Biomedical subjects

Artur Bjelica

Publications and source records attributed to Artur Bjelica.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Persistent hyperemesis gravidarum as a psychosomatic dysfunction--case report].

INTRODUCTION: Persistent severe vomiting in pregnancy is called hyperemesis gravidarum. The etiology of this disorder is still unknown. However, endocrinological disorders and psychological factors are mentioned as possible causes. Vomiting usually stops after the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. CASE REPORT: A case of persistent, severe vomiting during pregnancy is reported. The patient was admitted to the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Novi Sad in the 29th week gestation due to persistent vomiting from the beginning of pregnancy. A psychological evaluation including current psychological status was performed. The obtained results showed that hyperemesis gravidarum was a consequence of associated psychosocial factors, and conflicts causing somatic disorders. CONCLUSION: Such cases point to the importance of psychotherapy in pregnancy either with or without drug therapy. In addition, we underline the importance of psychological preparation before pregnancy and better information about pregnancy and motherhood.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Sex hormones and female sexuality].

INTRODUCTION: In contrast to animal species in which linear relationships exist between hormonal status and sexual behaviour sexuality in human population is not determined so simply by the level of sexual steroids. The article analyses female sexuality in the light of hormonal status. ADMINISTRATION OF SEXUAL STEROIDS DURING PREGNANCY AND SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION: High doses of gestagens, especially those with high androgen activity, widely used against miscarriages may lead to tomboys, but without differences in sexual orientation. However, it has been observed that the frequency of bisexual and lesbian women is higher in women with congenital adrenogenital syndrome. HORMONES SEXUAL DESIRE AND SEXUALITY DURING MENSTRUAL CYCLE: It has been established that sexual desire, autoeroticism and sexual fantasies in women depend on androgen levels. There are a lot of reports claiming that sexual desire varies during the menstrual cycle. HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION AND SEXUALITY: Most patients using birth control pills present with decreased libido. But, there are reports that progestagens with antiandrogenic effect in contraceptive pills do not affect sexual desire. HORMONAL CHANGES IN PERI- AND POSTMENOPAUSAL PERIOD AND SEXUALITY: Decreased levels of estrogen and testosterone in older women are associated with decreased libido, sensitivity and erotic stimuli. SEXUALITY AND HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY: Hormonal therapy with estrogen is efficient in reference to genital atrophy, but not to sexual desire. Really increased libido is achieved using androgens. Also, therapy with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and tibolone have positive effects on female libido. CONCLUSION: Effect of sexual steroids on sexual sphere of women is very complex. The association between hormones and sexuality is multidimensional, as several hormones are important in regulation of sexual behaviour. Still, it should be pointed out that sexuality is in the domain of hormonal, emotional-motivational and social factors.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pregnancy as a psychological event].

INTRODUCTION: Apart from physiological and somatic changes, pregnancy is a complex phenomenon which also includes psychological and social changes. Pregnancy, especially the first one, represents a powerful psychological event. This paper deals with pregnancy as a psychological event, considering psychological changes in the course ofpregnancy as a stressful event. PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY: Pregnancy is always associated with changes in psychological functioning of pregnant women. It is usually associated with ambivalence, frequent mood changes, varying from anxiety, fatigue, exhaustion, sleepiness, depressive reactions to excitement. During pregnancy, changes include body appearance, affectivity and sexuality, whereas the position and role of women attains a new quality. Even thoughts of pregnancy can bring about numerous worries about its course and outcome, and especially of the delivery itself, which may be so intense that they acquire a features of phobia (which may be the reason for avoiding pregnancy). PREGNANCY AS A STRESSFUL EVENT: Pregnancy is identified as a potent stressor that can seriously affect the psychic status of pregnant women, perinatal outcome, but also psychic functioning of the new-born individual. Appropriate relationship of partners and support of the society play an important role in overcoming stress during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy is an event that involves numerous somatic and psychological changes. However, pregnancy can also be a potent stressor. Existence of prenatal maternal stress may lead to different perinatal complications that may have long-term consequences on the newborn. In prevention of maternal stress emphasis has to be put on partner's emotional support, as well as empathy of the social environment. However, in certain cases, professional psychotherapeutic support is necessary, in form of short supportive treatment. Preventive measures should include adequate psychological support during pregnancy, especially the first one, provided for all pregnant women, but also for those women that plan to get pregnant in the near future.

Emotions↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pregnancy as a stressful life event and strategies for coping with stress in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension].

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) represents an extremely important problem in perinatology. Despite numerous clinical observations and studies, the etiology and exact sequence of pathophysiological events accompanying this specific disorder have remained still unresolved. The concepts most often considered are those that include genetic, endocrine and immunological mechanisms. Besides, one can also find in the literature considerations addressing potential participation of psychologicalfactors in pregnancy-induced hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included two groups of women--100 women with PIH and 100 of women with normal course of pregnancy, which were tested using two questionnaires concerning pregnancy as a stressful event and using strategies for coping with stress. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Women with PIH experience pregnancy in a more stressful way than women with regular course of pregnancy. However, it is necessary to point out that respondents of both groups thought that pregnant women seek attention from everyone from their environment, and that their husbands/partners should pay special attention to them during pregnancy. The importance of relationship between partners during pregnancy and the emotional life of pregnant woman has been also examined by other researchers. These data suggest that pregnancy is an emotionally vulnerable period during which women demand special attention from the environment and especially from their husbands/partners. In view of using particular strategies to cope with stress, certain differences have been registered between the two groups of women. Namely, women with PIH utilize much more the mechanism of seeking social support and much less the mechanism of positive redefinition, compared with women with normal course of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: From the psychosocial approach, pregnancy may be considered as a specific state of high emotional tension, which can represent a potent stressor. In the frame of specific reactions to stress, pregnancy as a stress-inducing situation may lead to transformation of emotional tension to biochemical and vegetative response, and thus contribute to onset of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Emergency contraception--current trends, possibilities and limitations].

INTRODUCTION: Emergency contraception has been used for over three decades. Indications for emergency contraception are intercourse without contraceptive protection or inadequate application of other contraceptive means. Also, this method is the only way out in situations when sexual intercourse has proceeded not only without protection, but also without voluntary agreement of both partners. CONTRACEPTION MEANS: Despite of their proven efficiency, it is thought that application of contraception means, even in countries with highly developed systems of health care, is far below optimal. Contemporary studies have pointed out some new posibilities and novel, modified methods of emergency contraception have been proposed. Basic methods of emergency contraception include use of hormonal preparations and postcoital insertion of intrauterine copper devices. Hormonal preparations that are used in emergency contraception are: combined hormonal contraceptive pills, levonorrgestrel and antiprogestin mifepristone. In 1998, the method with levonogestrel only, was indicated by World Health Organization as a "golden standard" in hormonal emergency contraception. The article gives a survey of new trends, possibilities and limitations of modern emergency contraception, with the aim of popularization of this form of contraception in our country.

Contraception, Postcoital↗