A Cross-Sectional Study of Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction During Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction Although women may undergo changes in sexual function during pregnancy, there are limited studies correlating possible sexual function changes to androgen blood levels during the pregnancy. Aim To search for a possible correlation, we performed a cross-sectional observational study to assess sexual function scores and androgen blood levels of women during pregnancy. Materials and Methods A total of 589 healthy pregnant women were recruited to the present cross-sectional study. Of these patients, 116 (19.6%), 220 (37.3%), and 253 (42.9%) were in their first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. They were evaluated with a detailed medical and sexual history, including IFSF questionnaire. In addition, maternal serum androgen levels (testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, free testosterone) were determined in each trimester during regular follow-ups. Main Outcome Measures Assessment of Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) domains and serum androgen levels in each trimester. Results The mean age of the three groups were similar (P > 0.05). Overall, total IFSF scores of women in the first and second trimesters were 21.4 ± 10.1 and 22.3 ± 10, respectively, while it was 15.9 ± 12.3 during the third trimester (P < 0.05). The most common sexual dysfunction symptom was diminished clitoral sensation, observed in 94.2% of the patients, followed by lack of libido in 92.6% and orgasmic disorder in 81%. No correlation was detected between total IFSF score and serum androgen levels. Conclusions In this cross-sectional study, we noted lower sexual function scores in women in the third trimester of their pregnancies compared with those in their first two trimesters of pregnancy. These lower sexual function scores in the third trimester were not associated with lower androgen levels. We plan to perform a future prospective study to better assess both the change in sexual function and also its possible relation to androgen levels in pregnant women.

Prevalence and correlates of female sexual dysfunction among Turkish pregnant women

“…Main factors which may lead to sexual dysfunction during pregnancy are physical and hormonal changes that may cause perceived loss of attractiveness, diminished self-esteem due to low body image and other psychological factors. [18] The prevalence of FSD among pregnant women was reported between 50-80% in the literature. [9,12,15,19] In Turkey, epidemiological studies revealed a much higher rate of FSD during pregnancy as 80-90%.…”

“…In contrary, some studies demonstrated a relative increase in sexual functions during second trimester when compared to the first and third trimesters. [11,12,18] The reasons of increased sexual dysfunction in the first trimester were related to increased fatigue due to nausea, vomiting and inability to comply with this new period. [13] Cessation of those complaints, less fear of miscarriage and increased vascular congestion may contribute to decreased rate of FSD in the second trimester.…”

“…[13] Cessation of those complaints, less fear of miscarriage and increased vascular congestion may contribute to decreased rate of FSD in the second trimester. [18,[23][24][25] Increased abdominal volume, postural changes with subsequent lumbar pain and fear of preterm labor were counted as the reasons of more intense sexual dysfunction in third trimester. [26] Our data also revealed that the rate of pregnant women with FSD was higher in the first and third trimesters than the second trimester.…”

Função sexual e qualidade de vida em gestantes de baixo risco

“…Apesar de diversos trabalhos analisarem a função sexual durante a gravidez 3,4,[7][8][9][10][11]19,25 , não encontramos estudos que a correlacionassem com a qualidade de vida em gestantes saudáveis. Sabe-se que a função sexual passa por mudanças na gestação, ocorrendo o aumento de sintomas de disfunção sexual, como a diminuição de desejo e a dispareunia nesse período 9,[11][12][13] .…”

“…Somente o fato de tomar conhecimento da gravidez, logo nas primeiras semanas, parece afetar a atividade sexual feminina, diminuindo o número de coitos 2 . Estudos mostram que nos mais diversos contextos socioeconômico e cultural as mulheres podem apresentar dificuldades com desejo, excitação, orgasmo, lubrificação, além de insatisfação sexual e dispareunia na gravidez [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] .…”