Genital warts and women's sexual challenges: is sexual compatibility possible? A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Genital warts, besides their importance as symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, can also threaten the sexual health of couples. The purpose of this study was to explore the sexual compatibility in women with active genital warts. METHODS: A qualitative study with a conventional content analysis approach in Tehran, Iran, from January 2019 to February 2020 was conducted on a purposeful sample of data saturation achieved after interviewing 14 women with genital warts, 2 couples and 3 dermatologists, 1 sexologist and 1 infectious disease specialist. Data were collected through unstructured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis approach. RESULTS: After data analysis 224 initial codes, 5 main categories "change in the frequency of sexual activity", "changing types of sexual intercourse", "protected sexual intercourse", "concealment of lesions", "focusing on personal hygiene by couples after sexual activity" and finally a central theme of "adaptation to challenges of sexual intercourse" were extracted. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the perceptions and experiences of women with active genital warts about the process of their sexual adaptation. The main concepts found in this study focus on challenges related to sexual intercourse. It seems that recognizing women's sexual adaptation challenges after getting genital warts may help them take effective and practical measures to improve their sexual compatibility and health.

Effects of sensate focus technique and position changing on sexual function of women with deep-infiltrating endometriosis after surgery: A clinical trial study.

Background: Endometriosis is a disease that affects women throughout their sexual life. Sexual health is, therefore, a major concern for these women. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of the sensate focus technique and position changing on the sexual function of women with deep-infiltrating endometriosis 3-6 months after surgery. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 80 women with deep endometriosis, aged 18-45 yr, who were referred to the endometriosis clinic of Avicenna fertility center, Tehran, Iran for follow-up after surgery from January to September 2021. They were divided randomly into 2 groups. In the intervention group, 2-hr virtual training sessions were held and the control group only completed the questionnaires without any intervention. Sexual function was evaluated after 4 and 8 wk. Results: 8 wk after the intervention, the mean score of sexual function in the intervention group was significantly improved (p < 0.001). The mean total score of sexual function in the pre-intervention period reached from 24.16 to 28.31 in 4 wk after the intervention and 29.85, 8 wk after the intervention. The mean score of sexual pain during the follow-up periods was significantly improved in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Sensate focus technique and sexual position changing improved sexual function in women with deep endometriosis after surgery.

Sexual dysfunction in women with genital warts: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To provide an understanding of the changes in sexual function in women with genital warts. METHODS: In this review study, databases searched included: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Wiley, and Highwire Press. No study design limitations were applied to the initial search, and qualitative and quantitative studies published between 2005 and 2021 were included. RESULTS: 19 articles were selected and analyzed narratively. The quality of the studies was almost good. The findings were classified into three groups: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with genital warts (GWs) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV); Types of sexual dysfunction in women with genital warts, and associated factors; Psychosexual effects of genital warts. CONCLUSION: This study provides up-to-date evidence of the changes in sexual function in women with genital warts. Although the results of most studies showed that women with genital warts experienced sexual dysfunction in almost all dimensions, differences in study design and study population made it difficult to determine the specific type of disorder such as libido, or arousal disorders in these women. Based on the findings of this review, more research in this field is recommended for the future. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: (PROSPERO: CRD42020188584, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=188584 ).

Sexual self-efficacy and sexual quality of life before and after laparoscopic surgery in women with endometriosis lesions: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases and is associated with an increased risk of dyspareunia. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate sexual self-efficacy (SSE) and sexual quality of life (SQOL) before and after laparoscopic surgery of endometriosis lesions. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study measured the dependent variable by questionnaires before and after the surgery, and was performed with 36 women with endometriosis (aged 20-40 yr) who were referred to Arash hospital, Tehran, Iran between December 2018 and July 2019 using a convenience sampling method. Data collection tools included SQOL and SSE questionnaires, and a visual analogue scale. Data were collected before, and 3 and 6 months after laparoscopic surgery. Results: Out of the 36 women included in this study, 91.7% had pelvic endometriosis and 8.3% had abdominal and pelvic endometriosis. 9 participants (25.0%) were in stages I or II of the disease, and 29 (75.0%) had endometriosis with higher involvement. The findings of the study showed a positive effect of laparoscopic surgery on SQOL and SSE in participants (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery in cases of endometriosis can improve SQOL and SSE in affected women and improve dyspareunia.

Effect of sex education on sexual function and sexual quality of life in women with endometriosis: A quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a sex education program on sexual function and sexual quality of life in women with endometriosis. METHODS: In a quasi-experimental study, women with endometriosis who had undergone laparoscopic surgery were assigned to an intervention group (n = 36) or a control group (n = 36). The intervention group received a sex education program consisting of two sessions a week (90 min each) for two consecutive weeks; the control group received none. Both groups were followed for 12 weeks. Sexual function and sexual quality of life were assessed on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Sexual Quality of life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire before the intervention, as well as 8 and 12 weeks after the intervention. Outcomes were analyzed using Student t test, the χ2 test, Fisher exact test, and repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 36.9 ± 5.7 years. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of demographics and pre-intervention clinical characteristics. At the end of the study, sex education reduced female sexual dysfunction by 58.1% in the intervention group. The mean FSFI score increased significantly in the intervention group from pre-intervention to 8 and 12 weeks post-intervention compared with the scores in the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sex education appears to be a promising intervention for reducing sexual dysfunction and improving sexual function and sexual quality of life in women with endometriosis. Future studies should encompass longer periods of follow up to obtain further data on the efficacy of sex education in this setting.

Health care providers' responses to sexually abused children and adolescents: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Sexual abuse of children and adolescents is a significant health concern worldwide. Appropriate and timely health services for victims can prevent severe and long-term consequences. This study identified and categorized diagnostic and treatment services needed for sexually abused children and adolescents. METHODS: Several databases, including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, were searched to retrieve studies on the topic and clinical guidelines in English covering the literature from 2010 to 2020 using search terms. Primary studies and guidelines were reviewed to identify treatment strategies and medical interventions related to sexually abused children and adolescents. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies and guidelines were selected and analyzed narratively. The quality of evidence was relatively good. We identified that effective health care systems for sexually abused children include the following: interview and obtain medical history, physical and anogenital examination, collecting forensic and DNA evidence, documenting all the findings, prevention and termination of pregnancy, diagnostic tests, prophylaxis for HIV and other STIs, vaccinations, and psychological intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides up-to-date evidence about adequate health care services for children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse. We conclude that recent studies have focused more on prophylaxis against HIV and other STIs, studies on vaccinating against HPV for victims are still limited, and future research in this area is needed.

Development and validation of a guideline on sexual and reproductive health services for polycystic ovary syndrome in Iran: a mixed-methods study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an important aspect of women's health. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common disease among women and has long-term negative effects on women's health. Evidence shows that polycystic ovary syndrome has different impacts on SRH needs among women. The aim of this study is to design and validate an SRH services guideline for healthcare providers in treating women with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: The guideline will be developed and validated using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach in three phases based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) model: (1) scoping phase (describing the SRH needs of women with polycystic ovary syndrome from the results of both review and qualitative studies); (2) development phase (developing a primary guideline for SRH services); (3) validation phase (validation of the guideline will be performed by a panel of experts and stakeholders using the AGREE [Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation] tool). DISCUSSION: A specific and practical guideline on the SRH of Iranian women with polycystic ovary syndrome will be developed, which will be compatible with their specific needs and culture, considering the limited resources available. It will help service providers identify and address the specific needs of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.