[In vitro diagnostic criterion of androgen excess in polycystic ovary syndrome: a community based study on Iranian reproductive aged women]

Backgrounds and Objectives: Androgen excess is a diagnostic criterion for PCOS. There are different cut off points to identify androgen excess in various societies. Since the mean levels of androgens among women of various races vary widely, it has been suggested that the normal ranges or limits of androgen levels should be determined specifically among well-characterized women of each population

Materials and Methods: Data from the study of PCOS prevalence was analyzed for purpose of the present cross sectional study. The cut off point for androgen excess was defined using K-means cluster analysis according to the level of androgens among 923 women aged 18-45. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 15

Results: Serum concentration levels of early follicular phase equal or greater than 8.76, 1.331 nmol/L, 345.07 and 2.9 ng/milL for FAI, TT, DHEAS and A4, respectively were used as cut off levels for androgen excess. Subgroup analysis showed that androgen excess cut off point varies in age and BMI subgroups. FAI cut off for androgen excess in women aged less than 35 years were 5.1, 4.85 and 6.3 in normal weight, over weight and obese women, respectively

Conclusion: According to the findings of present study hormonal components to define androgen excess vary in early and late ages of reproductive period. Results showed that androgen excess is diagnosed as lower levels of FAI, DHEAS and A4 in women older than 35 in comparison with women aged less than 35. This disorder should also be determined in normal weight, overweight and obese women separately

population-based study on infertility and its influencing factors in four selected provinces in Iran [2008-2010]

Background: Infertility has a varied impact on multiple dimensions of health and functioning of women

Objective: We aimed to identify the burden of infertility and its influencing factors based on a population based study conducted in four provinces of Iran

Materials and Methods: A sample of 1126 women, aged 18-45 years, was selected using the multi stage, stratified probability sampling procedure; those met the eligibility criteria were invited for further comprehensive interview. This study used the definition of infertility proposed by World Health Organization "the woman has never conceived despite cohabitation and exposure to pregnancy for a period of 1 year"

Results: The overall prevalence of lifetime infertility and current primary infertility were 21.1% [95% CI: 18.4- 23.8] and 6.4% [95% CI: 4.8-8] respectively. The probability of first pregnancy at the end of 2 years of marriage was 94% for all ever-married women. Infertility were observed as significantly higher among women age 31-35 [OR: 4.6; 95% CI: 1.9-11.5; p=0.001] and women with more than 9 years of education [OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5-3.3; p<0.0001]

Conclusion: The necessities of modern living have compelled many women to postpone childbearing to their late reproductive years; however they must be informed of being at risk of infertility with ageing

Relationship between polymorphism of insulin receptor gene, and adiponectin gene with PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is a complex disease having both genetic and environmental components and candidate genes on obesity and insulin metabolism have been hypothesized to be involved in its etiology. We examined the possible association of adiponectin and insulin receptor gene polymorphisms with PCOS. A total of 186 women with PCOS using NIH criteria and 156 healthy women were recruited. Their samples were genotyped for the polymorphism in exon 17 and 8 of the insulin receptor gene or exon and intron 2 of the adiponectin gene. The distributions of genotypes and alleles of both polymorphisms were not different in women with PCOS and controls. There was no significant differences on the anthropometric and hormonal profiles of various adiponectin and insulin receptor genes polymorphisms among both groups. Adiponectin and insulin receptor gene polymorphisms are not associated with PCOS in a sample of Iranian population

Sexual behavior of married Iranian women, attending Taleghani public health center

Sexual practices as an important aspect of reproductive health have many physical and psychological effects on people's lives, there is limited evidence on such practices and their pattern among Iranian women. Hence we aimed to determine different types of sexual practices among 19-45 year old married Iranian women. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 married women, aged 19-45 years, attending Taleghani Public Health Center for annual gynecologic examination during November 2008 to May 2009 using convenient sampling. The participants were enquired about their experience regarding different types of sex, as well as their views and feelings about such practices, using an anonymous questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 34 years. All had ever experienced vaginal sex and 50.9% reported ever experience of other types of sex [non-vaginal], as well. Due to some stigma attached to non-vaginal sexual practices among women in Iran, the feelings of women with regard to different sexual practices were also examined in this paper. This study showed that non-vaginal sex among women is considerable and because of less favourable views of women towards such practices, it seems that these practices might have psychologically impacts on women's life. Hence, counseling and educational programs designed for married men and women can include some factual information about different types of sex

Evaluation of sexual attitude and sexual function in menopausal age; a population based cross-sectional study

Menopause and its physical, hormonal and psychosocial changes could affect women's sexual function. There are controversial results regarding relationship between sexual attitudes and function. We aimed to evaluate sexual attitudes and sexual function among Iranian menopausal age women. This population based cross-sectional study was carried out on 225 menopausal women, aged 45-65 years. Based on a self-made questionnaire data were collected about women's socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes regarding sexuality and sexual function. Data were analyzed using SPSS and sexual function was compared between three groups of women who had positive, medium and negative attitudes regarding sexuality. The mean age of women was 53.11 +/- 4.56 years. Seventy percent of them had at least one sexual problem. Feeling of dyspareunia was significantly different between three categories of attitudes regarding sexuality [p=0.03]. Comparing data obtained on their attitudes, sexual desire, orgasm and dyspareunia demonstrated significant differences [p=0.03, 0.04, and 0.04 respectively]. Attitude regarding sexual function has a great impact on sexual activity of postmenopausal women that need to be considered in their health care programming

[Examination of sexual behavior patterns in married woman aged 19-45 who come to Taleghani Health Center, Tehran, Iran]

Objective: To determine sexual behavior patterns in married woman with 19-45 ages who com to Taleghani heath center, Tehran, Iran

Methods: A cross-sectional study with a total of 200, 19-45 years old women who came to Taleghani health center was performed. Sampling was as simple method. A designed questionnaire administered for data collection. Content validity and Choronbach's Alpha were utilized for examination of validity and reliability respectively. Questionnaires were completed through interview. Then the data were analyzed using SPSS 15

Results: The mean age and marriage age in women was 34.08+/-7.04 and 20.73+/-3.9 years respectively. 24.5 % of them had anal sex and 23.5 % had oral sex. There were a significant relation between asked and acceptance of oral and anal sex [P<0.00]. Most of them have more than one behavior in one sexual episode

Conclusion: There are Non-vaginal sex in some women of society that can lead to some physical problems such as urinary tract infections, genital infections and sexually transmitted and can had negatively psychologic load on women. Hence, advice and education on sexual health in the community seems to be necessary

Association between infertile women's anxiety with art success rates

Anxiety increases blood cortisol and prolactin concentrations which may lead to infertility, but in contrast lower anxiety levels may help natural fertility. However, there is not much evidence that lower anxiety levels may lead to higher success rates in Assisted Reproductive Techniques [ART] among infertile women. This study aimed to determine the association between infertile women's anxiety and ART success rates. This cohort study was done on 180 infertile women who enrolled as candidates for ART. The cases were recruited in their last visit before starting the treatment cycle by quota sampling in two select infertility treatment centers in Tehran, Iran. The individuals' anxiety was assessed by using State and Trait Anxiety Inventories. They were allocated to high and low anxiety groups according to the achieved scores of 20-49 and 50-80, respectively. A positive pregnancy test was considered the criterion for treatment success. The individuals' state and trait anxiety scores were 47.33 +/- 10.6 and 43.89 +/- 9.8, respectively. Nineteen [10.6%] out of 180 women became pregnant. Pregnancy rates in the group with high and low levels of state anxiety were 11.1% and 10.1% and in groups with high and low levels of trait anxiety they were 14.5% and 9%, respectively. Pregnancy rates between high and low state or trait anxieties were not significantly different [p>0.05]. There were no relationship between infertile women's state and trait anxiety status with assisted reproductive technology outcomes. The results of this study can ensure infertile women that their anxiety would not affect their treatment success rates, although counseling and reducing infertile women's anxiety are necessary to improve their quality of life

Life experience with infertility; a phenomenological study

In most cultures, fertility has a great social value and parenting aones own biological child is considered the most basic motive in the process of human life. On the other hand, infertility could lead to a destructive emotional experience. According to the World Health Organization [WHO], about 80 million people in the world live with infertility. Infertility has a negative influence on the lives of both genders and predisposes them to emotional and psychological burdens. Physical, mental and economic challenges may affect young couples during infertility treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the in-depth life experience of infertile couples. This qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted on 11 purposively selected couples attending the outpatient department of Reproductive Health Research Center at Taleqani Hospital on August-December 2008. The interviews were carried out to explore life experiences of the infertile couples who were under infertility treatment process. The data were generated from taped interviews and the researchers' observational field notes. The data were analyzed according to the procedure outlined by Colaizzi. Interviews were categorized by examining the participants' interview transcripts and identifying significant statements and meanings. Themes emerging from the statements were identified, and cross-case comparisons were made to confirm or modify them. Six key themes followed by eleven sub-themes emerged from the data. The results showed that infertility, affects emotional and sexual relationships of infertile couples. The couples' relationship with family members and relatives is affected when they realize about their problem. Sometimes the infertile couples resort to unusual and non-medical treatment options when their expectations form the medical team are not met. Thematically, infertility could deeply affect infertile couples' entire life. More widespread use of midwifery and psychological counseling services at infertility treatment centers seem to be of help to infertile couples and their relatives