Hormone replacement therapy: Post-menopausal sex life and attitudes towards sex

Background: Menopause is a natural phase of life, but it can bring about physical problems for women. It seems that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be helpful in preventing problems at this stage of life. Patient and physician attitudes regarding menopause and HRT may affect decisions about the use of HRT This study was conducted to determine attitudes about the importance of sex in menopausal women and examine the relationship between HRT and sex life after menopause. Methods: This is a comparative study that was done in the year 2000. The questionnaire used had two main parts. One hundred and fifty-four women receiving HRT were chosen from private gynecology clinics north of Tehran city and 130 women who were not receiving HRT were chosen from the neighborhood of the HRT group. The sex lives and attitudes towards sex of the women before and after menopause were then compared, and the results were tabulated in 55 tables. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used. Results: The average age in the HRT group was 53 years and that in the non-HRT group was 56 years. There was a significant difference in the average age between the two groups (P < 0.001). The average number of years post-menopause was 3.9 in the HRT group and 5.9 in the non-HRT group. In the HRT group, 91.9 of the women used the hormone as prescribed by their physician. In this group, 85.7 of the women were of the opinion that sex was important, but this proportion in the non-HRT group was 25.4. There was a significant difference between the HRT and non-HRT groups (P < 0.001). Compared to the attitudes before menopause, the attitudes about the importance of sex in 56.5 of the HRT group and 19.2 of the non-HRT group did not change after menopause. Women receiving HRT fared better in all aspects of their sex life, including libido, sexual activity, sexual satisfaction, sexual pleasure, frequency of orgasms and sexual importance at the time of the study. There were significant differences between the HRT and non-HRT groups (P < 0.001). With respect to sexual pleasure, 6.5 of the HRT group and 4.6 of the non-HRT group experienced greater pleasure; 68.5 of the HRT group and 11.5 of the non-HRT group experienced no change; and 83.8 of the non-HRT group experienced less pleasure. There was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to the change in sexual pleasure (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Although the importance of sex decreased for elderly women in both the HRT group and non-HRT group, HRT affected their attitudes about the importance of sex. There was a significant difference between the HRT group and non-HRT group in this area (P < 0.001). The importance of sex in the HRT group did not change much after menopause, compared to the non-HRT group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). There were fewer changes in all aspects of sex life after menopause for those in the HRT group compared to those in the non-HRT group. In the month before the interview, 30.5 of the HRT group and 10.8 of the non-HRT group had experienced complete sexual satisfaction. The difference was significant between the two groups (P < 0.001). On the basis of the importance of sex during post-menopausal life, counseling on the benefits of HRT might be recommended

Developing criteria for Cesarean Section using the RAND appropriateness method

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cesarean section rates are increasing worldwide, and a rapid increase has been observed in Iran. Disagreement exists between clinicians about when to use cesarean section. We aimed to identify the appropriateness criteria for the use of cesarean section in Iran.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A consensus development study using a modified version of the RAND Appropriateness Method (RAM). We generated scenarios from valid clinical guidelines and expert opinions. A panel of experts participated in consensus development: first round via mail (12 members), second round face-to-face (9 members). We followed the RAM recommendations for the development of the scenario lists, rating scales, and statistical analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>294 scenarios relevant to cesarean section were identified. 191 scenarios were considered appropriate, of which 125 scenarios were agreed upon. The panel found cesarean inappropriate for 21% of scenarios, and 'equivocal' for 14% of scenarios.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>RAM is useful for identifying stakeholder views in settings with limited resources. The participants' views on appropriateness of certain indications differed with available evidence. A large number of scenarios without agreement may partly explain why it has been difficult to curb the growth in cesarean section rate.</p

A Study on the Effects of Teak Cream on Striae gravidarum

Abstract Background & aim: striae gravidarum is a form of scarring of the skin during pregnancy and there are always some challenges to its prevention and treatment. This study was conducted todetermine the effects of Teak cream on the severity of striae gravidarum. Methods:. This clinical trial was conducted on 100 primigravidas who were referred to health centers of Tehran.. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (consuming Teak cream) or control group (using placebo). A Canon Camera was used to photograph the presence of Striae gravidarum in both groups during 37-40 weeks of pregnancy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: Striae had emerged among 64%of those using Teakcream and 60% of those in the control group but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the use of Teak cream in pregnancy is not effective in reducing the occurrence of striae gravidarum. Key words: prevention, striae gravidarum, Teak crea

The Effect of Valerian on Sleep Component among Menopausal Women

Abstract: Background & Aims: About 50 percent of menopausal women have sleep problems that can lead to reduced quality of life; according to the population growth in postmenopausal women today, raising the level of their health issues are deemed important. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of valerian on sleep component among 60-50 year women. Methods: In this study, a randomized controlled trial design was employed. Participants consisted of 100 women with menopause aged 50-60, who suffered from insomnia. Instruments included demographic data form and Pittsburg sleep quality index. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Prevalence of sleep disorders by Pittsburg sleep quality index in this group was 70%. A statistically significant change was reported in the six component of sleep disturbance in intervention group in comparison to the placebo group (p=0.000). But the sixth component (the mount of drugs) was not statistically different. Conclusion: The results show that valerian improves the component of sleep in women with insomnia. So, it is essential that health providers would be familiar with these herb supplements. Keywords: Menopause, Valerian, Sleep disturbanc

Trend of exercise and believes about it in women's that referred to health center of Iran university

Back ground: The best time for doing health behavior for promoting quality of life is in pregnancy and postpartum. One of the health behaviors that have multi dimensional advantage is exercise. Material and method: The aim of this study was to determine ine the Trend of mother's physical exercise in before, during pregnancy, postpartum and believes about it, this was a Retrospective longitudinal of study, for this study 225 were enrolled by continuous sampling. Result: The most important exercise in before,during pregnancy and postpartum was walking, the result of Repeated mature test show that trend of exercise before pregnancy to 3 months after that was decreased. The main advantages of behavioral belief during pregnancy and post partum were that exercise: make the sense of happiness and enjoying 94/7, 94/2 The main behavioral disadvantages during pregnancy and post partum were that exercise: make the fatigue 68, 49/9 the courage person influences during pregnancy and postpartum were physician 91/6, 88/9. The control beliefs obstructing exercise during pregnancy were Fear of harming to baby and 3month after post partum were don't receipt any consultant about exercise 80 Conclusion: this study show that the trend of physical activity was regressed from the period before pregnancy to 3 month after that so it suggested that professional care with attention to theory of planned behavior in ward of prenatal care, vaccination, family planning, try to advance exercise between women during pregnancy and postpartum period. © 2010, INSInet Publication

Birth ball or heat therapy? A randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of birth ball usage with sacrum-perineal heat therapy in labor pain management

Objective: Labor pain and its management is a major concern for childbearing women, their families and health care providers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two non-pharmacological methods such as birth ball and heat therapy on labor pain relief. Material & methods: This randomized control trial was undertaken on 90 primiparous women aged 18-35 years old who were randomly assigned to two intervention (birth ball and heat) and control groups. The pain score was recorded by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before the intervention and every 30 min in three groups until cervical dilatation reached 8 cm. Results: The mean pain severity score in the heat therapy group was less than that of in control group at 60 and 90 min after intervention (p < 0.05). In addition there were significantly differences between the pain scores in the birth ball group after all three investigated times in comparison to control group. Conclusion: Both heat therapy and birth ball can use as inexpensive complementary and low risk treatment for labor pain. � 2016 Elsevier Ltd

The effect of aphrodite on orgasm and sexual desire in menopausal women: A randomized clinical trial

Background & Aim: Lack of orgasm during intercourse and loss of libido in menopause is very common and can reduce women's quality of life. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Aphrodite on orgasm and sexual desire in postmenopausal women. Methods & Materials: The study design was a randomized clinical trial with a control group. Participants were comprised of 80 postmenopausal women 50-60 years old. The instruments consisted of the demographic characteristics form and the Sabbatsbergsexual function scale that a part of itevaluates orgasm and sexual desire. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and independent t-test were used to analyze data through SPSS software v.16. Results: The mean score of orgasm before intervention in the Aphrodite group was 30.25±20.6 and in the placebo group was 29±21.9. One month after intervention, this score increased to 41.12±10.08 in the Aphrodite groupand was 29.12±29.66 in the placebo group, that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.02). As well, for the sexual desire score, there was a significant difference between the two groups of Aphrodite and control after intervention (P=0.008). Conclusion: The use of Aphrodite can improve sexual desire and orgasm in menopausal women. So, it is essential that healthcare providers be familiar with this herbal supplement. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved