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Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate and severity of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) and their association with septum morphology following the hysteroscopic resection of the uterine septum. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with septate uteri undergoing hysteroscopic septolysis with scissors. Two months after the surgery, the second look hysteroscopy was performed and the intrauterine cavity was evaluated for IUAs and residual septum. Afterward, the rate and severity of adhesions and residual septum and their association with the septal morphology were studied as well. Results: In general, 30 patients were entered into the study. The incidence rate of adhesions following septoplasty was 23.3%. It was mild and moderate in 16.7% and 6.7%, respectively. The incidence rate of adhesions was not related to the length and width of the septum (P = 0.281, P = 0.495). The rate of the residual septum in second-look hysteroscopy was 56.7%, which was less than 0.5 cm in most cases (33.3%). It was not more than 1 cm in any case. The possibility of the residual septum was significantly higher in long septa (P = 0.045) whereas it was not related to the septum width (P = 0.087). Conclusions: IUA following hysteroscopic septolysis is a possibility, especially in infertile patients which is often mild. The presence of a uterine factor in such patients may justify the risk of increased IUAs in our study in comparison to others. Therefore, it is able to perform second-look hysteroscopy in infertile patients with a septate uterus for the diagnosis and early treatment of IUAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many infertile couples feel vulnerable after failed treatment cycles and find insensitive remarks or inappropriate support distressing. They fear that the stress of failed treatment cycles may affect their marriage and lead to marriage breakdown. This study explored the strategies a sample of infertile couples used to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatment with assisted reproductive technologies. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 34 participants including nine infertile couples, nine infertile women and two infertile men with primary infertility, two relatives, and three fertility clinic staff. The participants were selected through purposive sampling at an infertility centre in Iran, between 2016 and 2017. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed by qualitative content analysis approach. Participants found some social interactions after failed assisted reproductive treatment cycles to be distressing and painful. They described tolerating painful emotions which cause them sadness and sorrow as well as feeling embarrassed. As a result, they found they needed to maintain their adopting concealment strategies with their families through not permitting speculation, selective disclosure, not giving details and hiding the truth. This study showed that social interactions following failed assisted reproductive cycles can be upsetting for infertile couples. Couples use different strategies to manage potentially distressing social interactions. Healthcare providers and psychologists may provide a space for safe social interactions in order to help couples to use appropriate strategies in these circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the treatment methods for increasing the ovarian response to ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD). The optimal amount of the electrosurgical energy discharged in the ovaries to achieve maximum treatment response with minimal follicle injury is unknown. This study was performed to compare the success level of LOD by means of standard and dose-adjusted treatment methods among infertile clomiphene-resistant PCOS women. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on infertile clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS women in the Gynaecology Department of Imam Reza Hospital between 2016 and 2017. The patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the ovarian cautery method. The two groups were examined and compared regarding the antral follicles, the serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), androgens, and mid-luteal progesterone one month after surgery. The regularity of cycles, ovulation, and pregnancy were examined monthly up to six months after surgery. Results: In total, 60 women received bilateral LOD (n=30 per group). The level of AMH (P=0.73), testosterone (P=0.91), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS, P=0.16) did not differ at study entrance and one month after ovarian cautery [P=0.94 (AMH), P=0.46 (testosterone), and P=0.12 (DHEAS)] and for postoperative mid-luteal progesterone (P=0.31). Intragroup comparisons showed a statistically significant difference in the decrease in the number of antral follicles and testosterone in the standard group (P=0.02) and AMH level in the cautionary dose-adjusted group (P=0.04). We observed no difference in cycle regularity (P=0.22), ovulation (P=0.11), and pregnancy (P=0.40) between the two groups after six months. Conclusion: The results indicated that there was no difference between the two methods of ovarian cautery with regards to establishing cycle regularity and ovulation. The standard treatment was effective in decreasing the numbers of antral follicles and testosterone levels, whereas the dose-adjusted method significantly affected the decrease in AMH levels (Registration Number: IRCT20171210037820N1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Waiting period of fertility treatment is stressful, therefore it is necessary to use effective coping strategies to cope with waiting period of intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was comparing the effect of the positive reappraisal coping intervention (PRCI) with the problem-solving skills training (PSS) on the coping strategies of IUI waiting period, in infertile women referred to Milad Infertility Center in Mashhad. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 108 women were evaluated into three groups. The control group received the routine care, but in PRCI group, two training sessions were held and they were asked to review the coping thoughts cards and fill out the daily monitoring forms during the waiting period, and in PSS group problem-solving skill were taught during 3 sessions. The coping strategies were compared between three groups on the 10th day of IUI waiting period. Results: Results showed that the mean score for problem-focused were significantly different between the control (28.54±9.70), PSS (33.71±9.31), and PRCI (30.74±10.96) (p=0.025) groups. There were significant differences between the PSS group and others groups, and mean emotion-focused were significantly different between the control (32.09±11.65), PSS (29.20±9.88), and PRCI (28.74±7.96) (p=0.036) groups. There were significant differences between the PRCI and the control group (p=0.047). Conclusion: PSS was more effective to increase problem-focused coping strategies than PRCI, therefore it is recommended that this intervention should be used in infertility treatment centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Using fertility treatment will cause high levels of anxiety and depression. The study was carried out with the objective of determining the effect of problem-solving skills (PSS) training on mental health and the success of treatment of infertile women under intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment., Materials and Methods: this randomized clinical trial was carried out on 72 women referring to Milad Infertility Center in Mashhad. Individuals were randomly assigned into control and intervention groups. PSS were taught in three sessions in the intervention group, and the control group received usual care. The success rate of therapy and the mean of anxiety and depression on the day of IUI operation were compared using the Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberger Anxiety Inventory in both groups. t -test, Mann-Whitney, paired t -test, Wilcoxon, and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data., Results: on the day of IUI operation, the mean score of state anxiety in the control group(5 0. 11 ± 8.51) and PSS (68.12 ± 11.49) was significant ( P < 0.001), trait anxiety in the control group (46.41 ± 8.70) and PSS (44.00 ± 9.92) was significant ( P < 0.001), and depression in the control group (17.44 ± 11.70) and PSS (12.99 ± 8.99) was significant ( P < 0.001); however, the success of treatment in both groups (14.7% and PSS (26.5%) was not significantly different ( P = 0.230)., Conclusion: Considering the effect of problem-solving on reducing anxiety and depression, it is suggested that infertility center of this intervention should be used., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.