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Biomedical subjects

L Dennerstein

Publications and source records attributed to L Dennerstein.

139 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Sexuality and contraceptive acceptability.

A woman's sexuality may influence the particular choice and acceptance of a contraceptive method which, in turn, may also affect her sexual response. The type of contraceptive recommended should be determined following both physical and psychological assessment of the woman. A method that is not psychologically acceptance is likely to result in discontinuation. Positive and negative effects of the oral contraceptive pill are considered. Pharmacologically induced symptoms are difficult to specify. There appears to be a much greater incidence of psychological problems.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

The management of vaginismus.

Vaginismus may be defined as an involuntary spastic contraction of the musculature investing the outer third of the vagina. This spasm is produced by imagined or real attempts at vaginal penetration. Though vaginismus may be suspected from the history, the definitive diagnosis is made on vaginal examination. Preparation and positioning of the patient for this examination are important. Where anxiety of the patient precludes examination, the patient may be first desensitized to penetration using behavioural modification techniques. The patient is then shown how to overcome the spasm using daily digital vaginal examination. When digital vaginal dilatation can be painlessly carried out, intercourse is attempted. In some women, vaginismus appears to be a somatic manifestation of unconsious psychological conflicts. These women may benefit from more intensive psychotherapy.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1977

Sexual response following hysterectomy and oophorecomy.

This is a report of a retrospective study of 89 patients who had undergone hysterectomy and oophorectomy. The aims of this study were to identify factors associated with sexual deterioration attributed to the operation. In the sample interviewed, 33 patients (37%) complained of a deterioration of their sexual relationships, which they attributed to the operation. Preoperative expectations of sexual alteration were found to be significantly associated with subsequent sexual dysfunction, and specifically with loss of desire for sexual intercourse. Estrogen administration, while not affecting overall sexual behavior, was specifically associated with less dyspareunia. It was concluded that sexual dysfunction following hysterectomy and oophorectomy was mainly associated with psychologic factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Oral contraception and sexuality.

A search of the literature has been carried out to determined how oral contraceptives affect sexuality in women. Some studies featured a high incidence of loss of libido. This could perhaps be attributed to preparations containing progestational compounds. However, no adequate double-blind trial has confirmed this observation. Some psychological and pharmacological aspects of contraceptions are discussed. More research is needed to ascertain why women often lose their sexual interest when taking oral contraceptives.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of premenstrual syndrome. A double-blind trial of dydrogesterone.

A double-blind randomised crossover trial of oral micronised progesterone and placebo had demonstrated that progesterone had beneficial effects over placebo for some mood and physical premenstrual symptoms. A further trial using identical methodology was carried out to assess whether dydrogesterone would have the same beneficial effects. Prospective assessment confirmed the presence of a premenstrual syndrome in 30 women. Of these, six withdrew during the 4 months of the study. Twenty-four women completed the double-blind crossover protocol. All women were interviewed premenstrually before treatment and in each month of treatment. They completed the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, Mood Adjective Checklist and a Daily Symptom Record. Analysis of data found an overall beneficial effect of being treated for most variables. Further analysis showed that the most major effects occurred in the first 2 treatment months. This study could find no evidence that dydrogesterone was more effective than placebo in treating premenstrual complaints.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Menstrual cycle symptoms: comparison of a non-clinical sample with a patient group.

This study compared findings of a community group of women (n = 32), who claimed they did not require help for menstrual cycle complaints, with a patient group (n = 75) with confirmed premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Subjects completed a battery of psychological tests to identify personality characteristics, levels of depression, anxiety, stress and marital adjustment. Menstrual cycle symptoms were assessed with the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ, Moos, 1985) during follicular (day 6-8) and premenstrual phases (day 26-28) of two adjusted cycles and with daily symptom ratings. Daily 24-h urines were collected for oestradiol and pregnanediol levels for one cycle. After prospective assessment, the non-clinical sample were differentiated into those with pronounced cyclical symptom changes (Hi-volunteers, n = 13) and others with minimal cyclical changes (Lo-volunteers, n = 19). The total non-clinical sample could be distinguished from the patient group on depression, stress, and self-esteem scores. The non-clinical subgroup with pronounced cyclical symptoms is proposed as an 'at-risk' group for future treatment seeking.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short scale to measure female sexuality: adapted from McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire.

This article examines sex-questionnaire data using the Personal Experiences Questionnaire (PEQ; Dennerstein, Hopper, & Burger, 1997). We used data from a population-based sample of 354 Australian mid-aged women and an optimization procedure in order to reduce the length of the PEQ while retaining items measuring the components of female sexual functioning and key determinants. Eight items were selected. We recommend retaining the item related to orgasm (rejected for parsimony only). Eight of the nine items were from the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire, confirming the validity of this source scale. The original wording in the McCoy scale is recommended as considerable data has now become available on reliability and validity.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for osteoporosis: A review.

Skeletal fragility and falls are the 2 most potent factors leading to osteoporotic fractures. The aim of this article is to review factors associated with women's risk of developing skeletal fragility and subsequent osteoporosis. Many factors have been implicated, but the evidence for some is unsubstantial. Low premenopausal bone mineral density (BMD), a decrease in BMD, and an increase in bone fragility -- which occur as a result of both aging and the menopause -- are major determinants of subsequent risk for osteoporotic fracture. In addition, low body mass index (BMI), low calcium intake, low physical activity, and smoking can affect BMD. The relative importance of the effects these physical and lifestyle factors have on BMD in midlife women is not fully established. The impact of gynecologic history (parity, lactation, oral contraceptive use, age of menarche) on BMD is uncertain.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Life satisfaction, symptoms, and the menopausal transition.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to examine the relation between life satisfaction and the menopausal transition, identify factors predictive or associated with life satisfaction, and determine the relation between life satisfaction and other health outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a prospective population-based study of 438 middle-aged Australian-born women followed for 6 years after baseline measures. Retention rate at 6 years was 90% (n = 395). Two self-reported measures of life satisfaction (Life Satisfaction Index-Z scale [LSI-Z] and Satisfaction with Life Scale [SWLS]) were used in year 6. Positive and negative affect scales and questions about satisfaction with work and daily living were also used. Sociodemographic variables were measured at baseline, and attitudes toward menopause and aging were documented at years 2 and 5, respectively. Other explanatory variables, including symptoms, health, stress, life events, sexual functioning, and lifestyle were measured in year 6. RESULTS: Women overwhelmingly endorsed positive responses to life satisfaction questions. The LSI-Z and the SWLS were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.70), with the mood scales, and with responses to questions about satisfaction with work and daily living. The LSI-Z and SWLS were not related to menopausal status, hormone levels (follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol), age, body mass index, hot flushes, hormone replacement therapy, sexual interest, employment status, type of profession, children at home, alcohol, chronic conditions, surgery, premenstrual complaints, life events (major or secondary), and social support. Stepwise multiple regression found that life satisfaction was predicted by earlier attitudes and was positively associated with feelings for partner and exercise and negatively associated with daily hassles, interpersonal stress, dysphoric symptoms, and current smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Life satisfaction was closely related to mood, predicted by earlier attitudes, and affected by relationship to partner, stress, and lifestyle. Life satisfaction was unrelated to menopause status, hormone levels, or hormone replacement therapy.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for osteoporosis: prevalence, change, and association with bone density.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of risk factors for osteoporosis in a population-based cohort of Australian-born midlife women; determine the effect of these risk factors on premenopausal and early perimenopausal bone mineral density (BMD); and describe changes in risk factors and any effect of these on bone loss. DESIGN: 4-year longitudinal community-based study. BMD of the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) was measured using dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). SETTING: Melbourne, Australia PARTICIPANTS: 224 Australian-born women aged 46-56 years MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors for osteoporosis, LS-BMD, FN-BMD, and change in risk factors and BMD. RESULTS: At baseline, 52% reported a calcium intake of less than 800 mg/day and 46% reported a caffeine intake of more than 360 mg/day; 29% exercised less than 1.5 hours/week; 5% had a body mass index (BMI) of less than 20; 14% were current smokers; 23% were past smokers; 10% reported abnormal menstrual histories; and 25% reported a family history of osteoporosis. BMD was positively associated with weight; BMI; and waist, hip, and trunk skin-fold measure (P less than .0005). At 4-year follow-up, there were increases in weight (P less than .0005), waist/hip ratio (P less than. 05), trunk skin-fold measurements (P less than.005), and calcium intake (P less than.05). In women who became late perimenopausal or postmenopausal, bone loss was associated with time in relation to the final menstrual period but not with other variables. CONCLUSIONS: There are multiple risk factors for osteoporosis in this Australian-born population of midlife women, but only anthropometric variables were associated with BMD at baseline. Significant changes during the menopausal transition in anthropometric variables and calcium intake were in the direction that could decrease the risk of osteoporosis but were not found to affect menopausal bone loss.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual side effects of drugs.

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Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions↗