Sexual problems in women during the first postpartum year and related conditions

Abstract

Healthcare professionals should evaluate women in terms of their sexual functions during both pregnancy and postpartum period. Health education, counselling, referral services for early diagnosis and treatment might contribute to the protection and improvement of the sexual health of women during the postpartum period.

Disfunção sexual e fatores associados relatados no período pós-parto

“…Caring for women integrally means being concerned with their sexual health, requiring nurses to search for theoretical and practical approaches on the strategies that enable confrontation of this reality. (1,3,4,11) Similar results were identified in a study of women in the first 3 months of postpartum, in which it was identified that 83% of them experienced sexual problems, decreasing to 64% at 6 months -although not reaching pre-pregnancy levels of 38%. (12) In this sense, the fact is that health professionals need to be aware of issues related to sexuality of women/couples.…”

“…Studies show that although many couples present sexual difficulties, especially after the first birth, few are those who, in fact, seek professional help. (1,3,4,14) Regarding types of sexual dysfunctions identified in this study, we recognized more frequently, dyspareunia, vaginismus, dysfunction of desire and orgasmic, and finally, dysfunction of arousal stage. The factors associated with these dysfunctions were women belonging to the Catholic or Protestant religion; working over 8 hours/daily; vaginal delivery with suture; the presence of dyspareunia during pregnancy; and the presence of vaginismus before pregnancy.…”

“…(9,13) The high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnancy and childbirth cycle, particularly dyspareunia, found in this study and reinforced by the literature, seems to be justified by these conditions, and other factors such as perineal trauma, fatigue, physical discomfort, fear of infection, pain in the breasts, impaired of self-image and body image, and depression. (1,3,4,11) Understanding the association of primiparity factor with female sexual dysfunction seems to be in both religion and familiarity of these women, with regard to their corporeality, their rights and their duties in functions within society. Education based on traditional precepts, veiled in a sexist male society, especially with regard to education and women's sexual health, also seems to be present in this association.…”

“…Early identification is critical for the detection of emotional and relational conflicts, in addition to medical referrals. (3,(5)(6)(7) The dyspareunia appears in most studies as major sexual dysfunctions in the postpartum, compromising the desire, sexual satisfaction and frequency of sex. Presumably related to normal delivery, the presence of episiotomy and/or lacerations and breastfeeding, dyspareunia is not the only sexual dysfunction that affects women in this period of their lives, deserving an expansion of the studies on this theme.…”

“…(3) The need to adapt to the demands of the newborn and the parental role may adversely affect the intimacy of the couple, as well as changes in body image and the desexualized figure of woman, cultivated by society. These features, plus the fear of pain in the intercourse and/or becoming pregnant again may cause distress difficulties and limitations in the sexual female sexuality.…”