelvis (comparison group). Chi-square and t tests were used to compare these two groups. Logistic regression was done to build a prediction model for an endometriosis diagnosis. Results: Gravidity odds ratio (OR): 0.8, confidence interval (CI): 0.6-0.9, P=0.01, parity (OR: 0.7, CI: 0.6-0.9, P=0.01), family history of endometriosis (OR: 4.9, CI: 2.1-11.3, P0.05). Fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain and premenstrual spotting were more significant among late-stage endometriosis patients than in those with early-stage endometriosis and more prevalent among patients with endometriosis than that of the comparison group. In the logistic regression model, gravidity, family history of endometriosis, history of galactorrhea, history of pelvic surgery, dysmenorrhoea, pelvic pain, dysparaunia, premenstrual spotting, fatigue, and diarrhea were significantly associated with endometriosis. However, the number of pregnancies was negatively related to endometriosis. Conclusion: Endometriosis is a considerable public health issue because it affects many women and is associated with the significant morbidity. In this study, we built a prediction model which can be used to predict the risk of endometriosis in infertile women. © 2016, Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in four phenotypes of PCOS and its relationship with androgenic components among Iranian women: A cross-sectional study

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) increases the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Insulin resistance (IR) plays a major role in the pathophysiology of both PCOS and MetS. Objective: This study was designed to compare the prevalence of MetS among different phenotypes of PCOS and its relationship with androgenic components. Materials and Methods: 182 participants eligible for this five-group comparative study were selected by convenience sampling method. They were classified according to the Rotterdam criteria: clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism (H) + PCOS on ultrasound (P) + ovulation disorders (O) (n = 41), clinical and/or biochemical H + PCOS on P (n = 33), PCOS on P + O (n = 40), clinical and/or biochemical H + O (n = 37), and control (without PCOS) (n = 31). MetS was measured based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Androgenic components included free androgen- index (FAI), total-testosterone (TT) level and sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG). Results: A significant difference was observed between the study groups in terms of MetS prevalence (p = 0.01). In phenotype H+P+O, there was a statistically significant positive association between TG and TT, and a significant negative association between SBP and DBP with SHBG. In phenotype O+P, WC was inversely associated with SHBG. In phenotype H+O, FBS and TG were positively associated with FAI but HDL was inversely associated with FAI. Moreover, WC and DBP were positively associated with TT in phenotype H+O. No associations were detected between MetS parameters and androgenic components in other PCOS subjects (phenotype H+P) and in the control group. TT was significantly higher in the PCOS group suffering from MetS (p = 0.04). Conclusion: According to the research results, hyperandrogenic components are potent predictors of metabolic disorders. Thus, we suggest that MetS screening is required for the prevention of MetS and its related complications in PCOS women. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Metabolic syndrome, Hyperandrogenism

Effects of endometriosis on sleep quality of women: Does life style factor make a difference?

Background: This study aimed to compare the lifestyle factors and SQ between women with and without endometriosis. Also in this essay, the influence of food intake, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on sleep quality of women with endometriosis was determined. Methods: Of the 156 infertile women approached for the study, 78 women had endometriosis and 78 were included in the control group. At first, each participant completed a checklist including questions about demographics, physical activity, reproductive and menstrual status. SQ was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Dietary data were collected using a validated 147-item semi-quantitative FFQ. Results: Irregular menstrual status, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, history of abortion, family history of endometriosis were associated with endometriosis risk (P < 0.05). In women with physical activity more than 3 h per week, high consumption of the dairy product, and fruit endometriosis is less common (P < 0.05). The total PSQI score, and the scores for subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disturbance domains were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). In women with endometriosis, poor SQ was associated with dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, physical activity, and low consumption of the dairy product, fruit, and nut (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In endometriosis women, SQ was lower than healthy individuals. Lifestyle factors can effect on SQ of these patients. © 2020 The Author(s)

Comparison of dietary micronutrient intake in PCOS patients with and without metabolic syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-age women. It is one of the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS). These two syndromes have an inflammatory etiologic foundation along with oxidative stress. The present study aimed to compare the dietary intake of antioxidant micronutrients in PCOS women with and without MetS. Materials and methods: Overall, 42 participants eligible for this nested case control study were selected by the convenience sampling method. The case group included 14 PCOS patients with MetS and the control group included 28 PCOS patients without MetS. The dietary intake assessment of selenium, chromium, zinc, carotenoids, vitamin D and vitamin E was carried out by a 147-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). PCOS and MetS were diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria and NCEP ATP III, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS16 software, T-test and Mann Whitney. Significant P-value was considered 0.05. Results: Dietary intake of antioxidant micronutrients (selenium, zinc, chromium, carotenoids and vitamin E) was significantly lower in the PCOS women with MetS than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Since the PCOS patients without MetS had more intake of the aforementioned micronutrients than those with MetS, it is assumed that the dietary intake of these nutrients could probably have a protective effect on MetS. © 2021, The Author(s)

Health related quality of life and psychological parameters in different polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes: a comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is associated with high levels of phsychological implications and detriments to Quality of Life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess Health- Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), depression, and anxiety in Iranian women with different PCOS phenotypes. Methods The present observational, cross-sectional study was carried out on 239 PCOS women who were classified on the basis of Rotterdam criteria into four categories: A (n = 77), B (n = 38), C (n = 68), and D (n = 56). They asked to fill out three questionnaires, namely, HRQoL, SF-12, and HADS. Results No significant differences were observed between the four PCOS phenotypes for anxiety, depression and QoL, as well as HRQoL domains related to infertiliy, weight and emotional problems (P > 0.05). Phenotypes A and B had worse HRQoL related to hirsutism (13.98 ± 5.22, 14.13 ± 6.23, P < 0.001). In addition, no significant differences were observed between them for HRQoL domains. While the score of acne in phenotype D (19.60 ± 5.12, P = 0.003) and menstrual score in phenotype C were significantly higher comparing to the other PCOS groups (16.82 ± 3.87, P < 0.001). Conclusion Presenting similar psychological profiles in all phenotypes unveils the importance of pychological well-being screening, even in milder reproductive phenotypes