ObjectiveSexual function is an important part of each human being's personality and in the general couple relationship, with an obvious impact on quality of life and safe sexual performance during pregnancy is important for couples. The objective of this study was to assess effects of pregnancy on sexual function of couples.MaterialsIn a prospective cohort study 123 couples were enrolled in the study when women were first diagnosed to be pregnant. During their pre-natal visits, Sexual function of couples was evaluated using the Iranian Version Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in men and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in women in three trimesters. Statistical analysis was performed.ResultsIndices of sexual function showed significant regressions over time during pregnancy. The greatness of the problem was highest during the third trimester. Female sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction domain scores had the major correlation to IIEF total score. On the other hand, male intercourse satisfaction domain score had the maximum correlation to FSFI total score. A strong correlation between male and female sexual function was observed.ConclusionSexual function is a widespread problem during pregnancy among Iranian couples. Therefore, pregnant women and their husbands need counseling about healthy sexual function in pregnancy.

BackgroundAntenatal anxiety may have long-term negative effects on pregnancy outcome. Antenatal anxiety can also be detrimental to maternal health during pregnancy. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between pregnancy-specific anxiety and preterm birth in pregnant women.MethodsThis prospective cohort study was conducted on 208 pregnant women who were referred to the prenatal clinic of Al-Zahra hospital in Rasht. Sampling was conducted through convenient (simple) method. Data gathering tools were a demographic characteristics questionnaire and pregnancy-specific anxiety scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. General Linear Model (GLM)-Repeated Measures test were used to study variations in anxiety along pregnancy period and tested levels of significance among inter-trimester anxiety scores.ResultsResults of the study showed that change in pregnancy-specific anxiety is significantly associated with preterm birth among participants in this study. Second trimester pregnancy-specific anxiety was not associated with preterm birth, but third trimester pregnancy-specific anxiety was associated with preterm birth.ConclusionAccording to the results of this study, third trimester pregnancy-specific anxiety was associated with preterm birth. Therefore, the health care providers should pay special attention to pregnancy-specific anxiety.

BackgroundUnconsummated marriage is a problem among couples who would not be able to perform natural sexual intercourse and vaginal penetration. This disorder is more common in developing countries and sometimes couples would come up with non-technical and non-scientific methods to overcome their problem. Multi-dimensional approach and narrative exposure therapy used in this case.MethodsThis study would report a case of unconsummated marriage between a couple after 6 years. The main problem of this couple was vaginismus and post-traumatic stress.ResultsTreatment with multi-dimensional approach for this couple included methods like narrative exposure therapy, educating the anatomy of female and male reproductive system, correcting misconceptions, educating foreplay, educating body exploring and non-sexual and sexual massage and penetrating the vagina first by women finger and then men's after relaxation. The entire stages of the treatment lasted for four sessions and at the one-month follow-up couple's satisfaction was desirable.ConclusionUnconsummated marriage is one of the main sexual problems; it is more common in developing countries than developed countries and cultural factors are effective on intensifying this disorder. The use of multi-dimensional approach in this study led to expedite diagnosis and treatment of vaginismus.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) encompasses a vast array of physical and psychological symptoms. Of the herbal supplements mentioned for remedy PMS symptoms, chamomile used as an effective herbal medicine.

Objectives: Sexual behavior is considered an important aspect of marital life and is influenced by attitudes, experiences, actions, feelings, and thoughts. The present study aimed to develop a valid and reliable questionnaire to evaluate several aspects of sexual behavior of infertile women (SBIW). Materials and Methods: The current mixed sequential exploratory study was performed in two phases. In the qualitative phase, a preliminary questionnaire was developed based on in-depth interviews with 15 childless women and 8 specialists who were selected by purposeful sampling technique. In addition, qualitative and quantitative SBIW questionnaire was measured by internal consistency and test-retest. Results: In the qualitative phase, a primary questionnaire including 113 items was constructed. Finally, the items of the questionnaire were reduced from 113 to 77 items. The SBIW questionnaire was classified into 5 categories investigating the effects of infertility diagnosis, infertility treatment, common beliefs, sexual response cycle and related factors, and the women’s husbands, relatives, family, community, and education on sexual behavior of these infertile women Further, each investigator could use each part he wished to. S-CVI (sum of content validity index) and S-CVR (sum of content validity ratio) were obtained as 0.86 and 0.68, respectively. Eventually, the Cronbach α = 0.862 and the ICC (intraclass correlation) was obtained 0.928 for the SBIW. Conclusions: In general, it was identified that the SBIW is a valid and reliable instrument which can be used to assess several dimensions of SBIW and is probably considered a useful instrument during infertility consulting and investigations.