[Women's experiences about menopause and related factors]

Introduction: Women's quality of life following menopause is influenced not only by physical and psychosocial factors, but also by menopause-related concerns, their feelings and attitude and adjustment to menopause. The aim of the present study was to assess women's experiences after menopause and its related factors

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in 2016 on 350 menopausal women referred to 12 health centers affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Subjects were recruited using a two-stage sampling method, and data were collected through interview using two questionnaires, including a demographic questionnaire and a valid and reliable questionnaire, the "assessment of women's experiences in after menopause". Data was analyzed using Pearson and spearman correlation coefficient, one way ANOVA and multiple linear regression statistical methods

Results: Assessment of women's experiences in after menopause revealed a total score of 34.9+/-16.9 percent [Mean+/-SD]. Scores for the domains of women's experiences in menopause were 42.8+/-19.3% for physical complications, 34.8+/-26.4% for negative attitudes, 34.1+/-27.5% negative feelings, 32.7+/-19.6% for concerns, 33.2+/-28.2% for adjustment, and 29.5+/-24.3% for psychological complications. Duration of menopause was the only predicting factor for total score of women's experiences in menopause, i.e., with addition of one year to duration of menopause, the total score decreased by 1 point

Conclusion: Duration of menopause was the only predicting factor for the total score of women's experiences. Future policies and programs for improving quality of life of women after menopause should concentrate on decreasing menopause related physical complications, negative attitudes and feelings, concerns and psychological complications

trend of caesarean delivery in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran has witnessed a sharp increase in the number of caesarean sections in the past two decades. This study shows the trend of caesarean sections in the country, focusing on the probable causes of the increase during the past 30 years. The caesarean section rate was 35% in 2000 and increased to 48% in 2009. The study shows that there is a very wide range of prevalence of caesarean section rates in the country. This would indicate that most caesarean sections in our country are not medically indicated, although perhaps in some areas there are not enough caesarean sections. There is a need for research on health outcomes for mothers and infants associated with caesarean delivery without a medical or obstetrical indication. A more detailed examination is needed of mother, insurer, hospital and provider attitudes toward elective caesareans

Monitoring and enforcement of the salt iodization programme in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran: a successful experience

After a successful programme to prevent iodine deficiency disorders in the Islamic Republic of Iran in the 1990s and early 2000s, evidence emerged that urine iodine levels in the population were falling. This paper reviews efforts to monitor and enforce the iodization of salt production and shows the resulting improvements in iodization levels of factory- table salt and in urine iodine concentrations of primary-school children in East Azerbaijan province. Reaching targets for elimination of iodine deficiency disorders requires efficient monitoring of the population's iodine levels combined with monitoring of the iodine content of table salt and enforcement of iodization regulations

Comparative study of climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe menopausal symptoms in Iranian women in Tabriz, north-west Islamic Republic of Iran. A total of 200 women aged 45-55 years completed a Farsi version of the Greene climacteric scale. The mean total Greene scores for 20 items [1 item was excluded] were 29.34 [SD 9.84] for perimenopausal and 28.14 [SD10.15] for postmenopausal women. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women did not differ significantly in any of the subscales or individual items, except on 2 items: [difficulty in sleeping] and [parts of the body feeling numb ortingling]. Comparisons with studies in other countries show that women in Tabriz suffer more menopausal symptoms than European woman

[Abdominal mass in a 14-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis]

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited multi-system disease, characterized by respiratory and digestive system disorders. We describe a 14-year-old cystic fibrosis patient with chronic abdominal pain and a right lower quadrant mass. Diagnostic laparotomy was performed and pathological results revealed the etiology of mass as phelgman. In patients with cystic fibrosis, a lower quadrant mass may be difficult diagnostic problem Most frequently, it is due to a distal intestinal obstruction syndrome, but the possibility of intussusceptions and appendiceal abscess should also be considered. It seems that finding the cause of an abdominal mass in cystic fibrosis patients needs a closer attention

[Probable effects of fenugreek seed on hot flash in menopausal women]

The most popular problem in menopausal women is hot flash. Hot flash disturbs sleep and decreases woman's power for coping to daily problems. Currently, Hormone Replacement Therapy [HRT] is the most common method for treatment of menopausal complications. However, HRT can increase risk of tumor development in the estrogen-sensitive tissue. Phytoestrogens are one of the alternative therapies in HRT. Phytoestrogens are herbal compounds that have estrogenic activity. Fenugreek is one of the herbs that contain phytoestrogen compounds, but its effect on early menopausal symptoms hasn't been assessed yet. This study investigates the effect of fenugreek seed on vasomotor symptoms. In this quasi-experimental study, two groups of postmenopausal women were selected, each containing 25 patients. Women in control group received two 25-day treatments of 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen and 10 mg medroxy progesterone acetate. Women in fenugreek group received 6 g fenugreek seed powder in granule dosage form for 8 weeks. Vasomotor symptoms were assessed at baseline and after four and eight weeks of treatment. Mann-withny test was used for comparison between control and fenugreek groups and Freidman and Wilcoxone tests were used for comparison within the groups. Number of hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms between control and fenugreek group at baseline were not significantly different. Number of hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms showed significant decrease four and eight weeks after treatment on control group compared to fenugreek group. Number of hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms within control and fenugreek groups significantly decreased after four and eight weeks. Use of fenugreek seed for four and eight weeks caused to decrease number of hot flashes and vasomotors, but the effect was smaller than that of HRT. It seems that more studies are necessary before a final conclusion can be reached. Another investigation can be carried out using double blind method with placebo