Is psychosexual therapy a reliable alternative to bupropion extended-release to promote the sexual function in infertile women? An RCT

Background: Various treatment methods are used to deal with sexual problems. Objective: This study was applied to answer the question of whether psychosexual therapy (PST) can be a reliable alternative to bupropion extended-release (BUP ER) to promote sexual function in infertile women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 105 infertile women with sexual dysfunction were randomly allocated to three groups: PST, BUP ER, and a control group. The PST group participated in a total of eight 2-hr group sessions. In BUP ER group, 150 mg/day Bupropion ER was administered for eight weeks. The control group did not receive any interventions. The female sexual function index (FSFI) and a clinical interview were used to assess their sexual dysfunction. Results: The mean pre-to-post treatment scores of FSFI and its subscales increased significantly in PST and BUP ER groups (except in the subscale of sexual pain) (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001). The changes in the subjects were not significant in the control group. After adjusting for the baseline values, the results remained significant for the mean FSFI (p = 0.0001), and its subscales between the groups. Compared to the control group, a significant increase was observed in the mean FSFI (p = 0.0001, p = 0.002) and its subscales in the PST group and in the BUP ER group (except in the subscale of sexual pain). Comparison of two intervention methods showed that PST had the better effect on the sexual function improving (p = 0.0001) and its subscales (exempting the subscale of orgasm) than BUP ER. Conclusion: PST can be considered not only a reliable alternative to pharmacotherapy; it also produces better results in terms of improving sexual function in infertile women. Key words: Infertility, Sexual activities, Drug therapy, Psychotherapy, Bupropion

Pharmacological and Non-pharmacological Therapeutic Strategies for Improvement of State-Trait Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial Among Iranian Infertile Women With Sexual Dysfunctions

Objective: To compare the effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies for improvement of state-trait anxiety among Iranian infertile women with sexual dysfunctions (SDs). Material and Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 105 women with infertility suffering from SDs were randomly assigned to participate in a 2-hour group weekly session of psychosexual therapy (PST) (n = 35), took a tablet of bupropion ER 150 mg/d (BUP ER) (n = 35), or control (n = 35) for 8 weeks during 2014–2015. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were completed before and after of the study. Results: State and trait anxiety levels had mean values of 47.80 ± 10.93 and 48.78 ± 11.34, respectively. Mean values of state and trait anxiety levels observed at baseline significantly decreased toward the end of the study in each of the treatment groups (PST, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001; BUP, P < 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively), and the decrease was more significant in the PST group than in the BUP ER group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.007, respectively) and the control group (P < 0.0001) and P < 0.0001, respectively). Significantly high improvement in state and trait anxiety levels was observed in the PST group than the BUP and control groups. However, the decrease in the BUP group was not significant than the control group (P < 0.076 and P < 0.186, respecttively). Conclusion: PST compared to bupropion ER treatment was found to be a more favorable strategy for improvement of state and trait anxiety symptoms

General health, economic status, and marriage duration as predictors of marital commitment during reproductive age among Iranian married women

Background: One of the important factors involved in a successful marriage during reproductive age is marital commitment. The aim of this study was to find which factors predict marital commitment during reproductive age in Iranian married women. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study was performed on married women. Adams and Jones' Dimensions of Commitment Inventory (DCI) were used to assess marital commitment. In addition, their current mental health was assessed using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The socioeconomic status of the participants was calculated based on household income, employment status, and education level. A total of 160 married women, who were between 15-49 years of age and were from six districts of Babol, were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Stepwise multiple regressions were used to determine the effect of independent variables on marital commitment. Results: The results of multiple regression showed that general health, the duration of marriage, and the economic status with standard beta coefficients of (-0.324), (-0.259), and (0.173) had the highest regression effect on marital commitment, respectively. These variables accounted for a total of 33% of the distribution of marital commitment. Conclusion: These findings suggest that general health, economic status, and the duration of marriage are predicable variables for marital commitment. It is necessary to emphasize the benefit of improving general health and economic status in increasing the degree of marital commitment, especially among women with longer duration of marriage

Effectiveness of Group Psychosexual Training for Marital Adjustment and Sexual Self-Efficacy of Infertile Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Infertility can be associated with unfavorable psychological consequences such as a sense of marital incompatibility and sexual inadequacy. To address these issues, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of group psycho-sexual training in improving marital adjustment and sexual self-efficacy of infertile women. Method: A randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) study was conducted in Babol, Iran, with 72 infertile women, randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 36) or the control group (n = 36). The intervention group underwent psychosexual training, while the control group received routine care. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale (SSES) were used to assess their marital adjustment and sexual self-efficacy. Data analysis was performed using various tests, including the independent t-test, Chi-squared test, paired t-test, ANCOVA, and MANCOVA. Results: Most infertile women had moderate sexual self-efficacy (80%). The intervention group had a significantly better response to group psycho-sexual training compared to the control group. This intervention improved sexual self-efficacy and marital adjustment and its subscales including marital consensus, satisfaction, cohesion (P < 0.0001), and affectional expression (P < 0.001). The mean pre-to-post treatment scores of sexual self- efficacy, marital adjustment, and its subscales increased significantly in the intervention group, while no significant difference was observed in the control group (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended to provide educational services alongside the infertility treatment process for enhancing the quality of marital adjustment and promoting sexual self-efficacy

Comparison of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment strategies in promotion of infertility self-efficacy scale in infertile women: A randomized controlled trial

Background: The infertility is associated with psychological consequence including depression, and lack of self-efficacy. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacological and no pharmacological strategies in promotion of self-efficacy of infertile women. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 89 infertile women who were recruited from Fatemeh Zahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center and were randomized into three groups; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), antidepressant therapy with flouxetine 20 mg daily for 3 month, and a control group. All participants completed Infertility Self-efficacy Inventory (ISE) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at the beginning and end of the study. Results: The means ISE scores among the CBT, fluoxetine, and control groups at the beginning and end of the study were 6.1±1.6 vs. 7.2±0.9, 6.4±1.4 vs. 6.9±1.3 and 6.1±1.1 vs. 5.9±1.4 respectively. Both CBT and fluoxetine increased the mean of ISE scores more than control group after intervention (p<0.0001, p=0.033; respectively), but increase in the CBT group was significantly greater than flouxetine group. Finally, there was evidence of high infertility self-efficacy for women exposed to the intervention compared with those in the control group. Also, there was an improvement in depression. Both fluoxetine and CBT decreased significantly the mean of BDI scores more than the control group; decrease in the CBT group was significantly more than that in the fluoxetine group. Conclusion: CBT can serve as an effective psychosocial intervention for promoting self-efficacy of infertile wome

Evaluation of anticancer effect of colchicum autumnale L. Corm on breast cancer cell

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, and medicinal plants can prevent and play an inhibitory role for cancer. This study aims to evaluate the anticancer effect of colchicum autumnale L. Corm on breast cancer cell models. Methods In this study, the alkaloid-rich extract was prepared using the percolation method and with methanol/water solvent (70:30). HFF2 normal cell line and MCF-7 breast cancer cell line were cultured in microplates (96 wells). Then cells were treated with concentrations of 62.5 to 2000 ng/ml of extract and concentrations of 62 to 1000 ng/ml of doxorubicin at regular intervals of 48 and 72 h, and the percentage of cell growth inhibition was calculated. Cytotoxicity of drugs was measured by the MTT assay method. IC50 values were calculated by Calcusyn software. Also, the P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Alkaloid-rich extract of Colchicum autumnale plant inhibited breast cancer cell growth (MCF-7). The IC50 parameter showed more cytotoxic effects of Colchicum autumnale plant extract on the MCF-7 cancer cell line than HFF2 normal cell line for 48 and 72 h. In addition, with higher concentrations of the extract, cytotoxicity, and growth inhibitory effect increased significantly and in comparison to the doxorubicin was almost the same as cytotoxic. Conclusion This research provides a novel view into the development of new drugs for the treatment of cancer diseases. Colchicum autumnale plant extract had a significant cytotoxic effect like Doxorubicin drug on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), which can alternatively treat and prevent breast cancer

Effectiveness of computer-based stress inoculation training (SIT) counseling approach on anxiety, depression, and stress of students with premenstrual syndrome

Abstract Background Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common public health issue affecting many women of reproductive age worldwide. This study has been designed to investigate of computer-based stress inoculation training (SIT) counseling approach on anxiety, depression, and stress of university students with PMS. Methods A randomized trial study with two parallel arms was done from 30 October 2022 to 21 June 2023 on 100 university students aged 18 to 38 at Babol University of Medical Sciences. The participants were randomly divided into two groups intervention and control. The data collection tools included questionnaires on demographic-fertility characteristics, the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and Riff’s Psychological Well-being Scale (RPWS). The data were assessed using chi-square, t-student, ANOVA repeated measure, and linear regression tests. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered for the analysis. Results The results of the study showed that the SIT interventions decreased the PMS severity and most psychological factors so in the intervention group, SIT was able to significantly reduce anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and Sheehan’s disability after intervention (P < 0.001). Based on multiple linear regression analysis, the most predictors of HADS were the PSS and SDS (β = 0.285, p = 0.009 and β = 0.236, p = 0.024, respectively). Conclusion The computer-based SIT counseling approach could reduce the severity of symptoms and psychological factors in students. Therefore, SIT intervention is recommended to manage their PMS. Trial registration IRCT20230130057274N2