Tattoos, piercing, and sexual behaviors in young adults.

INTRODUCTION: Body piercing and tattooing are accepted by a growing number of teenagers and young adults as a way of self-expressing. Some authors suggest association between body piercings/tattoos and early sexual initiation, higher number of sexual partners, or risky sexual behaviors. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate sexual behaviors among young adults with body modifications (BMs)--tattoos and piercings. METHODS: One hundred twenty young healthy adults, ages between 20 and 35, were included in the population study. The study group was divided into three subgroups: controls (N = 60), adults with tattoos (N = 28), and adults with piercings (N = 32). The research instrument was a self-prepared questionnaire containing 59 questions assessing socioepidemiological parameters, sexual behaviors, incidents of sexual harassment in the past, and self-attractiveness evaluation, as well as questions concerning tattoos and piercings. Socioepidemiological variables and sexual behaviors were compared between subgroups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To assess and describe the correlation between having BM--tattoos and piercing--and sexual behaviors in the population of young adults by using the logistic regression model. RESULTS: Adults with BMs have had their first intercourse statistically earlier and were more sexually active compared with controls. There were no statically significant differences in sexual orientation, sexual preferences, engaging in risky sexual behaviors, frequency of masturbation, and history of sexual abuse between the groups. In contrast, the frequency of sexual intercourses was statistically higher and oral sex was more likely to be a dominant sexual activity in adults with BM compared with controls. The multivariate logistic model revealed that adults with BM were four times less likely to participate in religious practices and twice more likely to have early sexual initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Having BM is associated with early sexual initiation and more liberal attitudes toward sexual behaviors but not with engaging in risky sexual behaviors.

Diabetes mellitus and sexuality--does it really matter?

INTRODUCTION: The extent to which diabetes may influence sexuality has not yet been established. Identifying the risk factors of female sexual dysfunctions will facilitate the introduction of effective therapeutic models that aim to normalize the glycemic control and will enhance sexual functioning. AIMS: To evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus on female sexual functions, behaviors and depressive symptoms as well as to establish the predictors for female sexual dysfunctions in diabetic subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To asses reported female sexual dysfunctions by using Female Sexual Function Index in diabetic females. METHODS: A total of 544 females living in the upper Silesia region aged 18-55 years old were eligible for this questionnaire-based, retrospective, cross-section study. The study group included females with diabetes mellitus (N = 264), regardless its type and duration; healthy non-diabetic subjects were controls. The Blatt-Kuppermann Index was used to evaluate climacteric symptoms, the Back Depression Inventory-to screen for depressive symptoms and the Female Sexual Function Index-for sexual dysfunction in female (FSD). RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression revealed that the risk of desire and arousal dysfunction was lower in respondents for whom having a satisfactory sexual life was extremely important compared to those for whom it was slightly important or not important at all (referent) (OR: 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Respondents highly satisfied with sexual contacts with their partner were at lover risk of desire, arousal, and orgasmic disorders and FSD compared to referent subjects (OR: 0.12; 0.03; 0.01 and 0.03 respectively). Depressive symptoms were associated with higher prevalence of arousal disorders and FSD (OR: 13.6 and 3.57, respectively), diabetes-orgasmic dysfunctions (OR = 10.1). CONCLUSIONS: In women, the presence of diabetes is an independent predictor of orgasmic dysfunctions. However, the presence of depressive symptoms, individual perception of sexual needs and partner-related factors are stronger predictors of female sexual dysfunctions.

[Fetal pulmonary artery blood flow depending on fetal lung maturity]. / Analiza przeplywu krwi w tetnicy plucnej w zaleznosci od stopnia dojrzalosci pluc plodu.

The ultrasonographic assessment of fetal lung maturity by evaluating the elasticity of lung tissue, Dynamic Lung Score (DLS) has been being performed since 1986 in ObGyn Department in Tychy (Medical University of Silesia). The lung elasticity is evaluated on the cross sections of fetal thorax, on the level of heart ventricles. The result of the evaluation is given as the three degree scale, in which I degree indicates the lack of elasticity and fetal lung immaturity, II degrees indicates partially expressed elasticity, corresponding with incomplete maturity of lung tissue, and III degrees represents full elasticity and indicates complete maturity of fetal lungs. This study was designed to compare fetal pulmonary artery blood flow with the maturity of fetal lung tissue evaluated during the ultrasonographic assessment of fetal lung tissue elasticity. The examination was performed on pregnant women, beginning on 27th week gestation. During the examination the mean Pulsatility Index was decreased, particularly in fetuses with II degrees lung maturity. The Resistance Index (RI) was found to be stable and independent of gestational age. In the group with I degree lung maturity (DLS I), the mean PI = 2.643 (+/- 0.229), mean RI = 0.879 (+/- 0.036), in DLS II group PI = 2.039 (+/- 0.262), RI = 0.868 (+/- 0.037), and in DLS III group PI = 2,500 (+/- 0.100), RI = 0.900 (+/- 0.100). Comparing the ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal lung maturity with fetal pulmonary artery blood flow allows more accurate assessment of fetal lung maturity. Fetal lung maturity can not be evaluated univocally on the basis of blood flow assessment. Because of the divergence of blood flow parameters further studies including bigger population seem to be necessary for verification of the results and for establishing the reference values.

[Prevention of premature birth in the population of pregnant women in Silesian region]. / Profilaktyka porodu przedwczesnego w populacji kobiet ciezarnych województwa slaskiego.

A great number of premature deliveries is one of the main problems in present-day perinatology. Although the ability of premature babies to survive has increased, they are vulnerable to many complications. Statistical data showed that the grade of premature deliveries and related complications in Silesian region is one of the highest in our country. Therefore, it is necessary to offer the intensive and systematic health care for pregnant women and establish the prophylactic programme for premature deliveries. The aim of this article is to evaluate the level of knowledge, skills and motivation to follow the prophylaxis directions among pregnant women.

[Prevention of intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse]. / Profilaktyka seksualnego wykorzystywania dzieci w rodzinie.

At work we took up the matter of sexual harassment of children in the family. We presented the history of incest contacts, reasons, conditions causing incest, the perpetrator, his methods and kinds of his actions.We took into consideration description of victims, physical and psychological symptoms of sexual harassment and its effects. We paid attention to effective methods of prevention of incest behavior, diagnostic actions taken in order to confirm any offence and therapy of victims emphasizing role of health service staff.

[Prevention of abortion]. / Profilaktyka aborcji.

At work the subject of abortion has been taken up. We took into account the history of this phenomenon, medical and legal aspects. We showed the reasons for abortion. We analysed abortion: permitted by law and illegal. We paid a lot attention to preventive actions taken in order to prevent women and families from harmful consequences of abortion.

[Selected aspects of diagnosis and treatment of transsexualism in Poland]. / Wybrane aspekty diagnozy i leczenia transseksualizmu w warunkach polskich.

Transsexualism is a form of sexual identity disorder. In this disorder sexual identification psychological level is inadequate to biological level. One man out of 30000 and one woman out of 100000 ones is transsexual. The etiology of transsexualism has not been known yet. The treatment is complex and a cooperation of the specialist team is necessary. An operation is a second step after the diagnosis of transsexualism (psychological, psychiatric and sexological), hormonal therapy end Real Life Test. Follow-up therapy with the psychologist and supportive therapeutic group is extremely important after the operation.

[Assessment of mass-scale primary prevention of nervous system defects]. / Ocena skutecznosci masowej profilaktyki pierwotnej wad cewy nerwowej.

Nervous system defects are one of the main reasons of neonate mortality in Poland. In reply to that fact a special program for prophylaxis of nervous system defects was established in 1998. It includes three activity fields for women at reproductive age. These are following: propagation of nourishment rich in vitamin B and folic acid, recommendation for the day-to-day taking of 0.4 mg folic acid, improvement of the nutritive food value by adding such nutrients as folic acid. The aim of this article is to evaluate the efficiency of the prophylaxis of the nervous system defects.

[Evaluation of medical instructions designed by hospitals for expectant mothers]. / Ocena edukacji zdrowotnej ciezarnych prowadzonej przez personel medyczny.

The proper prenatal care decreases the risk of morbidities and complications during the pregnancy. The high level of the gestational knowledge supplied to woman and her family, permits to recognize the signs of threats and immediately go to a specialist and get proper help. A women consciousness of the proper gestation hygiene simplifies to avoid the risk of fetal development disorders. Because of this, the medical personnel is obligated to promote good behaviors adequate for that period. The pregnancy is a condition in which the salubrious promotion is most effective because at this time women and their families are disposed to change the wrong health behavior. The object of the study was to assess the health education process among pregnant women. One hundred women after the delivery was examined by means of self-created questionnaire. None of the required issues was properly discussed with the pregnant women.

[Analysis of women nutritional status during pregnancy--a survey]. / Analiza sposobu zywienia kobiet ciezarnych w badaniach ankietowych.

The proper diet is one of the most important factor during pregnancy. The general knowledge about proper nourishment during pregnancy allows the women to avoid quantitative and qualitative nourishment mistakes. Because of this--the salubrious education in this aspect is very important. The aim of the study is to analyze the proper nourishment during pregnancy particularly in professionally active women and those who don't work during pregnancy.

[Husband's presence at childbirth in light of obstetric psychoprophylaxis]. / Uczestnictwo meza przy porodzie w aspekcie psychoprofilaktyki polozniczej.

Contemporary obstetric psychoprophylaxis gives prospective parents wide opportunities to prepare to the pregnancy period and delivery. It is educationally-minded and points the importance to modify the life style, introduces exercises accompanied by the relative during the pregnancy and delivery. The survey portrays husband's--child father's role in obstetric psychoprophylaxis. The importance to continue the psychoprophylaxis in the delivery room was spotted in the survey, too. The continuation might be reached by close relative's presence.

[Sexual behaviors of pregnant women]. / Zachowania seksualne kobiet ciezarnych.

Pregnancy and childbirth are both the part of woman's sexual life. Changes occur in every trimester of pregnancy have significant influence on the sexual behaviours. The purpose of our monograph was the analysis of behaviours of pregnant women. We comprised intensity and effectiveness of the sexual relations in each trimester of pregnancy. We analysed life circumstances affects on the sexual behaviour (own bedroom) and sexual life in every trimester of the pregnancy in compliance with: libido, prevalence of orgasm, sensitivity and erotic imaginations. The inquiry concerned the sexual positions preferred by pregnant women too. We paid respect on the subjective attractiveness evaluation in pregnancy and on fear of sex in pregnancy. We found some differences in every trimester of pregnancy refer to libido and orgasms frequency with particular reduction of these phenomenon's in third trimester. The increase of both: sexual imaginations and fear for sex was found. The fear for sex in pregnancy mainly concerns the appearance of bleeding or miscarriage.