BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nutrition is considered as an effective factor in reducing the problems associated with menopause. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional education on nutritional behavior and the number of hot flashes in perimenopausal and menopausal women.

METHODS: This trial was conducted on 54 healthy married perimenopausal and menopausal women aged 45-60 years in Kaleybar city, Eastern Azerbaijan, Iran. The participants were divided into two groups using randomized blocking method. The experimental group received three sessions of 45 to 60-minute lecture weekly about nutrition and the control group received no intervention. Nutritional behavior and the number of hot flashes were recorded and investigated at baseline (before intervention), 8 and 12 weeks after intervention using nutritional subscale of HPLP-П questionnaire and a checklist, respectively (IRCT:2012111210324N6).

FINDINGS: 27 participants (100%) of intervention group and 26 (96.3%) cases of control group completed the study. At baseline, mean±SD of nutritional behavior score was 14.7±3.4 in the intervention and 14.8±13.8 in the control group from attainable score of 10-40 and the difference between two groups was not significant (p=0.910). With adjusting the baseline nutritional behavior score, the score in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in control group at the end of both 8_th week [(mean difference: 7.7, 95% confidence interval: 6.4 to 9.0), p<0.001] and 12_th week [(8.9, 7.4 to 10.3), p>0.001]. Also, after adjusting the baseline number of hot flashes, there was significant difference between two groups (control and intervention ) in terms of hot flashes in both 8 weeks [(-1.0, -1.5 to -0.4), p<0.001] and 12 weeks after intervention [(-2.3, -3.1 to -1.5), p<0.001].

CONCLUSION: The results showed that nutritional education improved nutritional behavior and reduced hot flashes in perimenopausal and menopausal women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Menopause is one of the most critical periods in a woman’s life. The symptoms that women experience during this stage are among the most important health care challenges. This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-directed learning on the early symptoms of menopause (primary outcome) and the frequency of hot flashes (secondary outcome).

METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 124 postmenopausal women, whose medical records were available at Vali-Asr Health Center, were evaluated in Islamshahr city in 2014. The subjects were allocated to intervention (self-directed learning) and control groups (62 subjects per group) via random cluster sampling. For the purpose of training, three booklets, including the symptoms of menopause and methods of prevention, were given to participants on a specific day during three consecutive weeks. Early menopause symptoms were assessed using Greene scale (0-63) before and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using generalized linear model (IRCT code: 201305063027N25).

FINDINGS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics or the mean Greene score before the intervention. Four weeks after the intervention, the mean Greene score was significantly lower in the intervention group (95% confidence interval: 6.4-8.5, adjusted difference: 7.5), compared to the control group. Four weeks after the intervention, the frequency of hot flashes was significantly lower in the intervention group, compared to the control group (-1.9 to -6.6, -3.9) (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Self-directed learning could reduce the early symptoms of menopause. Therefore, this method of learning can be considered as a suitable way to enhance women’s health and prepare them for dealing with the irritating symptoms of menopause via health interventions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the most common complication among women at the reproductive age, which may adversely interfere with daily activities. Due to the high prevalence of PMS in Iran, identification of rapid and effective diagnostic tools is paramount for the correct recognition of this syndrome. This study aimed to compare the predictive values of the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) and Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) in the diagnosis of PMS.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 230 female students above 18 years, who were selected using convenience sampling. PSST and DRSP questionnaires were completed on a daily basis during two menstrual cycles of the subjects. 

FINDINGS: In this study, rate of the correct classification of PMS symptom severity (mild to severe) by PSST was estimated at 83.9%. Sensitivity and specificity of PSST were 66.3% and 85.6%, respectively. In addition, positive and negative predictive values of PSST were reported to be 96.2% and 33%, respectively. Also, there was a moderate, significant correlation between PSST and DRSP (r=0.38, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, PSST could be a proper screening tool to identify normal women in clinical situations and diagnose mild PMS accurately. However, it is not an appropriate measure to predict the severity of PMS. In this regard, use of prospective tools could result in a definitive diagnosis of PMS.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Physical activity might reduce postpartum depressive symptoms and improve temperament. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum mood in primiparous women.

METHODS: This cohort study was conducted in 165 primiparous women aged 18-35 years referring to the healthcare centers in Tehran, Iran, during 2013-2014. The participants were chosen through stratified random sampling and divided into two groups of low physical activity (n=68) and moderate or high physical activity (n=97). Both groups completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) during weeks 28 and 34 and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) at the end of the sixth postpartum week. For each sub-scale, the minimum and maximum possible scores of this scale are 0 and 21, respectively.

FINDINGS: Mean total scores of stress, anxiety, and depression of the low physical activity group were 9.85±5.74, 5.61±5.11, and 6.23±5.77, respectively, while for the moderate or high physical activity group they were 9.88±5.84, 5.72±5.03, and 6.51±5.70, respectively. In addition, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of mean total score of stress (p=0.969), anxiety (p=0.585), and depression (p=0.396) at the end of the sixth postpartum week. Moreover, no statistically significant relationship was observed between the level of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum mood.

CONCLUSION: According to our results, physical activity during pregnancy is not associated with postpartum stress, anxiety, and depression.