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Background Pregnancy is a normal physiological stressful process that cause a lot of changes in all body systems so that it can affect the female sexual function. Aim To assess the pattern of female sexual function throughout pregnancy. Design A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted for the present study. Setting The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic at Alkser Alini. Sample A purposive sample of 90 pregnant women was recruited in the study and divided into three groups: 30 pregnant women according to pregnancy trimester. Tool The interviewing questionnaire was composed of the woman personal data, husband’s personal data, sexual history, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used. Results Most women suffered from deteriorated sexual function during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy (86.7 and 96.7%), respectively, while they remained sexually active in the second trimester. There was a statistical significant relation between the FSFI total scores and having back pain, dyspnea, leg pain, and heartburn (P<0.05). Also, there was a statistical significant relation between the FSFI total scores and woman’s age, number of children, residence, husband’s age, and state of circumcision. Conclusion Pregnancy plays a negative role in decreasing the pregnant woman’s sexual function, especially in the first and third trimesters as compared to the second trimester. Recommendation Replication of the study using a prospective approach of one group of women to assess the female sexual function and further studies using a qualitative approach allow collecting more detailed information about female sexual function and biopsychosocial factors affecting it are recommended.
Background Pregnancy is a normal physiological stressful process that cause a lot of changes in all body systems so that it can affect the female sexual function. Aim To assess the pattern of female sexual function throughout pregnancy. Design A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted for the present study. Setting The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic at Alkser Alini. Sample A purposive sample of 90 pregnant women was recruited in the study and divided into three groups: 30 pregnant women according to pregnancy trimester. Tool The interviewing questionnaire was composed of the woman personal data, husband’s personal data, sexual history, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used. Results Most women suffered from deteriorated sexual function during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy (86.7 and 96.7%), respectively, while they remained sexually active in the second trimester. There was a statistical significant relation between the FSFI total scores and having back pain, dyspnea, leg pain, and heartburn (P<0.05). Also, there was a statistical significant relation between the FSFI total scores and woman’s age, number of children, residence, husband’s age, and state of circumcision. Conclusion Pregnancy plays a negative role in decreasing the pregnant woman’s sexual function, especially in the first and third trimesters as compared to the second trimester. Recommendation Replication of the study using a prospective approach of one group of women to assess the female sexual function and further studies using a qualitative approach allow collecting more detailed information about female sexual function and biopsychosocial factors affecting it are recommended.
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