Aim:  To estimate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in Iranian women and investigate associated risk factors. Material & Methods:  In a cross‐sectional study in Tehran, Iran in 2007, 381 women (81% response rate, age 16–56 years) were selected through a stratified random sample of 22 different districts and completed a questionnaire about dysmenorrhea. Descriptive statistics, spearman rank correlation statistic, and ordinal logistic regression models were used. Confounding and effect‐modification were explored for each association. Results:  The prevalence of no, mild, moderate, and severe menstrual pain was 10%, 41%, 28%, and 22%, respectively. Older age and high intake of fruits and vegetables were protective factors for menstrual pain while women with family history of dysmenorrhea, higher stress and depression tended to have more severe pain. Body mass index, parity, smoking, and physical activity were not significantly associated with dysmenorrhea after controlling for potential confounding factors and effect modifiers. Conclusion:  Menstrual pain is a common complaint in Iranian women. The inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and dysmenorrhea, and reduction of stress and depression need to be further explored and considered in terms of recommendation to reduce dysmenorrhea.

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Background. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common infection. The aim of this study was to identify the species of vaginalCandidaisolates by using multiplex PCR technique.Methods. 191 isolates from patients admitted to Mahdieh hospital were identified. The vaginal swab specimens were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. The ITS1 region between the 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes and a specific DNA fragment within the ITS2 region were amplified. The multiplex PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel, visualized by staining with ethidium bromide, and photographed. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Spearman correlation were used to summarize the findings.Results.C. albicansandC. glabratawere the most common species isolated from the specimens. A mix ofC. glabrataandC. albicanswas the most common mixed infection isolated from the samples. The analysis revealed a significant positive association between older age and infection withC. glabrataisolates (Spearman’s rho = 0.89,P=0.015).Conclusion. Multiplex PCR is a fast, yet reliable method to identifyCandidaspecies.C. albicansand thenC. glabrataare the two most common causes of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The number of mixed fungal infections is higher among Iranian population compared to international reports.

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