[Comparison of efficacy between herbal capsule of anise and mefenamic acid on after-pain]

Background: postpartum after pain relief is effective in convenience of the mother and improve her interaction with the newborn. One of the ways of pain relief is using herbal medicines

Objective: this study was conducted to compare the effect of mefenamic acid [the common pain reliever] and anise capsule on postpartum after-pain

Methods: in this clinical trial, a randomized, double-blind study was conducted. The sample included 96 Mothers in the state of two hours after their vaginal delivery. Their intensity of the pain was between moderate and savior. Women were entered into two groups of mefenamic acid and anise capsule. The capsules were used 4 times a day [each 6 hours one capsule]. The pain intensity was evaluated before intervention and one hour after each intervention by the visual analogue scale [VAS]. Data was analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Scientists [SPSS version 17]

Results: the two groups were matched in the number of parity and intensity of the pain before intervention. Results revealed that the Reduction of the pain was significantly higher in the anise capsule group [P<0.05]. Reduction of the pain had no relation with the number of parity [P>0.05] and both mefenamic acid and anise capsule consume the same time to effect

Conclusion: the anise capsule is effective in order to relief postpartum after-pain

[Prevalence of sexual violence among infertile women attended to 2011. Tehran of infertility centers]

Violence is a global problem. More than 1.6 millions of people worldwide lose their lives because of violence every year. Also, many others are injured and suffer from physical, sexual, reproductive and mental problems. 10-69 percent of women experience of physical violence and over 30-50 percent of them experience sexual violence. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and the factors associated with sexual violence against infertile women attending to infertility centers in Tehran, Iran. In this cross sectional / descriptive study 400 infertile women attending to infertility centers in Tehran were included. The samples of the study were selected by purposive sampling method. A questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire consisted of demographical characteristics of infertile women, demographical characteristics of husband, The questionnaire of sexual violence that has happened in the last 3 months and Questionnaire of general health. To analyze data, descriptive statistics, Spearman test, one way analysis of variance and SPSS 17 software were used. Age of women was 30. 50 +/- 6. 16. Prevalance of sexual violence was 47. 3%. Sexual violence was significantly associated with income, unwanted marriage ,using drugs and opium and evaluation of total physical health of women and ethnicity, smoking and addiction or drug abuse, mental diseases of the husband and threatened to divorce before treatment, general health status and number of sexual intercourse [P < 0.05]. One of the main purposes of marriage in developing countries is fertility. Infertile women try many methods of infertility treatment, loneliness and harsh treatment of infertility and sexual and marital problems may be the most important predisposing factor for mental disorders and violence. Factors influence the incidence of violence, smoking, use of drug and physical and mental illnesses. Coping strategies, defining marriage goals, knowledge about infertility treatments, women's empowerment, intimate relationships can help infertile couples and lessen violence

Influence of premenstrual syndrome on energy and nutrient intake

Premenstrual syndrome is defined as repetition of physical, psychological and behavioral changes during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle which interfere with daily activities and interpersonal relations. In fact, This syndrome is one of the most common problems of females in their productive ages. Having this syndrome may changes energy and macronutrients Intake around the menstruation time. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of premenstrual syndrome [PMS] in energy and macronutrients intake of female students of nutrition and food industrial faculty in Tehran, Iran. A cross sectional design was used. The sample of the study consisted of 92 female students in nutrition major. Data were collected by using 5 questioners [Demographic status, primary diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome, menstrual calendar, Beck test and food recall] which were completed by self-report. The diet records were analyzed for total energy and macronutrients. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 statistical software. We found that 58.7% of participants suffered from premenstrual syndrome. In affected group the average intake of energy and macronutrients was significantly greater in luteal phase compared to follicular phase [P<0/05]. Also there was a significant difference in the average of energy and carbohydrate intake between 2 groups in the follicular phase which was statistically significant for fat intake between 2 groups in the luteal phase [P<0/05]. There was no difference in the average intake of energy and macronutrients between 2 phases in non PMS group. Energy and macronutrients intake in cases suffering from PMS was higher in luteal phase compare to follicular phase

[Self-treatment with drugs during gestation]

Pregnancy due to its nature is associated with some problems, which may increase the need for drugs. Drug self-treatment can cause severe complications and lack of information of mothers concerning the indications of drugs may have detrimental effects on family as well as society. This descriptive study was conducted to identify knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women regarding self-treatment with drugs in health care settings affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University in 2006. 180 pregnant women referring to healthcare centers were selected in 2 steps by cluster sampling method. The stage of their gestational period was not important. An information form was used for data collection. Findings showed that 98.3% of women knew the forbiddance of chemical drugs during pregnancy without prescription. 70.6% agreed chemical drug prescription by a professional. Of 180 women, 100 [55.5%] took chemical drugs during their pregnancy and 97.8% used the drugs by prescription. 11.1% took herbs by prescription while 84.2% used them without prescription and by recommendation of their acquaintances or their own views. 4.7% took herbs by suggestion of herbalists. It can be concluded that despite good knowledge of women about indications of chemical drugs, their information regarding herbs is not satisfactory. Therefore, developing appropriate educational plans in media, healthcare settings and prenatal clinics to improve their knowledge seems necessary

[Correlation between intensity of fatigue with pregnancy outcome]

Fatigue is one of the pregnant women prevalent complaints during pregnancy. Physical, psychological and situational factors predispose the women to fatigue. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between intensity of fatigue and pregnancy outcome. In this analytical-descriptive study, a total of 180 pregnant mothers who had characteristics of survey units were selected by multistage sampling. They completed questionnaire from 32 week of gestation up to labor pain. Then, they were divided into 3 groups of mild, moderate and severe base on their fatigue scores. Age and birth weight determined with questionnaire and checklist and correlation between intensity of fatigue and delivery type, age and weight in birth with statistical tests were calculated. Based on the results, the frequency of mild, intermediate and intensive fatigue in the women were 37.77%, 35%, and 27.22%, respectively. The intensity of fatigue was correlated with delivery type [P<0.05, OR=1.07], neonatal age at birth [P<0.001, r=0.470] and birth weight [P<0.001, r=0.911]. Fatigue in pregnant women is a main problem and has undesirable effects on its outcome. Therefore, attention to train and interventional care for reduction of fatigue is suggested

[Comparing ginger with mefenamic acid and ibubrofen for the treatment of primary dusmenorrhea]

Primary dysmenorrhea is a frequent entity with known side effects on life quality. Ginger has been shown to inhibit prostaglandins, thus, the present study was designed to compare ginger with mefenamic acid and ibubrofen for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in a group of students in dormitories affiliated to Isfahan and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. For this double-blinded clinical trial, 150 students with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled. Subjects were matched according to dysmenorrheal severity, then, assigned in 3 equal groups of ginger [250mg], mefenamic acid [250mg], and ibubrofen [400mg] that were all prescribed 4 times a day for 3 days. Groups were matched according to the following criteria: age, age of menarche onset, weight, height, BMI, father's position, maternal occupation and level of education, regular exercise, and duration, interval and amount of menses' bleeding. Finally, verbal multidimensional scoring system was used to assess the efficacy of drugs on dysmenorrhea. ANOVA and chi square were used for data analysis. Dysmenorrheal improvement did not differ significantly among ginger [64%], mefenamic acid [58%] and ibubrofen [66%] groups. Thus, ginger is as effective as mefenamic acid and ibubrofen in alleviating dysmenorrheal symptoms. Ginger is an effective drug for alleviating primary dysmenorrheal symptoms

[Alterations in sexual functioning of infertilized women referring to selected hospitals of Tehran city in 2005]

Surgical sterilization [tubectomy] with low failure rate [0.4%] is the most common contraceptive method. Surgical sterilization effects unisexual satisfaction. The effect is probably and primarily behavioral due to lake of fear from unwanted pregnancies, and change in body image and feminity. Determining sexual satisfaction of sterilized women referring to selected hospitals in Tehran. 106 volunteer women for contraceptive surgery selected by stratified sampling participated in this descriptive study. Data collection tool included an interview form. The tool was validated by content validity and its reliability was measured by Cronbach test. Data analysis was performed by Pearson, Paired t- and Mann-Whitney U tests and ANOVA. Findings showed that mean age of women was 33.7 +/- 4.2.Most subjects were illiterate and mean number of their children were 3.2 +/- 0.9. Mean percentage of sexual satisfaction before 60.1 +/- 20.5 and after 64.5 +/- 21.5 surgery revealed a significant difference. Findings showed no significant relation between sexual satisfaction and demographic variables. Sexual satisfaction may improve after surgery. The effect is probably and primarily behavioral due to lack of fear for unwanted pregnancy

Ginger for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is quite a common compliant with known side effects. Prior investigators have reported the efficacy of ginger in this regard, thus, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of ginger in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.For this clinical trial 67 consecutive parturients who had nausea and vomiting were selected. Cases were similar according to the age, gestational age, parity, occupational status, and educational level. Having matched them according to the compliant severity and gestational age, they were assigned randomly in 2 groups [32 as cases and 35 as controls]. Cases received ginger 250mg/qid for 4 days, however, controls received placebo with the same regimen. Effects of ginger was evaluated twice a day for 4 days.The mean age of the cases and controls was 24.1 +/- 4.8 and 23.3 +/- 5 years, respectively. The mean gestational age was 13 +/- 3 weeks, and the mean parity was 1.6 +/- 0.8. Cases have shown better response to the regimen [85% vs. 56%, p < 0.01]. Number of vomiting was much fewer in case subjects [50% vs. 9%, p < 0.05].Ginger could improve the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy