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INTRODUCTION: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is recognized as an excellent tool for assessing female sexuality and screening female sexual dysfunction, but it also has important venereological implications as sexually transmitted diseases result from human behaviour in the sexual sphere. It is influenced by socio-economic, psychological and cultural factors. AIM: To present the results of an attempt to implement FSFI in gynaecological practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 91 women aged 20-35 (mean: 24.3 ±4.0) undergoing prophylactic gynaecological examinations. All of them voluntarily agreed to fill in the FSFI questionnaire, and provide data on weight, height, hormone treatments, the age of menarche and sexual initiation and information essential in health promotion and prevention, including the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. RESULTS: The average age of the first sexual intercourse was 18.2 ±2.4. The total FSFI score ranged from 3.8 to 35.1 points (mean: 27.4 ±6.5). As many as 34.1% of the women presented with FSFI < 27.50, suggesting an increased risk of sexual dysfunction. Patients' age as well as the age of menarche were both negatively correlated with desire. The mean FSFI scores for almost all of the domains and the FSFI total score were higher for women taking oral contraceptives, although statistically significant differences were detected only for the orgasm domain. CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of sexually active Polish women presented with FSFI below the threshold, suggesting some grade of sexual dysfunction. Gynaecological and STI medical history should be extended to include issues related to female sexual function.
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OBJECTIVES: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a cluster of physical and emotional symptoms occurring in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The study aim was to determine the relationship between PMS, and state of nutrition expressed as Body Mass Index (BMI) and body composition in 18-year-old females. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 476 women divided into two groups i.e. those suffering from PMS (n = 233) and those without symptoms (n = 243). The women were examined during their luteal phase using bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine their body composition. Height and weight were measured using digital medical scales with an electronic height rod. BMI was calculated thus: BMI = body mass (weight) (kg)/height (m2). The subjects were di- vided into two sub-groups: BMI < 25 kg/m2 and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATISTICA 10 PL software and the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The women with normal BMI suffered from PMS twice as often as the women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (68.2% vs. 31.8%). There were significantly higher values for Fat Mass (FM) (%) (p < 0.01) and FM (kg) (p < 0.001) in women without PMS, and significantly higher values for Fat-Free Mass (FFM) (%) (p < 0.001) and Total Body Water (TBW) (%) (p < 0.001) in women with PMS. Higher values were reported for FFM (kg) and TBW (kg) (p < 0.05) in girls with PMS and BMI ≥ 25. CONCLUSIONS: These results show PMS is more frequent in patients with BMI < 25, and less frequent in patients with higher FM (kg) and FM (%). Moreover, significant frequency of PMS was observed in patients with higher FFM and TBW. Such statistical significance was not confirmed in girls with a BMI < 25.
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Composición Corporal/fisiología , Índice de Masa Corporal , Síndrome Premenstrual/epidemiología , Adolescente , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Humanos , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the factors influencing women's knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis and find out the sources of the knowledge. BACKGROUND: In the Greater Poland region, breast cancer has been the most frequently detected tumour for years. The percentage of breast cancer cases has increased by 31% in the last decade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study encompassed 337 women aged 40-59 who participated in the mammographic examinations. An original research tool was used which assessed the level of knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis, the knowledge of health-oriented behaviour in this regard and the influence of the medical personnel on women's education. RESULTS: Age is a factor diversifying the knowledge of the breast self-examination method. Doctors and nurses were rarely indicated as a source of knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis. The subjects presented a high level of knowledge of the factors increasing the risk of developing cancer. CONCLUSIONS: A correlation between the level of education and the knowledge of one's own breast to a degree which enables a woman to detect even a slight change was observed. Vital findings also concern the sources of knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis. The results of the studies indicated little informative support on the part of the medical personnel; therefore, one should call for supplementing training courses for doctors and nurses focusing on the issues of prophylaxis, including the method of breast self-examination.