مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 791 (هفته سوم دی 1403)

Female circumcision can be associated with unfavorable health outcomes, including physical, psychological, social, and sexual consequences. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of circumcision and its predictor factors on sexual performance, life, and satisfaction of women.

The present study was a cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study of 320 women referred to the childbirth ward in 2019-2020. It was done using the available sampling method. Information was collected through questionnaires and interviews. The data collection tool was a 4-part questionnaire that included a researcher-made questionnaire, sexual questionnaires, and sexual quality of life. After collecting the data, they were analyzed using ANCOVA, a simple and multiple linear regression.

The mean score of sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and quality of sexual life in two groups (circumcised and uncircumcised women) showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Also, the mean score in all dimensions of sexual function was significant in two groups (desire (P < 0.001), stimulation (P < 0.001), humidity (P < 0.001), orgasm (P = 0.002), satisfaction (P < 0.001), pain (P = 0.049), respectively). The rate of sexual dysfunction in circumcised women was 83.9%, and in uncircumcised women was 71.6%. According to the coefficient effect in covariance analysis, 5, 7, and 13% changes in sexual satisfaction, sexual quality of life, and sexual function in women were related to circumcision, respectively. Also, the age of circumcision has the most outstanding effect and is a significant predictor of sexual satisfaction (β: 1.51; P: 0.018; CI95%: 2.77 to 0.26) and quality of sexual life (P: 0.027; CI95%: 0.12 to 2.06). The degree of circumcision 2 compared to 1 has the most distinguished effect and predictor on the overall sexual function score (β: 2.87; P: 0.018; CI95%: -0.22 to -5.52) and its dimensions.

The findings of the present study showed a decrease in the sexual satisfaction action and quality of life scores in circumcised women, and by emphasizing the negative consequences of circumcised women's sexual health, it tried to inform healthcare providers about counseling to change the views of families to improve women's sexual health.

One of the side effects of radiation therapy for non-laryngeal head and neck cancers is laryngeal damage, leading to vocal disorders. Considering the impact of voice on the patient’s quality of life, the long-term follow-up after treatment using a voice handicap index questionnaire is the aim of this study.

This descriptive-analytical study included 30 patients with non-laryngeal head and neck cancers and 30 normal individuals. Specialized examinations have confirmed damage in the larynx. The VHI Questionnaire sub-group scores were assessed at 6 and 24 months post-treatment, along with the voice quality of patients and a control group at 24 months post-treatment. Pearson's correlation coefficient test was used to assess the relationship between each sub-group of the questionnaire at the two mentioned time points.

The patients' examination results revealed a significant decrease in the total questionnaire scores from 19.8 at 6 months to 11.37 at 24 months post-treatment (P < 0.05). The study found no significant difference between the patient and control groups after 24 months (P < 0.05). The questionnaire sub-group scores showed a negative correlation, indicating a trend of decreasing scores at the final follow-up.

This study showed that after the treatment, the radiation damage decreased over time and improved the patient's quality of life.

Eccentric quasi-isometric training (EQI) is a new method of resistance training. This study is the first to analyze the long-term impact of EQI training on steroid hormones in inactive men compared to traditional resistance training.

36 young inactive men were selected voluntarily and randomly divided into three groups: EQI training, traditional resistance training, and control. The conventional and EQI resistance training groups performed the exercise program with an intensity of 60-85% of one repetition maximum for six weeks and three sessions per week. Blood sampling was done in a fasting state 48 hours before the first session and 48 hours after the last session. Steroid hormones were measured using the ELISA method. Two-way mixed ANOVA and LSD post hoc tests were used for data analysis.

The time x group interaction results indicated that the sex hormone-binding globulin (P = 0.002), dehydroepiandrosterone (P = 0.003), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P = 0.002) levels had a significant difference. Between-group results showed that EQI and traditional resistance training groups increased steroid hormones compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both training groups had a significant increase in steroid hormones compared to the pre-test (P ≤ 0.05).

The present study findings demonstrated that both EQI and traditional resistance training can improve steroid hormones, but there was no difference between the two types of resistance training. Therefore, according to the principle of training diversity, EQI training can be a suitable alternative to traditional resistance training.