Age-specific serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels: estimates from a large population-based sample.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the wide use of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) measurement as a clinical marker for assessment of ovarian reserve, a population-based estimate for its reference values is not available. In this study, we have estimated age-specific AMH levels in a large sample of fertile women directly selected from a general population cohort. METHODS: All women who were naturally fertile and aged 18-50 years with regular menstrual cycles were selected from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study cohort and their blood levels of AMH were measured. Centiles for AMH distribution were estimated according to the exponential-normal 3-parameter model. We repeated the analysis after including a subgroup of women aged 40-50 years who met all the eligibility criteria except having entered natural menopause after age 40 years (n = 141). RESULTS: A total of 1015 women entered the study. The mean age was 36.7 years (standard deviation 7.5 years) and the mean body mass index was 27.0 kg/m(2) (standard deviation 4.6 kg/m(2)). A non-linear decline of serum AMH concentration with age was observed. Age-specific AMH levels for the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles were calculated. RESULTS: were reproduced after inclusion of 141 women aged 40-50 years who met all the eligibility criteria except having entered natural menopause after 40 years. CONCLUSION: In this study, we have presented a nomogram of age-specific estimates of anti-Müllerian hormone in a large sample of naturally fertile women within the general population. This could help clinicians in more accurate individual interpretation of serum AMH levels in healthy women.

Menarcheal age of mothers and daughters: Tehran lipid and glucose study.

There is some evidence for a decreasing age of menarche in many populations. This study examined the secular trend of age at menarche among Iranian women. Age at menarche based on recall information was recorded for 770 pairs of mother and daughters. Between 1930 and 1990 mean menarcheal age of this cohort of women decreased from 13.88 to 12.98 years (-0.15 years per decade) and mean height of the cohort increased from 152.33 to 158.43 cm (+0.99 cm per decade). There was a significant correlation between menarcheal age of mothers and their daughters (r = 0.27). Year of birth, mother's menarcheal age and daughter's height were significant predictors of daughter's menarcheal age.

Menarcheal age of mothers and daughters: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

There is some evidence for a decreasing age of menarche in many populations. This study examined the secular trend of age at menarche among Iranian women. Age at menarche based on recall information was recorded for 770 pairs of mother and daughters. Between 1930 and 1990 mean menarcheal age of this cohort of women decreased from 13.88 to 12.98 years [-0.15 years per decade] and mean height of the cohort increased from 152.33 to 158.43 cm [+0.99 cm per decade]. There was a significant correlation between menarcheal age of mothers and their daughters [r = 0.27]. Year of birth, mother's menarcheal age and daughter's height were significant predictors of daughter's menarcheal age

Reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of Iranian college students.

To study reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of youth in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1111 university students completed a questionnaire with 43 closed questions. The overall mean knowledge score was 54%. Knowledge of males and females, and of married and single students, was similar. Of 664 students answering questions about reproductive health behaviour, 54 (8%) reported having sexual intercourse before marriage; 16% of males and 0.6% of females; 48% of them had used condoms. The majority of students believed that the risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections was moderate but that youth had a low ability to practise healthy behaviour. The majority believed in the benefits of reproductive health knowledge for youth but felt that services were inadequate.

Reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of Iranian college students

To study reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of youth in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1111 university students completed a questionnaire with 43 closed questions. The overall mean knowledge score was 54%. Knowledge of males and females, and of married and single students, was similar. Of 664 students answering questions about reproductive health behaviour, 54 [8%] reported having sexual intercourse before marriage; 16% of males and 0.6% of females; 48% of them had used condoms. The majority of students believed that the risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections was moderate but that youth had a low ability to practise healthy behaviour. The majority believed in the benefits of reproductive health knowledge for youth but felt that services were inadequate

Factors influencing contraceptive use in Tehran.

BACKGROUND: Despite reluctance to conceive, approximately 30% of couples do not use any method of contraception. Health concerns, side effects, failure of the method and some demographic issues such as education, age, residential region and number of living children have a major effect on contraceptive use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine those factors which influence contraceptive use in Tehran. METHODS: Data from the project "The Study of the Effectiveness of Postpartum Consultation about Family Planning on Contraceptive Practice during 2 years after Parturition in University Hospitals of Tehran in 1996" were applied for the analysis of those factors which influence contraceptive use by Iranian couples. A total of 4177 women of reproductive age who gave birth in one of the 12 hospitals in Tehran during the 24 hours following the interview of the initial study and had at least one living child were enrolled in the present study. The questionnaire used included some questions about socio-demographic status, fertility history, knowledge of contraceptives and the source of this knowledge, and previous contraception practice and its effectiveness. RESULTS: Using a logistic regression model, it was found that age, women's level of education, their husbands' level of education and previous familiarity with contraceptive methods were the most significant factors influencing contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that health policy makers strengthen the family planning services through providing appropriate counselling in family planning clinics.