Top

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Published in:

01-11-2019 | General Gynecology

Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnancy

Authors: Suzanna Daud, Akmal Zulayla Mohd Zahid, Mariam Mohamad, Bahiyah Abdullah, Noor Azura Noor Mohamad

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 5/2019

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction during pregnancy and to determine its associated factors.

Methods

This 6-month cross-sectional study adopted convenience sampling; inclusion criteria were healthy pregnant women, sexually active and living together with their partner for 3 months prior to recruitment into this study. Women who received advice to avoid sexual intercourse, with any medical illness and/or those conceived via assisted reproductive technology were excluded. Participants filled in a questionnaire consisting of demographic details and Malay Version Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS 24.0; categorical data were analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher exact test.

Results

One hundred pregnant women with a mean age of 31 + 4.31 years old participated. By using the cut-off FSFI score of 26.55, 81 (81%) participants were diagnosed to have sexual dysfunction. The mean FSFI score was 20.41 ± 8.45 (range 2.6–33.5; median 23.6). All the mean FSFI scores of first, second and third trimesters were low with 22.80 ± 10.67, 23.81 ± 7.18 and 18.74 ± 8.43, respectively. The mean score for desire, arousal, satisfaction and pain were significantly lower in the third trimester than earlier gestation. There was a significant difference in the incidence of difficulties in desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction and pain between first and second trimester combined, as compared to the third trimester of pregnancy. Trimester of pregnancy was found to have a significant association with the incidence of sexual dysfunction.

Conclusion

Sexual dysfunction among pregnant women is a significant burden. Despite being a common health problem, it is often neglected.

Basson R, Berman J, Burnett A, Derogatis L, Ferguson D, Fourcroy J, Goldstein I, Graziottin A, Heiman J, Laan E, Leiblum S, Padma-Nathan H, Rosen R, Segraves K, Segraves RT, Shabsigh R, Sipski M, Wagner G, Whipple B (2001) Report of the international consensus development conference on female sexual dysfunction: definitions and classifications. J Sex Marital Ther 27(2):83–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/00926230152051707 CrossRef

Vitale SG, Caruso S, Rapisarda AMC, Valenti G, Rossetti D, Cianci S, Cianci A (2016) Biocompatible porcine dermis graft to treat severe cystocele: impact on quality of life and sexuality. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293(1):125–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3820-0 CrossRefPubMed

Vitale SG, La Rosa VL, Vitagliano A, Noventa M, Laganà FM, Ardizzone A, Rapisarda AMC, Terzic MM, Terzic S, Laganà AS (2017) Sexual function and quality of life in patients affected by deep infiltrating endometriosis: current evidence and future perspectives. J Endometr Pelvic Pain Disord 9(4):270–274. https://doi.org/10.5301/jeppd.5000303 CrossRef

Laumann EO, Paik A, Rosen RC (1999) Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors. JAMA 281(6):537–544. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.281.6.537 CrossRefPubMed

Fok WY, Chan LY, Yuen PM (2005) Sexual behavior and activity in Chinese pregnant women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 84(10):934–938. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00743.x CrossRefPubMed

Trutnovsky G, Haas J, Lang U, Petru E (2006) Women's perception of sexuality during pregnancy and after birth. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 46(4):282–287. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828X.2006.00592.x CrossRefPubMed

Aslan G, Aslan D, Kızılyar A, İspahi Ç, Esen A (2005) A prospective analysis of sexual functions during pregnancy. Int J Impot Res 17(2):154–157. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901288 CrossRefPubMed

Bartellas E, Crane JMG, Daley M, Bennett KA, Hutchens D (2000) Sexuality and sexual activity in pregnancy. BJOG Int J Obstet Gynaecol 107(8):964–968. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2000.tb10397.x CrossRef

Oruç S, Esen A, Laçin S, Adigüzel H, Uyar Y, Koyuncu F (1999) Sexual behaviour during pregnancy. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 39(1):48–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828X.1999.tb03443.x CrossRefPubMed

10.

Sleep J, Grant A (1987) West Berkshire perineal management trial: three year follow up. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 295(6601):749–751. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.295.6601.749 CrossRef

11.

Barclay LM, McDonald P, O'Loughlin JA (1994) Sexuality and pregnancy an interview study. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 34(1):1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828X.1994.tb01029.x CrossRefPubMed

12.

Onah HE, Iloabachie GC, Obi SN, Ezugwu FO, Eze JN (2002) Nigerian male sexual activity during pregnancy. Int J Gynecol Obstet 76(2):219–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-7292(01)00579-3 CrossRef

13.

Aydin M, Cayonu N, Kadihasanoglu M, Irkilata L, Atilla MK, Kendirci M (2015) Comparison of sexual functions in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Urol J 12(5):2339–2344. https://doi.org/10.22037/uj.v12i5.2881 CrossRefPubMed

14.

Williamson M, McVeigh C, Baafi M (2008) An Australian perspective of fatherhood and sexuality. Midwifery 24(1):99–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2006.07.010 CrossRefPubMed

15.

Ahmed MR, Madny EH, Sayed Ahmed WA (2014) Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction during pregnancy among Egyptian women. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 40(4):1023–1029. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.12313 CrossRefPubMed

16.

Sidi H, Abdullah N, Puteh SE, Midin M (2007) The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): validation of the Malay version. J Sex Med 4(6):1642–1654. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00476.x CrossRefPubMed

17.

Wiegel M, Meston C, Rosen R (2005) The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): cross-validation and development of clinical cutoff scores. J Sex Marital Ther 31(1):1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00926230590475206 CrossRefPubMed

18.

Corbacioglu Esmer A, Akca A, Akbayir O, Goksedef BP, Bakir VL (2013) Female sexual function and associated factors during pregnancy. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 39(6):1165–1172. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.12048 CrossRefPubMed

19.

Naldoni LM, Pazmino MA, Pezzan PA, Pereira SB, Duarte G, Ferreira CH (2011) Evaluation of sexual function in Brazilian pregnant women. J Sex Marital Ther 37(2):116–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623x.2011.560537 CrossRefPubMed

20.

Kucukdurmaz F, Efe E, Malkoc O, Kolus E, Amasyali AS, Resim S (2016) Prevalence and correlates of female sexual dysfunction among Turkish pregnant women. Turk J Urol 42(3):178–183. https://doi.org/10.5152/tud.2016.49207 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

21.

Kerdarunsuksri A, Manusirivithaya S (2010) Attitudes and sexual function in Thai pregnant women. J Med Assoc Thai 93(3):265–271PubMed

22.

Razali R, Balakrishnan K, Sidi H, Peter J, Razi Z (2012) Is sexual dysfunction common among pregnant Malaysian women? BJOG Int J Obstet Gynaecol 119:132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03377.x CrossRef

23.

Sidi H, Puteh SE, Abdullah N, Midin M (2007) The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and potential risk factors that may impair sexual function in Malaysian women. J Sex Med 4(2):311–321. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2006.00319.x CrossRefPubMed

24.

Alsibiani SA (2014) Effects of pregnancy on sexual function. Findings from a survey of Saudi women. Saudi Med J 35(5):482–487PubMed

25.

Erol B, Sanli O, Korkmaz D, Seyhan A, Akman T, Kadioglu A (2007) A cross-sectional study of female sexual function and dysfunction during pregnancy. J Sex Med 5:1381–1387. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00559.x CrossRef

26.

Leite AP, Campos AA, Dias AR, Amed AM, De Souza E, Camano L (2009) Prevalence of sexual dysfunction during pregnancy. Rev Assoc Med Bras 55(5):563–568. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-42302009000500020 CrossRefPubMed

27.

Jamali S, Mosalanejad L (2013) Sexual dysfunction in Iranian pregnant women. Iran J Reprod Med 11(6):479–486PubMedPubMedCentral

28.

Khamis MA, Mustafa MF, Mohamed SN, Toson MM (2007) Influence of gestational period on sexual behavior. J Egypt Public Health Assoc 82(1–2):65–90PubMed

29.

Erbil N (2018) Sexual function of pregnant women in the third trimester. Alex J Med 54(2):139–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajme.2017.03.004 CrossRef

30.

Yildiz H (2015) The relation between prepregnancy sexuality and sexual function during pregnancy and the postpartum period: a prospective study. J Sex Marital Ther 41(1):49–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2013.811452 CrossRefPubMed

31.

Prado DS, Lima RV, de Lima LMMR (2013) Impact of pregnancy on female sexual function. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 35(5):205–209. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-72032013000500003 CrossRefPubMed

32.

Eryilmaz G, Ege E, Zincir H (2004) Factors affecting sexual life during pregnancy in eastern Turkey. Gynecol Obstet Investig 57(2):103–108. https://doi.org/10.1159/000075582 CrossRef

33.

Ribeiro MC, Nakamura MU, Torloni MR, Scanavino Mde T, Mancini PE, Forte BM, Mattar R (2016) Maternal overweight and sexual function in pregnancy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 95(1):45–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12796 CrossRefPubMed

34.

Kolotkin RL, Binks M, Crosby RD, Ostbye T, Gress RE, Adams TD (2006) Obesity and sexual quality of life. Obesity 14(3):472–479. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2006.62 CrossRefPubMed

35.

Anjang ARA, Nabilla A-S, Wah YL (2011) Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in primary care setting. Malays J Men Health 8(S1):S50–S53. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1875-6867(11)60021-3 CrossRef

Title: Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnancy
Authors: Suzanna Daud
Akmal Zulayla Mohd Zahid
Mariam Mohamad
Bahiyah Abdullah
Noor Azura Noor Mohamad
Publication date: 01-11-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05273-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnancy

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 5/2019

Use of dimethylxanthine theophylline (SpermMobil®) does not affect clinical, obstetric or perinatal outcomes

The clinical characteristics and prognosis of endometrial carcinomas that occur after breast cancer: does hormone receptor status of breast cancer matter?

Auricular acupuncture as effective pain relief after episiotomy: a randomized controlled pilot study

The clinical benefits of hormonal treatment for LG-ESS: a meta-analysis

The risk of placenta previa and cesarean section associated with a thin endometrial thickness: a retrospective study of 5251 singleton births during frozen embryo transfer in China

Circulating non-coding RNAs as non-invasive diagnostic markers of endometriosis: a comprehensive meta-analysis