BACKGROUND: Menopause is associated with decreased sexual activity and a feeling of decreased attractiveness and sexual potency. This study tested the hypothesis that sexual health in postmenopausal women is not the same as nonmenopausal women with regard to symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 health centers in Shiraz between April and September 2015; 310 postmenopausal women included by convenient sampling. Data were collected through the Female Sexual Function Index, and depression anxiety stress scale 21 questionnaires. Analysis performed using SPSS version 22 and included descriptive statistics, Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and Pearson correlation and linear regression; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The percentage of women with sexual dysfunction in the present study was 88.7%. There was a significant relationship between stress (p = 0.04), anxiety (p = 0.01), and sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant relationship between depression (p = 0.003) and sexual dysfunction. Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was an inverse relationship among stress (−0.24), anxiety (−0.25), depression (−0.30), and sexual function. In addition, linear regression results showed that depression was the most important factor in the description of sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there is an association of the status of mental health and sexual function in post-menopausal women. However, more studies should be carried out to find the confounders.

Background: Busy care providers focus on the serious complications of postpartum period. This issue causes the seemingly trivial complications, such as mother's pains, fatigue, and psychological status, to be less taken into account. The study aimed to determine the effect of lavender oil aroma in the early hours of postpartum period on maternal pains, fatigue, and mood in primiparous mothers. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 56 participants; 29 in intervention group and 27 in control group. The intervention group received lavender oil in three doses during the first 24 h after delivery. Sesame oil was used in the control group. Intensity of pain, fatigue, and distress level was measured by visual analog scale before and after the interventions. Besides, mood status was assessed through the positive and negative affect schedule. Results: The mean age of all the participants was 23.88 ± 3.88 years. After the first intervention and also in the tomorrow morning assessment, significant differences were found between the two groups regarding perineal pain (P = 0.004, P < 0.001), physical pain (P < 0.001), fatigue (P = 0.02, P < 0.001), and distress scores (P < 0.001). In addition, significant differences were found concerning the mean scores of positive (P < 0.001) and negative (P = 0.007, P < 0.001) moods between the two groups after the interventions. Repeated measures analyses showed that the two groups were significantly different over time in all the evaluated variables. Conclusions: Lavender oil aromatherapy starting in the first hours of postpartum period resulted in better physical and mood status compared to nonaromatic group.

BACKGROUND: Unwanted pregnancy has affected different aspects of our life. Researchers point out if a child’s birth is unwanted, an increase in maternal issues can be observed. The aim of this study was to describe the women’s viewpoints regarding unwanted pregnancy. METHOD: This qualitative study using content analysis was employed in Shiraz University in 2013-2014. 20 women with unwanted pregnancy were chosen using purposeful sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and trustworthiness of them was evaluated. RESULTS: Findings of this study, according to the participants’ experience, revealed maternal emotions like embarrassment for getting pregnant, mother’s own negative affection, concerns about missing family and other children, and terminating the pregnancy through illegal abortion, the husband’s disagreement about the termination, blaming themselves for thinking about abortion or illegal abortion, and concern about their guilt feeling. Another finding was family problems like husband’s behavior and his negative outlook towards his child and fetus. The next category belonged to anxiety about the future of their child, including economic, social and relational problems, and suppression of the children’s logical expectations. The last finding was the lack of maternal emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: Unwanted pregnancy’s effects on the mothers and infants’ health are considerable. A closer observation by family and health care providers for unwanted pregnancies and its results is recommended; therefore, they should be taken care of as high risk pregnancies, requiring family support.

Background: According to traditional herbal medicine, chamomile has been considered as one of the herbal remedies for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study aimed to investigate the effect of chamomile on lipid and hormonal parameters in women of reproductive age with PCOS. Materials and Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial which was conducted on 80 women (40 patients in each group) of childbearing age with PCO. The intervention group received 370 mg oral capsules of chamomile three times a day for 3 months. The control group did receive starch capsule (three times a day). Hormonal and lipid parameters were examined before and 3 months after the intervention. Results: The mean age of the patients was 22.40 ± 5.10 and 24.38 ± 6.14 years in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Decreased level of testosterone was observed in the intervention group (in women with PCOS) who received chamomile capsules (P = 0.017). A significant difference was not seen in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P = 0.249), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.073), triglycerides (P = 0.603), the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P = 0.423), and the ratio of luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH) in the experimental and control groups after the intervention (P = 0.420). Conclusion: According to the findings, oral administration of chamomile capsule caused a significant decrease in total testosterone levels in these patients. However, no significant change was reported with lipid parameters, the ratio of LH/FSH, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level.

Background: Anxiety is among the most common pregnancy complications. This study was conducted to examine the impact of religious teaching on anxiety in primiparous mothers referring to the selected perinatal clinics of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on the pregnant women in 20–28 weeks of gestation referring to the selected clinics of Tehran University of Medical Sciences from July 2013 to June 2014. The subjects were selected through simple random sampling and divided into religious education and control groups. To assess the individuals, a demographic questionnaire, an anxiety trait State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a religious knowledge and attitude trait (pre- test and post-test and 1 or 2 months after the test) were filled in by the two groups. Training classes (religious knowledge and attitude trait) for the cases were held in 6 weeks, and the sessions lasted for 1½ h. Results: The knowledge and attitude scores showed significant differences in the controls and cases after the intervention (P = 0.001) and 2 months after the study (P = 0.001). According to the results of independent t-test, a significant difference was found in the state anxiety score (P = 0.002) and personal score (P = 0.0197) between the two groups before the intervention; however, the results were strongly significant different after the intervention and 2 months after the study (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: The improvement in the mothers' knowledge and attitude in religious subjects will reduce anxiety in primiparas.