Objectives: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a cluster of physical and emotional symptoms occurring in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The study aim was to determine the relationship between PMS, and state of nutrition expressed as Body Mass Index (BMI) and body composition in 18-year-old females. Material and methods:The study was conducted on 476 women divided into two groups i.e. those suffering from PMS (n = 233) and those without symptoms (n = 243). The women were examined during their luteal phase using bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine their body composition. Height and weight were measured using digital medical scales with an electronic height rod. BMI was calculated thus: BMI = body mass (weight) (kg)/height (m 2 ). The subjects were divided into two sub-groups: BMI < 25 kg/m 2 and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 . Statistical analysis was carried out using STATISTICA 10 PL software and the Mann-Whitney test. Results:The women with normal BMI suffered from PMS twice as often as the women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 (68.2% vs. 31.8%). There were significantly higher values for Fat Mass (FM) (%) (p < 0.01) and FM (kg) (p < 0.001) in women without PMS, and significantly higher values for Fat-Free Mass (FFM) (%) (p < 0.001) and Total Body Water (TBW) (%) (p < 0.001) in women with PMS. Higher values were reported for FFM (kg) and TBW (kg) (p < 0.05) in girls with PMS and BMI ≥ 25. Conclusions:These results show PMS is more frequent in patients with BMI < 25, and less frequent in patients with higher FM (kg) and FM (%). Moreover, significant frequency of PMS was observed in patients with higher FFM and TBW. Such statistical significance was not confirmed in girls with a BMI < 25.

Introduction The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is recognized as an excellent tool for assessing female sexuality and screening female sexual dysfunction, but it also has important venereological implications as sexually transmitted diseases result from human behaviour in the sexual sphere. It is influenced by socio-economic, psychological and cultural factors. Aim To present the results of an attempt to implement FSFI in gynaecological practice. Material and methods The study comprised 91 women aged 20–35 (mean: 24.3 ±4.0) undergoing prophylactic gynaecological examinations. All of them voluntarily agreed to fill in the FSFI questionnaire, and provide data on weight, height, hormone treatments, the age of menarche and sexual initiation and information essential in health promotion and prevention, including the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Results The average age of the first sexual intercourse was 18.2 ±2.4. The total FSFI score ranged from 3.8 to 35.1 points (mean: 27.4 ±6.5). As many as 34.1% of the women presented with FSFI < 27.50, suggesting an increased risk of sexual dysfunction. Patients’ age as well as the age of menarche were both negatively correlated with desire. The mean FSFI scores for almost all of the domains and the FSFI total score were higher for women taking oral contraceptives, although statistically significant differences were detected only for the orgasm domain. Conclusions A high percentage of sexually active Polish women presented with FSFI below the threshold, suggesting some grade of sexual dysfunction. Gynaecological and STI medical history should be extended to include issues related to female sexual function.

ProphylaxisHealth-oriented behaviour a b s t r a c t Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the factors influencing women's knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis and find out the sources of the knowledge.Background: In the Greater Poland region, breast cancer has been the most frequently

Introduction. The World Health Organisation has declared obesity and overweight an epidemic of the 21st century. Both obesity and absence of health promoting attitudes are important issues in the context of female reproductive health, a growing problem of fertility disorders, and future obstetric complications. Aim. The aim of this paper was to obtain information from girls of child-bearing age on their lifestyle, including dietary attitudes in the context of obesity, fertility disorders and obstetric complications that are inherent to dietary habits and lifestyle. The paper aims to fi nd out priorities for actions related to reproductive health promotion. Material and methods. 93 students of high schools, aged 17-19 years old were enrolled. The study involved a medical survey on the problems girls of childbearing age have. The study was prepared by an interdisciplinary team of doctors (including a sexologist), psychologists, a dietician and teachers. The study also involved the Eating Attitudes Test-26. Results. 67.74% of the girls confi rmed that diet is very important, yet 56.99% ate sweets every day, 36.56% ate fast food every day, and 45.16% had no breakfast before going to school. It was determined that 50.54% did not do any sport, and 38.71% smoked cigarettes. What is more, 30.11% of the girls have at least once been on a weight loss diet, which resulted in inhibition of menstruation in 7.53% of them. Eating attitude disorders were found in 9.68% of the young women enrolled. Conclusions. The health education standard represented by the girls is low. Their dietary habits are alarming and may in time cause adverse health problems, including overweight and obesity. Furthermore, almost 40% of the young women were smokers and more than half of them failed to exercise, which could prevent obesity, fertility disorders, and obstetric complications. STRESZCZENIEWstęp. Otyłość oraz nadwaga zostały uznane przez Światową Organizację Zdrowia za epidemie XXI wieku. Występowanie otyłości, jak i brak postaw prozdrowotnych to ważne zagadnienia w kontekście zdrowia prokreacyjnego kobiet, narastającego problemu zaburzeń płodności oraz występowania późniejszych powikłań położniczych. Cel. Celem pracy było uzyskanie informacji od dziewcząt w wieku prokreacyjnym, dotyczących stylu życia, w tym zbadanie postaw wobec odżywiania, w aspekcie problemu otyłości oraz zaburzeń płodności i powikłań położniczych, które są nierozerwalnie ze sobą związane ze sposobem żywienia i stylem życia. Praca ma na celu pokazanie priorytetów dotyczących działań w zakresie promocji zdrowia prokreacyjnego. Materiał i metody. W badaniach brały udział 93 uczennice szkół średnich, w wieku 17-19 lat. Badania przeprowadzono za pomocą opracowanej przez interdyscyplinarny zespół, składający się z lekarzy (w tym seksuologa), psychologów, dietetyka i pedagogów, ankiety-wywiadu lekarskiego dotyczącej problemów dziewcząt będących w okresie prokreacyjnym. W badaniach wykorzystano także kwestionariusz postaw wobec odżywiania . Wyniki. Wśród dziewcząt 67,74% twierdzi...

Introduction. Pregnancy increases demand for many minerals and vitamins. Most of them should be provided primarily in a wellbalanced diet, not just by supplementation using pharmaceutical products. Aim. The aim of the paper was to determine whether a correctly managed individual dietary intervention in pregnant patients leads to improvement of their nutrition and hence provision of necessary minerals and vitamins vital in terms of pregnancy. Material and methods. 57 healthy pregnant women with a correct body mass index, aged 22-41 were enrolled. Diet of the participants was assessed three times: upon enrolment (before the dietary intervention was introduced), after week 10, and after week 18 based on their food diaries fi lled in on an on-going basis. Results. Insuffi cient intake of most minerals and vitamins was noted prior to the dietary intervention. After 18 weeks of the intervention, clearly too low intake expressed as a percentage of recommended intake was noted for iron and folates. The diet did not provide the required amount of potassium as well. Conclusions. Patients who underwent an 18 week dietary intervention during pregnancy are capable of providing suffi cient amounts of most minerals and vitamins through a proper dietary balance. Folic acid is an exception and it should be provided from other sources as well. Pregnant women should also consider supplementation of iron as, according to the study, patients are capable of providing only half of the recommended intake of this important mineral. In order to complement potassium, intake of foodstuffs rich in this mineral should be increased.