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Purpose: While several studies demonstrate an association between reproductive coercion or a lack of reproductive autonomy and decreased mental health in women, little is known about potential mental health impacts when women are denied prescription contraceptives. The aim of this research was to explore associations between prescription contraceptive denial and perceived ease of future access to contraception, and self-assessed mental health. Patients and Methods: Polish women (N=424) completed an anonymous online survey with demographic questions; perceived stress (PSS-10), state anxiety (STAI-X1), and depression (CESD-R) assessments, and contraceptive access questions. Results: Eighty-eight participants (21%) had experienced at least one episode of prescription contraceptive denial from a doctor or pharmacist. There were no differences in stress, anxiety, and depression scores between women who had and had not ever experienced denial. However, women who had experienced contraceptive denial within the last six months, had higher depression scores. In addition, women who perceived future access as very easy had the lowest stress, anxiety and depression scores. Conclusion: These results suggest that experiences and attitudes related to contraceptive access are related to perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. Contraceptive denial and other access barriers constitute a significant public health issue that may impact the health of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The Bear subculture is a community of sexual minority men who are distinguished by their preference for muscular or large body build and pronounced body hair in men. Previous studies indicated that Bears experienced weight stigma within and outside the gay community. In this study we focused on body esteem in members of the Bear subculture and explored its associations with anthropological body mass indexes and experiences of weight discrimination. Methods: The study, which included questionnaires and anthropological measurements, involved 64 cisgender sexual minority men from the Polish Bear community. Analyses focused on predictors of body esteem measured with The Body-Esteem Scale, including body mass indexes (e.g., waist circumference) and self-reported exposure to weight discrimination. Results: Every three out of four study participants reported exposure to weight stigma. Greater exposure to weight discrimination predicted lower ratings of one's Physical Attractiveness, Upper Body Strength and Physical Condition. Body mass indexes were significantly and negatively related only to Physical Condition factor. Discussion: Our study confirms previous observations of increased body mass indexes and exposure to weight stigma among Bears. Interestingly, weight discrimination but not body mass indexes consistently and negatively predicted self-assessed body esteem across its all dimensions. Conclusion: Men from the Bear community constitute a population that may be particularly vulnerable to health inequalities due to increased body mass and weight stigma exposure. Health promotion interventions targeting this population should be tailored to Bears' subcultural norms, support healthier lifestyles and effective coping with stigma as opposed to focus on weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Sex steroid hormones are important not only for reproduction but also for many aspects of women's health, including the risk of breast cancer. Physical activity has been shown to influence sex hormone levels in women. This study aimed to investigate a relationship between the average daily number of steps and the sex hormone (estradiol and progesterone) levels in premenopausal women. Materials and methods: Data were collected from 85 healthy, urban women of reproductive age who performed at least 180 minutes/week of moderate physical activity for two complete menstrual cycles. Physical activity was measured using wrist bands. Estradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured in daily-collected saliva samples in the second menstrual cycle. Results: There was a significant negative association between the average number of steps taken daily and salivary progesterone levels after adjusting for potential confounding factors (age, BMI). Women who took more than 10,000 steps a day had significantly lower progesterone levels compared to women who took less than 10,000 steps. The association between physical activity and estradiol levels was statistically insignificant. Discussion: Our results indicate that taking at least 10,000 steps a day reduces progesterone levels, but this intensity of physical activity may not be high enough to affect estradiol levels. Daily step tracking is a valuable element of health promotion, but currently recommended levels of physical activity may not be high enough for healthy premenopausal women to significantly reduce both sex hormone levels and thus their risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although prior evidence supports women's mating behaviors and preferences being related to ovarian hormonal levels, there is conflicting evidence about exactly which hormones predict sexual function best, which specific psychosexual facets are affected and how between-individual and within-individual differences relate to this question. In this study levels of estradiol and progesterone were measured (once daily for 15 days for each participant) for 97 women, who attended two testing sessions, in times of the cycle varying in conception probability (based on the luteinizing hormone (LH) test result). Women completed surveys on their sexual desire, arousal, sexual activity frequency and initiation. There was a significant difference between peri-ovulatory and luteal values for all sexual function variables. Between-subject progesterone negatively predicted sexual activity frequency only. Within-subject estradiol positively and progesterone negatively predicted sexual desire. The findings provide support for hormonal underpinnings of sexual desire and sexual activity frequency fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. The findings did not yield support for hormonal influences on sexual arousal and initiation of sexual encounters. The main findings are consistent with the excitatory and inhibitory effects of estradiol and progesterone, respectively, on measures of women's sexual motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The purpose of this study was to describe sexual orientations, intimate relationships, sexual behaviours, and pleasure in self-identified straight, gay, and bisexual men. Method. The analysis drew on a database obtained from a cross-sectional online study of the sexuality of Polish straight (SM; N = 1,079), gay (GM; N = 1,704) and bisexual (BM; N = 713) men. This data was utilised to compare men from these three groups across their sexual orientations, intimate relationships and sexual behaviours, including the most pleasurable sexual activities. Results. In general, the sexualities of GM and BM seem to be more diverse and less oriented to particular sexual activities. Sexual minority men (SMM) tended to be more often in open (nonexclusive), had more diverse sexual experiences, and enjoyed a greater variety of sexual activities. This particularly concerned BM. Conclusions. Present analysis revealed patterns and significant differences in sexual orientations, intimate relationships, sexual behaviours, and pleasure of SM, GM and BM. The results, pointing to a greater diversity of sexual expression and preferences in SMM, may both trigger reshaping of some of the stereotypical beliefs, as well as positively influence educational (sexual education, specialized teaching) and clinical practice (more accurate assessment of patients' needs and problems). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgender and nonbinary (TG/NB) persons are listed as one of the key populations in the context of HIV, due to increased risk of HIV infection in this group. HIV prevention, which includes a variety of available methods, should therefore be included in the comprehensive health care for TG/NB persons. One such method is the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), whose high effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission has already been demonstrated in numerous studies conducted in the cisgender population. However, the available empirical data on its use in TG/NB persons are limited in many respects. This issue is also practically absent in the Polish literature; as a consequence, there are significant gaps in recommendations for professionals involved in the prevention of HIV among TG/NB persons and professionals involved in the comprehensive health care for TG/NB persons. This article 1) outlines the issue of the use of PrEP among TG/NB persons, including the associated challenges for professionals (specialising in physical, as well as mental health); 2) demonstrates the possible applicability of PrEP in TG/NB populations based on available research findings; 3) summarises good practices in counselling and PrEP-related psychoeducational activities, as part of the comprehensive health care for TG/NB individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual health diagnoses in men. Previous studies demonstrated that ED can be even more prevalent among sexual minority men. This study investigated whether sexual identity is related to erectile function (EF) and explored variables possibly contributing to the differences between Polish straight and sexual minority men. The study sample included 1,246 gay, 838 straight, and 535 bisexual men who participated in an online survey. First, the psychometric qualities of the IIEF-2-EF scale used in the study were examined through confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis; a correction to account for potential bias in the questionnaire was also applied. Next, a series of univariate and multivariable models accounting for predictors possibly contributing to the observed differences between the groups of men were conducted. It was demonstrated that gay and bisexual men were more likely to show poorer EF. However, as demonstrated in the subgroup of men who were in relationships, sexual identity lost its significance when the unique characteristics of minority men's sexuality (i.e., less focus on insertive penetrative sex in gay men and more frequent relational non-exclusivity in bisexual men) were controlled for. Erectile problems in minority men may benefit from clinical consideration in the unique context of their sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Research conducted in transgender and gender diverse individuals focuses mainly on the challenges and health disparities affecting this population. One reason for this situation is the lack of questionnaires capturing positive aspects and experiences related to being a transgender person. The Transgender Positive Identity Measure (T-PIM) is one of a very few measures designed to explore such experiences. The aim of the study was to investigate the structure, reliability, and validity of the Polish translation of the T-PIM questionnaire. Method. A group of 89 transgender and gender diverse participants completed an online survey including the T-PIM questionnaire, Resilience Measurement Scale (SPP-25) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale - Revised (CESD-R). Hierarchical item clustering method (ICLUST), Horn's parallel analysis and Velicer's minimum average partial test (MAP) were employed to investigate the structure of the questionnaire. Results. The analyses showed that the Polish translation of the T-PIM questionnaire was characterized by a 5-factor structure consistent with the original publication (Authenticity, Intimacy, Community, Social Justice, Insights). Cronbach's alpha and Guttman's lambda-6 reliability coefficients reached satisfactory levels for all five factors and for the whole questionnaire. Conclusions. The Polish translation of the T-PIM questionnaire is characterized by satisfying psychometric properties and can be used in studies on transgender and gender diverse communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This research examined the general attitudes toward lesbian women and gay men (LG people), same-sex marriage (SSM), and LG parenting (LGP) in a large sample of young heterosexual European adults. We expected that one's country of origin, gender role traditionalism, contact, and religiosity would predict their responses. Methods: We conducted a large-scale study from April 2012 to November 2014. The sample consisted of 13,403 self-identified heterosexual students from Belgium, Italy, France, Portugal, Poland, Spain, and Greece (38.7% men and 61.2% women). The main research variables were general attitudes toward LG people, support for same-sex coupling and parenting, gender role traditionalism beliefs, frequency and quality of the contact with LG people, and religiosity. Results: We found that the attitudes toward these issues were significantly more negative in Poland and Greece than in the other countries included in the sample. In addition, these national differences were explained by psychological variables, mainly religiosity and general attitudes toward LG people. Although participants' higher satisfaction levels regarding their contact with LG people and lower levels of gender role traditionalism were associated with positive attitudes toward SSM and parenting, these factors did not account for the attitudinal variability between these countries. Conclusions: Attitudes toward LG people are changing throughout Europe and are influenced by each country's sociopolitical context. We highlight the societal importance of attitudes toward SSM and LG parenting and recommend facilitating positive social contact in universities and other settings to improve young adult heterosexuals' attitudes. Policy Implications: This study's results can inform policies aiming to reduce inequality and develop more inclusive policies on same-sex parented families and couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of health problems are more common in the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) as compared with the general population. At the same time, research reveals that the MSM population is far from homogeneous, and that subcultural affiliation is one of the characteristics that should be taken into account in health analyses of this group. One of the subcultures among MSM that has received growing interest from researchers in recent years, is the Bear community. It originated in the USA and comprises men - mostly homosexual or bisexual - who are characterized by larger, massive or muscular figure, and by distinctive male phenotypic traits - especially body hair pattern, including facial hair. The most significant health determinants in this group include a higher prevalence of behaviors contributing to negative health outcomes as compared with other MSM, elevated BMI values, as well as exposure to multiple stigma - both sexual minority and weight stigma. Research to date has shown that these characteristics of Bears have significant implications for their mental and sexual health. The article aims to review the literature, and to discuss the practical and the clinical implications of the studies conducted thus far in this population. The summary gives practical recommendations regarding both the support for Bear men in clinical practice, and the design of adequate and effective health promotion interventions for members of this unique community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts at unifying the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for transgender individuals experiencing gender dysphoria were first undertaken in Poland in the 1980s. Since then, there has been a change in the perception of transgenderism, almost paradigmatic, expressed in subsequent editions of the diagnostic systems (DSM, ICD), which is also associated with the fundamental changes in the principles of conducting trans-specific healthcare. This triggered the need to formulate recommendations for specialists practicing in Poland, which would at least partly reflect the evolution of views and guidelines on clinical care in transgender adults seeking help due to gender dysphoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]