ABSTRACT
Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most common disorders in women that is associated with social and economic consequences. In general, this disorder imposes direct and indirect costs on the economy of various societies. This review aimed to investigate pelvic floor dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this narrative review, the published articles on pelvic floor dysfunction were examined in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar. We searched for terms related to polycystic ovary syndrome and pelvic floor dysfunction. Inclusion criteria of this research were observational, experimental, and review studies. In this investigation, the complications associated with polycystic ovary syndrome were examined as risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction. In this narrative review, we discuss about changes in hormone levels, obesity and overweight, hormonal medications and complications such as diabetes and metabolic disorders and obstetric complications of PCOS can be involved in the pathophysiology of pelvic floor dysfunctions, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women with PCOS. This review highlights knowledge gaps about protective effect of hyperandrogenism on pelvic floor dysfunction as well as destructive effect of metabolic changes on pelvic floor dysfunction in women with PCOS. Further cohort and prospective studies are recommended in women with PCOS to investigate the concept of pelvic organ dysfunction in these women.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer has a high prevalence and mortality, while early diagnosis greatly reduces its complications. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors affecting the screening of cervical cancer. Studies have shown that health locus of control plays an important role in beliefs about screening. This study aimed to identify the correlation between health locus of control and beliefs about Pap smear among women. METHODS: This was a descriptive study which was conducted cross-sectionally. It was conducted on 250 married women who had the inclusion criteria and attended health centers selected by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Oct. 2017 to February 2018 (a period of 5 months). Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire, multidimensional health locus of control scale, and the Pap Smear Belief Questionnaire (PSBQ). Data analysis was carried out through SPSS (v.17) using statistical tests including correlation and regression. The significance level was considered 0.05. RESULTS: Among the participants, 50.8% never had a history of undergoing a Pap smear test. The mean scores for the internal health locus of control (IHLC), chance health locus of control (CHLC), and powerful others health locus of control (PHLC) were 22.59±5.32, 22.84±4.65 , and 24.54±4.28, respectively. The total score for the Pap smear belief had a significant positive correlation with two dimensions: IHLC (r=0.209, P=0.001) and PHLC (r=0.216, P=0.001). In addition, based on the results of the linear regression analysis, the scores of IHLC (R2=0.03, P=0.004), PHLC (R2=0.036, P=0.003), and CHLC (R2=0.16, P=0.04) were the predictors of the total score for the Pap smear belief. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that all dimensions of the health locus of control were the predictors of belief in women's Pap smear screening. It is necessary that health care providers hold programs for health locus control of cervix cancer prevention in Iranian women.
