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Background & Objective: Osteoporosis is a serious public health concern known to have several etiologic factors. This study compared lifestyles among postmenopausal women with normal and abnormal bone marrow densitometries (BMD).

Methods & Materials: In this case-control study, 81 postmenopausal women (33 cases with abnormal BMD and 48 control individuals with normal BMD) were selected using simple random sampling from Osteodensitometry center of Shariati hospital in Tehran. The BMD at lumbar spine and femoral neck had been measured with DXA. The Lifestyle was assessed using a questionnaire containing items about taking calcium, vitamin D, hormones, and Alendronat, doing physical activity, consuming tea and cola, and smoking. Reproductive characteristics were also collected via a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using χ2 test and independent sample t-test. Crude and adjusted odds ratios and relevant 95% confidence intervals were calculated through logistic regression, using SPSS v.13.

Results: The results showed significant differences between two groups in weight (P>0.001), BMI (P=0.022), number of pregnancies (P=0.002), number of children (P=0.004), duration of lactation (P=0.0002), dietary calcium intake (P≤0.001), and period of calcium supplement intake (P=0.002). The average of acquired scores of lifestyle factors in the case group was significantly lower than the control group (P=0.037). Inappropriate lifestyle had increased risk of the disease (OR=3.36, 95%, CI: 1.10-10.26). Meanwhile in the multivariate analysis, only insufficient intake of calcium was found to be a risk factor (P=0.002) for osteoporosis.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study showed positive effect of calcium intake on bone mineral density.

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Background & Objective: It is essential to conduct studies on factors related to obesity in both reproductive ages and menopausal period. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of general and android obesity and to assess determinants of overweight in pre- and post-menopausal women.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional, random survey of households, about 610 women 20-65 years were recruited. Data were collected via interviews with the participants. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured as well. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and the waist to hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Overweight and general obesity were defined as 25≤BMI<30 and BMI≥30, respectively. Android obesity was defined as WHR≥0.85.

Results: The prevalence of overweight and general obesity was 90.6% in the premenopausal women and 72.6% in the post-menopausal women. About 75% and 41.9% of pre- and post-menopausal women had android obesity, respectively. Low literate post-menopausal women had significantly more general and android obesities. In addition, postmenopausal women with more parity had more android obesity. Pre-menopausal women with low literacy and housewives had significantly more general and android obesities. In addition, pre-menopausal women with more parity had less general obesity and more android obesity. In these women, android obesity was increased with age and decreased with physical activity.

Conclusion: The prevalence of general and android obesities was high in Islamshahr women, especially in the post-menopausal women. This result indicates that the women have potential risks for various diseases.

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Background & Aim: Lack of orgasm during intercourse and loss of libido in menopause is very common and can reduce women's quality of life. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Aphrodite on orgasm and sexual desire in postmenopausal women.

Methods & Materials: The study design was a randomized clinical trial with a control group. Participants were comprised of 80 postmenopausal women 50-60 years old. The instruments consisted of the demographic characteristics form and the Sabbatsbergsexual function scale that a part of itevaluates orgasm and sexual desire. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and independent t-test were used to analyze data through SPSS software v.16.

Results: The mean score of orgasm before intervention in the Aphrodite group was 30.25±20.6 and in the placebo group was 29±21.9. One month after intervention, this score increased to 41.12±10.08 in the Aphrodite groupand was 29.12±29.66 in the placebo group, that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.02). As well, for the sexual desire score, there was a significant difference between the two groups of Aphrodite and control after intervention (P=0.008).

Conclusion: The use of Aphrodite can improve sexual desire and orgasm in menopausal women. So, it is essential that healthcare providers be familiar with this herbal supplement.

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Background & Aim: Menopause has been recognized as a critical stage in women’s life. Menopausal symptoms and problems can affect women’s health and well-being. Health promoting behaviors may be useful in alleviating these symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of couple counseling on severity of menopausal symptoms in women.
Methods & Materials: In a quasi-experimental study, 80 women with their husbands were selected by the convenience sampling method from health care centers in Zahedan in 2017, and were assigned to either experimental or control group. The data gathering tool included a demographic questionnaire and Menopuse Rating Scale questionnaire. Couple counseling for the intervention group was conducted in four 60-minute sessions. Data were collected before and 12 weeks after the intervention, and analyzed by independent and paired t-test, analysis of covariance and χ2 using the SPSS software version 21.
Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic variables, but the mean of score changes for menopausal symptoms in the intervention group was -1.42±1.95 and in the control group was -0.10±1.10. The independent t-test showed a significant difference in the mean of score changes for menopausal symptoms in the two groups (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: Given that couple counseling has a positive effect on severity of menopausal symptoms in women, it is suggested that this counseling strategy be integrated into healthcare programs for menopausal women.
 

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Background & Aim: Perimenopause is associated with severe changes in reproduction and hormones. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of group counseling on the severity of menopausal symptoms in the transition to menopause.
Methods & Materials: This clinical trial study was performed on ninety perimenopausal women in Javanrood city in 2019. Women were randomly assigned into the intervention or control groups using the block randomization method. Counseling was conducted for the intervention group in groups of 11 to 12 people in four 60-minute sessions for four consecutive weeks. After 8 weeks, the severity of menopausal symptoms was measured using the Menopause Symptoms Scale. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 21.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of menopausal symptoms scores before the intervention (P=0.86). After the group counseling, the median (Q1, Q3) of menopausal symptoms, physical, mental and genitourinary symptoms in the intervention and control groups were 17.0 (15.0, 21.5) and 21.0 (17.0, 30.5) (P<0.001), 6.0 (5.0, 8.0) and 9.0 (6.5, 11.0) (P<0.001), 6.0 (5.0, 8.0) and 8.0 (5.0, 10.0) (P=0.004), and 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) and 6.0 (5.0, 8.5) (P<0.001), respectively. These values for the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group.
Conclusion: Providing group counseling for four sessions was effective in reducing the severity of menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women. Therefore, it is suggested that this strategy be used to promote women's health in the premenopausal period.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20120215009014N320
 

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Background & Aim: Anxiety is one of the most important psychological problems during the menopausal period. Anxiety can affect the health and quality of life of postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of viola odorata syrup on anxiety among postmenopausal women.
Methods & Materials: This study is a triple blind clinical trial that was performed on 84 postmenopausal women referred to health centers in Mashhad in 2019. In both groups, postmenopausal women received 5 ml of viola odorata or placebo syrup twice a day for one month. Before and after the intervention, anxiety was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale-21. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 25 and Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in women’s anxiety levels between viola odorata group and placebo group, and the two groups were homogeneous (P=0.084). After the intervention, there was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.004). The corrected average was 3.61±3.02 (2.9-4.2, CI95%) for the violet group and 7.63±3.60 (6.9-8.3, CI95%) for the placebo group. Also, after the intervention the anxiety score decreased in the viola odorata group, and increased in the placebo group. The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, viola odorata syrup decreased anxiety in postmenopausal women. Therefore, it can be used as a complementary treatment along with chemical therapies to reduce anxiety in postmenopausal women.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20180514039660N1
 

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Background & Aim: Osteoporosis is a common problem in menopausal women, and adopting preventive behaviors is crucial in addressing this issue. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) on promoting osteoporosis-preventive behaviors in menopausal women.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study with a control group was conducted on 64 menopausal women referred to Urmia urban health centers in 2023. Participants were selected using random sampling and then randomly allocated into two groups: control (32) and intervention (32). The data collection instruments included questionnaires comprising demographic information, knowledge assessments, Health Belief Model constructs, food frequency, and physical activity items. Following pre-test evaluations and needs assessment, a training program was designed and delivered to the intervention group. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26.
Results: The mean scores for knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, and cues to action in the intervention group significantly increased compared to both the pre-intervention assessment and the control group. Conversely, there was a significant decrease in the mean score for perceived barriers (P<0.05). These changes resulted in a significant increase in the mean score for osteoporosis preventive behaviors within the intervention group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Education based on the HBM has been effective in shaping the knowledge and health beliefs of menopausal women concerning osteoporosis and its preventive behaviors. Therefore, it is recommended that health educators incorporate the approaches and findings of this study when developing educational interventions related to osteoporosis.