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Introduction: stress in the natural reflection of living creatures against internal and external motivations while stress hormones are secretion through cardiovascular, every production, and security systems. Some stress producing factors are muscular activities, anesthetics, surgery, starvation, water deprivation, etc. Thus, we studied effect of prenatal water deprivation stress on hormone level and sexual dimorphic nucleus in male rats. Materials and methods: In an experimental design, adult female and male Wistar rats (180 gr) acquired from Pastor institute and were coupled. Pregnant rats were divided randomly into control and experimental groups. Both groups were maintained under a controlled temperature (20±2°C) and photoperiod (13:11h, light: dark) conditions. Controlled group had food and water available ad lib, but experimental group had access to food and were deprived of water from the beginning of third week of pregnancy to the end of week. At 42 days at birth, male rats were slight anesthetic in order to prepare the blood and morphometric evaluations. Results: Plasma testosterone average level in experimental group was less than controlled groups (p<0.001), while in the comparison between experimental and controlled groups, progesterone indicates significant increment (p<0.001). There is no statistically significant regarding Estradiol level between both groups. Historical study indicated that the decreased size and number of neurons of MPO and Sch nuclei were significant in experimental compared to controlled ones. Conclusion: Prenatal water deprivation through affecting MPO and Sch nuclei, approximate inhibition of nuclei and decrease in secretion of Testosterone cause the emergence unusual sexual behavior and similar female sexual behaviors in male experimental rats in the postnatal and maturity.

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Introduction: Sexual instinct which is the cause of numerous changes in one’s life could be influenced by numerous factors such as menopause and aging. This study was focused on comparison of women’s sexual functioning disorders before and after menopause. Materials and Methods: This is an analytic cross sectional study in which data related to before and after menopause sexual activities of 174 married women (living with their spouses), referring to health centers in Isfahan in 2003 was collected and investigated. Data was collected by a self constructed sexual dysfunction inventory in which reliability and validity were reached by content validity and α chorenbach index. Findings were analysed through descriptive and inferential (MC-Nemar) statistics. Results: Findings showed that relative frequency of sexual functioning disorders in productive period was 38% and in menopausal period 72.4%. There was a significant association between sexual functioning disorders before and after menopausal period (P < 0.001). Frequency distribution of sexual functioning disorders in productive period of these women according to severity of disorders were: sexual desire disorder (49/2%), dyspareunia (34/3%), arousal dysfunction (26/8%), orgasmic dysfunction (23/8%), and vaginismus (16/4%). Frequency distribution of sexual functioning disorders in menopausal period of these women were: arousal dysfunction(75/3%), sexual disire disorder (62/6%), orgasmic dysfunction (56/3%), dyspareunia (34/9%) and vaginismus (15/8%).
Conclusion: As revealed by the findings of the study,a high percentage of women experience sexual functioning disorders in productive and menopausal periods. Menopause can be a cause to occur, or continue these disorders. The role of health care professinals in conselling and education is emphasized.

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Background: Clinical research suggest a relationship between epilepsy and hypogonadism. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of epilepsy induced by kindling with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on hormones and some reproductive parameters in male rats. Materials and Methods: Adult male rats (NMRI strain) were divided into control and kindling groups. Kindling was induced by 40 mg/kg PTZ with a 48 hour interval through intraperitoneal injection. Each animal received 13 doses. At the end of the thirteenth dose, animals were weighed and uthenaized with ether and blood samples, collected from their hearts, were used for testosterone, prolactin and FSH, LH assay. In order to examine motility and morphology of sperms, tissue samples from epidydimis were isolated and minced in DMEM/F12 culture medium and were incubated for 15 minutes. Then sperm morphology and motility were studied. Testis were also isolated and weighed. Results: Kindling with PTZ decreased serum levels of testosterone and LH, but it increased rolactin. However, there was no difference in serum level of FSH between the two groups. Sperm motility in kindling group decreased significantly. There were no significant differences in testis weight, but the amount of animal weight losses in the kindling group was more than that of the control group. Conclusion: By changing the serum level of sexual hormones and decreasing sperm motility, PTZ kindling induced epilepsy exerts diminishing negative effects on reproduction.

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Background: Sex life is one of the most important aspects of quality of life which is affected by a multitude of factors which can disrupt it. This study compares the effects of two different hormonal therapeutic regimens on sexual performance of postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 111 healthy postmenopausal women with no absolute contraindication for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were divided into two groups that received GI-Tibolone 2.5mg/day (N=57) and GII-continuous conjugated estrogen (CE) 0.625mg/day plus medroxyprogestrone acetate (MPA) 2.5mg/day (N=54) for six months. At baseline and after 6 months of treatment, blood samples were collected for determining sexual hormones level. Sexual function was assessed by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using Spss 16. Results: Of all the participants, 45 women in the tibolone group and 32 women in HRT completed the study. Compared with the baseline values, the tibolone group significantly improved on all the six FSFI domains however, in the HRT group, just two of the six domains, lubrication and pain, got improved. The increase in mean total score and the score of each domain of FSFI except for satisfaction domain in the tibolone group was significantly greater than the HRT group (p<0.05). In the tibolone group, testosterone (p=0.003), FTI (p=0.002), and FEI (p=0.021) increased in comparison to the baseline, whereas SHBG decreased (p<0.001). In GII group, SHBG (p=0.001) significantly increased and tibolone was tolerated better than HRT. Conclusion: In post menopausal women, tibolone is more effective than HRT in improving sexual function scores, especially the desire, arousal, and orgasm domains. Its side effects are also much more acceptable.

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Background: Mother and newborn's health is one of the important indexes in health services of every country and one of its main assessment indexes is the number of normal deliveries in each country. Identifying the effective factors in labor helps the right selection of patients the process of delivery. The main goal of this study was to assess the association between fetal sex and unsuccessful labor process which result in cesarean section. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 1537 pregnant women admitted for delivery to Taleghani Hospital of Arak during 6 months. Data were catch through a check list consisting of obstetric history, physical examination, labor process, and lab tests coupled with interview and observation. The results were analyzed through Chi2, chance ration analysis, and t-test. Results: Of the 1537 pregnant women, 74% had normal delivery and 26% underwent cesarean section. Of all infants, 35.1% of those delivered by normal vaginal delivery and 13.4% of those delivered by cesarean section were male sex while 38.9% of the infants in the normal delivery group and 12.6% of those in the cesarean group were female. These results did not show any association between fetal sex and type of delivery. Overall, 36.5% of the deliveries done through cesarean section were due to dystosia (18.1% male and 18.4% female) (P=0.934). Also,14.3% of the newborns delivered through cesarean sction due to fetal distress were male and 10.8% of them were female (P=0.162) while 10.5% of newborns delivered through cesarean section due to meconium were male and 8.5% of them were male (P=0.359). Conclusion: It appears there is no association between fetal sex and labor disorders which result in cesarean section.

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Background: Sexual dysfunction is a common, progressive disorder which is related to age and it affects the quality of life and sexual and interpersonal relationship. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between self-esteem and sexual dysfunction and satisfaction in women who referred to the health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytic) study was done on 120 women referring to the health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences that met the inclusion criteria. Data collection tools were demographic, GHQ-28, Kovair Smith, and FSFI questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16). Results: The overall incidence of sexual dysfunction was 64% and the greatest frequencies were related to pain and sexual satisfaction 37% and 20%, respectively. Also, 90% of the subjects had high self-esteem and the rest 10% had low self-esteem. There was a significant relationship between self-esteem and sexual dysfunction (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed a significant relationship between self-esteem and sexual dysfunction and satisfaction in women, especially in those with low self-esteem that presented greater sexual dysfunction and satisfaction.

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Background:Noticing the side effects associated with chemical drugs, using natural medicinal plants has gained more prominence recently. Physalis alkekengi extract is a medicinal plant belonging to Solanaceae family which similar to most drugs used in traditional medicine, despite possessing a multitude of medicinal properties, has not received sufficient attention. The aim of the present study was to briefly review the effects of Physalis alkekengi extract on the concentration of thyroid hormones, blood cholesterol, some plasma biochemical factors, liver function, immune system, and sexual hormones. Due to the extensive usage of Physalis alkekengi extract in traditional medicine, determining its advantages and possible side effects is of great physiologic and pharmacologic significance. Physalis alkekengi extract due to the presence of such effective substances as alkaloids, lycopene, glucocorticoids, alcoholic agents, and a large amount of vitamin C as well as antioxidant properties can play a significant role in changes in body homeostasis. This study dealt with the function and effect of Physalis alkekengi extract on different body organs through using proper keywords and extensive online search through electronic databases and credible sources. The results of this mini-review showed that Physalis alkekengi extract can bring about various significant changes in different body organs that have not been properly recognized. Therefore, further and more extensive studies should be done on this plant.

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Background: Aging in men is characterized by a progressive, moderate decrease in plasma testosterone. However, the associations of partial androgen deficiency of the aging male with clinical symptoms are controversial. This study investigates the association between the androgen deficiency symptoms (based on ADAM questionnaire) and sex hormone levels in men over 40 years old. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 171 healthy men over 40 years old. Demographic data and ADAM questionnaire were completed by each patient. Also, serum levels of free testosterone, estradiol, LH, and FSH were determined using the ELISA method. The data was analyzed by Chi-squared, Mann-whitney U test and Logistic Regression Test. Results: Based on ADAM questionnaire, 85 patients (49.7%) had androgen deficiency symptoms, and there was a significant relationship between these symptoms and age. However there was no significant correlation between the total score of the questionnaire with sex hormones, and only sexual symptoms were significantly associated with low testosterone levels. Conclusion: It seems that the clinical symptoms of androgen deficiency cannot precisely predict the levels of sex hormones in elderly men. Nevertheless, hypogonadism diagnosis can be clinically suspected when symptoms of sexual dysfunction are present

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Background: One of the most common problems in Menopausal women is reduce of sexual satisfaction, which can affect their quality of life. The aim of the present study was the effect of Afrodit on sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal women.

Materials and Methods: In the triple blind clinical trial with the placebo group participated 80 healthy females 50-60 years that were referred to health centers affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups, Afrodit groups and placebo capsules for a month. Used tool in this study was Sabatsbrg. Part of which was to assess sexual satisfaction.

Results: After a month intervention, there is significant difference in the mean score for sexual satisfaction between two groups (p=0.01), Sexual satisfaction compared with pre-menopausal in two groups were compared. T-test results showed no significant difference. (p=0.16).

Conclusion: The results show Afrodit improves the sexual satisfaction in menopausal women. So it is essential that health providers are familiar with this herb supplement.

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  Background: Mandibular premolars, because of high anatomic variations, are among the most difficult teeth for root canal treatment.The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars between males and famales in an Iranian population applying CBCT imaging.

  Materials and Methods: In this analytical-cross sectional study, 230 CBCT imaging belonged to 115 males and 115 females were evaluated in this study. Images were assessed in the three spatial planes and the difference in the number of canals and roots were compared and reported statistically. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17 software and Chi-square test.The significance level was set as p<0.05.

  Results: In total, of 460 mandibular first premolars, 85.7% had one root, 14.3% had two roots, 63.9% had one canal and 36/1% had two canals. In comparison between two genders, in the males the prevalence of one root was 78.7%, two roots 21.3%, one canal 60% and two canals 40%. In the females, the prevalence of one root was recorded as 92.6%, two roots 7.4%, one canal 67.8% and two canals 32.2%.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study the number of roots in the mandibular first premolars in males was statistically more than in females.

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Background: There are numerous negative side-effects of child sexual abuse such as post- traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. The purpose of this study is the use of Specific Recall Training on depression and anxiety in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by Sexual Abuse.

Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design and with a control group.34 children with post-traumatic stress disorder caused by sexual abuse were selected by available sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group was educated over 7 sessions of 1.5 hours by Specific Recall Training method. To collect data, the Spence children's anxiety questionnaire and children's depression questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS-20 software and multivariate analysis of covariance method.

Results: The findings showed that specific recall training, significantly reduce depression and anxiety scores. In follow up, the pre-test effect, the long term effect of treatment on depression was observed (F=5.943, p=0.021), but it can't effectively reduce anxiety.

Conclusion: The results showed that specific recall training was effective on depression and anxiety in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by sexual abuse. Therefore, counselors and therapists can use this method for the treatment of children with mentioned disorder.

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Background: Considering the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in females with OCD and its impact on marital satisfaction, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sexual function and marital satisfaction in a group of female OCD patients.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 36 females with OCD, referred to the clinic of Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital (related to Tehran University of Medical Sciences) and 3 private offices in Tehran, were selected by random sampling and completed questionnaires including: demographic FSFI, BDI-II, MOCI, OCI-R and researcher-developed marital satisfaction questionnaire.

Results: 80.6% of women reported sexual dysfunction. The results of studying sexual function questionnaire subscales was as following: 50 % low sexual desire, 58.3 % low sexual arousal, 36.1 % decreased lubrication, 44 % orgasmic disorder, 52.8 % sexual pain disorder and 41.7 % sexual dissatisfaction. Furthermore, statistically significant correlation was found between sexual dysfunction (total score and arousal, lubrication, pain and satisfaction subscales) and marital dissatisfaction. Studying the relation between obession(MOCI questionnaire) and marital satisfaction revealed that the correlation between washing subscale of MOCI and marital dissatisfaction was also significant while there were not any significant correlation between obsession (OCJ-R, MOCI) and sexual function (FSFI).

Conclusion: High prevalence of sexual dysfunction in OCD patients, significant relationship between obsession and marital satisfaction, and sexual function and marital satisfaction could demonstrate relationship between sexual function, OCD and marital satisfaction.

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Abstract

Background: Family is the most important component of community and family health leads to spiritual excellence and intellectual growth. One of the debates in current society is to enhance the bases of marital life. More than half of the sexual problems which cause family life and marital relationships abolishment are due to insufficient knowledge or erroneous beliefs about sexual relationships. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of acceptance commitment therapy (ACT)-based premarital counseling on the couples’ sexual function.

Materials and Methods: The study population of this clinical trial consisted of all couples referring to premarital counseling centers of Isfahan in 2015. Sixty couples were selected and then randomly divided into two groups, an experimental group(30 couples) and a control group(30 couples). Then they completed a questionnaire of sexual function. The data were analyzed by SPSS 21 using the Mann-Whitney test.

Conclusion: The results of this study with the aforementioned condition showed the lack of significant difference in the couple’s sexual function between premarital counseling and the approach based on acceptance and commitment. So, it seems that performing a research with more samples and a target group having 1-5 marital experience would be necessary.

Results: The results showed no significant difference between the effect of premarital counseling acceptance and commitment therapy – based approach on the couples’ sexual fanction in comparison with a premarital conventional approach(p>0.02).

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Abstract

Background: The incidence of gastric cancer is different in two sexes with ratio 2 to 1 that it is more common in men. The most important biologically reason is sexual hormones between two sexes that lead to sexual dimorphism and in turn can cause a sex bias in incidence of disease between two sexes. Recently, studies have shown that microRNA is involved in sexual dimorphism in gene expression. Given the sexual dimorphism in the incidence of gastric cancer and sex hormones response elements in the regulatory regions of miR-146a and miR-148a genes, in this study, the expression of these two genes in the stomach of healthy men and women at different age groups were compared.

Materials and Methods: Using endoscopy, gastric antrum tissues of 35 healthy women and 35 healthy men were collected. After RNA extraction and synthesis of cDNA, the expression of miR-146a and miR-148a genes were compared between sexes by Real time RT-PCR and data were analyzed using independent sample t and ANOVA tests.

Results: There was no difference between men and women in genes expression of miR-146a and miR-148a. However, expression of miR-146a gene was significantly more in men under 45 years than men over 45 years (p= 0.017, df= 14,  t= 1.47). Also,  expression of miR-148a gene was significantly more in men over 45 years than men under 45 years (p=0.001, df= 12, t= 1.28). But the expression of both genes had no significant difference between women under 45 years and women over 45 years.

Conclusion: Expression of miR-146a and miR-148a genes in the stomach is increased and decreased with aging in men, respectively.

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Background and Aim: The quality of sexual satisfaction of couples plays an essential role in marital dissatisfaction; therefore, sexual satisfaction training can be effective in reducing this marital problem. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of sexual satisfaction model training on reducing couples’ distress among couples referring to counseling centers.
Methods & Materials: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and a control group design. The statistical population of the study included all couples referring to counseling centers in Sanandaj City, in the academic year of 2019-2020. The instruments used in this research were Couple Burnout Measure (CBM). After selecting the sample and randomly forming two groups of 30 experimental and control groups, a pretest was conducted on the study groups. The researcher provided eight 90-minutes training sessions to the experimental group as a model of sexual satisfaction. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by Ethics Committee of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUK.REC.1397.5037). 
Results: The current research results revealed a significant difference (P≤0.001) between the experimental and control groups concerning marital boredom (F=35.581) and its dimensions, including physical fatigue (F=25.074), emotional exhaustion (F=39.031), and mental exhaustion (F=35.020); the effect of the educational program was equal to 0.42, 0.31, 0.41, and 0.39, respectively.
Conclusion: The present study findings indicated that sex education model training was effective in reducing couples’ referrals to counseling centers.

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Introduction: Sexual problems are prevalent problems among women that affect different aspects of their lives. Counseling in the early stages can solve many of their problems. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of group counseling based on reality therapy on female sexual function.
Methods: The present clinical trial study with a control group was conducted in Arak City in 2016. A total of 40 women were selected from five healthcare centers according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly divided into two groups experimental and control. The experimental group received counseling sessions of reality therapy (8 sessions, each 90 minutes, twice a week), and the control group received no intervention. Data collected included demographics and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, completed before and four weeks after the intervention.
Results: The mean scores for sexual function in intervention and control groups were
28.63 ± 2.21 and 27.14 ± 2.58 before the counseling, showing no significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.5). But after reality therapy, the values significantly changed in the intervention group (30.29 ± 2.92 vs. 27.64 ± 2.58) (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Counseling based on reality therapy was found effective in improving sexual function in women. Therefore, it is recommended that this method be used in healthcare centers.