[Survey on sexual satisfaction situation and some of affecting agents in postmenopausal women]

Menopause is defined as the ability of fertility to infertility and has a significant role in personality, social and cultural aspects. Menopause has a special situation in reproductive health. One of the problems during the menopause period is decreasing of sexual desire or sexual satisfaction. Sexual aspects of postmenopausal women can promote their health and quality of life. This study was conducted to determine affecting agents on sexual satisfaction of postmenopausal women referring to healthcare clinics affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran in 2007. In this descriptive study 270 menopause women were selected by convenience sampling method. A questionnaire was used for data collection comprising of two parts: demographic and sexual satisfaction questions. Mean age of menopause women was 52.49 +/- 4.93 years. A desirable sexual satisfaction rate was 58.9% and 66.3% had undesirable sexual satisfaction. Sexual desire dimension was associated with womens' job [P<0.05]. Sexual excitation dimension was associated with primary and intermediate education of postmenopausal women, intermediate husband's education and spouse; free job. Sexual orgasm and relaxation after coitus was associated with unmasturbation and sexual activity of their women. Total sexual satisfaction rate was associated with age of menopause [P< 0.01], primary and intermediate education of postmenopausal women [P< 0.05], primary and intermediate education of spouse and satisfaction rate from sexual activity [P< 0.01]. Although postmenopausal stage is associated with decreased level of sexual hormones and drive intimate relationship with spouse, increasing education level leading to increasing knowledge and adaptation with menopause, can elevate sexual satisfaction

[Effects of chamomile essence aromatherapy on episiotomy pain of primiparous women]

Pain is one of the most common complaints, putting the balance and health of patients at risk. Episiotomy is a frequent surgical procedure causing pain. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used today for pain relief. This double-blind clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of aromatherapy with chamomile essence on episiotomy pain in primiparous women referring to Shaheed Norani Hospital at Talesh town in 2007. 88 pregnant women undergoing episiotomy were selected by convenience sampling method and divided into 2 experimental and control groups. The experimental group was given sitz bath twice a day with chamomile essence while the other group used the same procedure with placebo. Both groups were taught pain severity assessment with a 10-point scale. The severity was assessed and documented in both groups on the 1[st], 7[th] and 14[th] days. A questionnaire, a health facility assessment form, a visual scale for pain and an analgesic consumption sheet were used for data collection. Content validity and inter-rater reliability were used for the tools. The severities of pain in the experimental and control groups on the 7[th] and 14[th] days were [2.20 +/- 0.79, 2.30 +/- 0.82] and [0.48 +/- 0.59, 0.73 +/- 0.66] respectively with no significant difference. It seems that chamomile essence have no effect on the relief of episiotomy pain. Further studies in this regard are warranted

Effects of intermittent and continuous oxytocin infusion on outcomes of pregnancy

Induction of the labor is one of challenging therapies in midwifery. Synthetic oxytocin has been used for many years in obstetric practice for the induction and augmentation of labor. Common side effects of oxytocin are overstimulation, fetal distress and emergency Caesarian section. Despite its extensive use, there is no consensus regarding the initial dose, dosage increments and/or the maximal dose. In addition, there is not enough data to know whether induction or argumentation of labor with oxytocin should be continued or stopped after the onset of active labor. Prolonged oxytocin infusion causes desensitization of oxytocin receptors and reduction of oxytocin receptors MRNA. This study was accomplished to compare the effects of intermittent and continuous oxytocin infusion on outcome of pregnancy in those referring to hospital in Maraghe in 2006. 102 pregnant women were randomly selected and divided into two groups of intermittent and continuous oxytocin infusion. The groups were then matched in terms of parity, age, BMI before pregnancy, gestational age, indication of induction and Bishop score for initiation of oxytocin infusion. Induction of labor in the groups was started by oxytocin infusion of 2mu/min [10 IU of oxytocin was dilated in 1000cc of 0.9% normal saline] and the dosage in the continuous group was increased every 15 minutes by 2mu/min until 3 regular contractions at least 45-60 seconds with moderate severity over 10 minutes. Infusion of oxytocin in intermittent group was discontinued when cervical dilation reached to 5-6 cm but, in the continuous group, infusion of oxytocin was continued at the same level until delivery. Data were collected by a questionnaire, observation of vagina and physical examination. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the quality of contractions in terms of frequency, duration and severity of contractions [p>0/05]. The rate of overstimulation in the continuous group was more. The lengths of active phase in intermittent group were less and the rate of fetal distress in continuous group was more. The rate of Cesarean section in continuous group was less than intermittent group. Further studies in this regard are warranted

Comparison of inhalation of a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the severity of pain in the active phase of labor among those referring to Tehran's Mahdieh maternity hospital in 2001

Pain relieving is one of the main aspects of obstetrics. Mental and physiologic complications of acute labor pains on fetus and mother are well known. In our maternity hospitals, relieving the labor pain is not routinely applied. Hence, it seems necessary to evaluate the cheap and safe methods in this regard. The present study has been accomplished in 2001 on those referring to Tehran's Mahdieh maternity hospital, with the aim of comparing the impact of inhalation of a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide [Entonox] with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation [TENS] on the labor pain. 60 volunteer parturients were randomly placed in two groups of TENS and Entonox. The two groups were the matched according to the labor stimulation and the number of parities. The relevant data were collected via the questionnaire, observing and physical examination. Mothers of both groups applied each method in the form of self administering and showed their pain severity in certain intervals [4-5 cm, 6-7 cm, 8-9 cm, 10cm dilatations] to the researcher using visual analog scale. The mean of the pain severity in the whole active phase of labor was 6.91 +/- 1.03 in the TENS group and 5.18 +/- 1.15 in Entonox [p=0.0001]. Results have revealed that application of Entonox relieves the pain of the active phase of labor more satisfactory than TENS. The two mentioned ways left no negative or harmful impressions on the fetus and mother. Further studies in order to compare Entonox with other pain relieving techniques are recommended

[Comparing between subjective wellbeing of fertile and infertile women referring to health care and infertility centers in Tehran 2003]

Background: infertility is one of the important problems in reproductive health recognized by WHO. Although, it is not a disease, it can cause significant emotional disturbances

Purpose: This comparative descriptive study was performed to determine and compare the subjective wellbeing of infertile women referring to health care and infertility centers in Tehran

Method: A questionnaire consisted of two parts including demographic characteristics and subjective wellbeing [on the basis of Diner questionnaire] was used. 62 infertile women from Shariati Hospital, Mirza Koochak khan Hospital, as well as Sarem medical center, and 63 fertile women from health care centers of the same hospitals as well as Leylat-Al-Ghadr center were selected. The two groups were matched in terms of significant variables of the research

Findings :Results showed no significant difference in terms of age, native language, education, occupation, education and occupation of spouse, economic status, and period of marriage. In addition, there was no significant difference in subjective well-being of both groups with acceptables scores

Conclusion: Individuals with high scores of wellbeing experience positive emotions, while those with low scores suffer from negative feelings such as anxiety and depression. Providing mental health is crucial as a socioeonmical and health mission in our country