Assessment of sexual dysfunction and its related factors in pregnant women referred to Mashhad health centers (2017-2018)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Instructor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Quchan Branch, Quchan, Iran.

4 Assistance professor, Department of Biostatistics, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran.

5 BC in Midwifery, Deputy of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy is a phenomenon which is associated with very important physical and psychological changes. It plays an important role in women’s sexual function, as sexual relationships are changing due to various physical and psychological changes during pregnancy. This study was performed with aim to evaluate sexual dysfunction and its related factors in pregnant women referred to Mashhad health centers.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 241 pregnant women referred to Mashhad health center in 2017. Data collection tools were demographic questionnaire and female sexual function Index. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software (version 16) and multi liner regression model test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean of total score of women's sexual performance was 26.47 ± 5.64 and 131 women (54.4%) had sexual dysfunction. Mean scores of sexual desire was 3.95 ± 0.98, Arousal 4.15 ± 1.19, Lubrication 4.64 ± 1.25, orgasm 3.53 ± 1.34, sexual satisfaction 4.89 ± 1.10 and painful intercourse 4.31 ± 1.36, and the most common sexual dysfunction were decreased sexual desire (46.5%) and Arousal (43.6%). The results of linear regression showed that previous history of delivery was related to sexual function, so that in the case of previous delivery, the mean of total score of sexual function decreased 1.86 unit (P = 0.01).
Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction has high prevalence in pregnant women and history of previous delivery had a negative effect on sexual function. Therefore, it is suggested that sexual counseling programs be merged in prenatal care to improve the quality of pregnant women's care, and sexual counseling programs be designed and implemented especially for multiparous pregnant women.

Keywords


  1. Jahanfar S, Molayinejad M. Textbook of sexual dysfunction. Tehran: Salemi; 2001. (Persian).
  2. Anbaran ZK, Baghdari N, Pourshirazi M, Karimi FZ, Rezvanifard M, Mazlom SR. Postpartum sexual function in women and infant feeding methods. J Pak Med Assoc 2015; 65(3):248-52.
  3. Shandiz FH, Karimi FZ, Rahimi N, Abdolahi M, Anbaran ZK, Ghasemi M, et al. Investigating sexual function and affecting factors in women with breast cancer in Iran. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2016; 17(7):3583-6.
  4. Maleki-Saghooni, N., Heidarian Miri, H., Karimi, F., Mirteimouri, M. The effect of systemic lupus erythematosus on women's sexual function: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility, 2018; 21(7): 86-96. (Persian).
  5. Karimi A, Dadgar S, Afiat M, Rahimi N. The Effect of sexual health education on couples' sexual satisfaction. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2013; 15(43):23-30. (Persian).
  6. Homaee Shandiz F, Karimi FZ, Khosravi Anbaran Z, Abdollahi M, Rahimi N, Ghasemi M. Investigating the quality of life and the related factors in Iranian women with breast cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2017; 18(8):2089-92.
  7. Oksuz E, Malhan S. Prevalence and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in Turkish women. J Urol 2006; 175(2):654-8.
  8. Bayrami R, Satarzadeh N, Kouchaksaraei FR, Pezeshki MZ. Evaluation of sexual behaviors and some of its related factors in pregnant women, Tabriz, Iran 2005. J Urmia Univ Med Sci 2009; 20(1):1-7.
  9. Zahra Karimi F, Dadgar S, Abdollahi M, Yousefi S, Tolyat M, Khosravi Anbaran Z. The relationship between minor ailments of pregnancy and quality of life in pregnant women. Iran J Obstet Gyneocol Infertil 2017; 20(6):8-21.
  10. Read J. Sexual problems associated with infertility, pregnancy and ageing. BMJ 2004; 392(7465):559-61.
  11. Cayan S, Akbay E, Bozlu M, Canpolat B, Acar D, Ulusoy E. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction and potential risk factors that may impair sexual function in Turkish women. Urol Int 2004; 72(1):52-7.
  12. Gałązka I, Drosdzol‐Cop A, Naworska B, Czajkowska M, Skrzypulec‐Plinta V. Changes in the sexual function during pregnancy. The journal of sexual medicine. 2015 Feb; 12(2):445-54.
  13. Jones C, Chan C, Farine D. Sex in pregnancy. CMAJ 2011; 183(7):815-8.
  14. Novak E, Berek J. Novak’s gynecology. 15th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011.
  15. Nikpour S, Javaheri I, Yadavar Nikravesh M, Jamshidi R. Study of sexual problems resulting from delivery in primiparous women referred to outpatient clinics in west of Tehran. Razi J Med Sci 2006; 13(50):189-96.
  16. Baksu B, Davas I, Agar E, Akyol A, Varolan A. The effect of mode of delivery on postpartum sexual functioning in primiparous women. Int Urogynecol J 2006; 18(4):401-6.
  17. Santiago LR, da Silva Lara LA, Romão AP, da Mata Tiezzi MF, de Sá Rosa e Silva A. Impact of pregnancy on the sex life of women: state of the art. International Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2013 May 1; 4(05):257.
  18. Murrage SS, Corrie T. Foundation of maternal newborn nursing. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Sunders Company; 2002. P. 164-6.
  19. Alidost F, Dolatian M, Shams J, Nasiri M, Sarkhoshpour E. The Correlation of Sexual Dysfunction with Prenatal Stress and Quality of Life: A Path Analysis. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal. 2017; 19(7).
  20. Agha PH, Jafari M. Psychometric properties of Iranian version of female sexual function index. Jundishapur Sci Med J 2011; 10(4):345-54.
  21. Mohammadi KH, Heydari M, Faghihzadeh S. The female sexual function index (FSFI): validation of the Iranian version. Payesh 2008; 3:269-78. (Persian).
  22. Jamali S, Rasekh Jahromi A, Zarei F, Sobhanian S. Compression of sexual dysfunction during three trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women who had referred to Peymanieh clinic Jahrom in 2013. Nurs Dev Health 2014; 5(8-9):37-45. (Persian).
  23. Ebrahimian A, Heydari M, Zafarghandi S. Comparison of female sexual dysfunctions before and during pregnancy. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2010; 13(5):30-6. (Persian).
  24. Kuljarusnont S, Russameecharoen K, Thitadilok W. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in Thai pregnant women. Women 2011; 19(4):172-80.
  25. Bostani Khalesi Z, Rahebi SM, Mansour Ghanaee M. Evaluation of women's sexual performance during first pregnancy. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2012; 15(10):14-20. (Persian).
  26. Nematollahzade M, Maasoumi R, Lamyian M, Asghari Jafarabadi M. Study of women's attitude and sexual function during pregnancy. J Ardabil Univ Med Sci 2010; 10(3):241-9.
  27. Anzaku SA, Ogbe EA, Ogbu GI, Edem BE, Ngwan SD. Evaluation of changes in sexual response and factors influencing sexuality during pregnancy among Nigerian women in Jos, Nigeria. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2016; 5(10):3576-82.
  28. Pauls RN, Occhino JA, Dryfhout VL. Effects of pregnancy on female sexual function and body image: a prospective study. J Sex Med 2008; 5(8):1915-22.
  29. Ozgoli G, Zaki F, Amir Ali Akbari S, Alavi Majd H. A survey upon the sexual function and behaviour of pregnant women referring to state health centers of Ahvaz City-2007. Pajouhandeh 2008; 13(5):397-403. (Persian).
  30. Leite AP, Campos AA, Dias AR, Amed AM, De Souza E, Camano L. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction during pregnancy. Rev Assoc Med Bras 2009; 55(5):563-8.
  31. Rahimi S, Seyyed Rasooli E. Sexual behavior during pregnancy: a descriptive study of pregnant women in Tabriz, Iran. Payesh 2004; 3(4):291-9. (Persian).
  32. Gałązka I, Drosdzol-Cop A, Naworska B, Czajkowska M, Skrzypulec-Plinta V. Changes in the sexual function during pregnancy. J Sex Med 2015; 12(2):445-54.
  33. Abouzari Gazafroodi K, Najafi F, Kazemnejad E, Rahimikian F, Shariat M, Rahnama P. Comparison of sexual function between nulliparous with multiparous pregnant women. J Hayat 2013; 18(5):55-63. (Persian).
  34. Ahmad Shirvani M, Bagheri Nesami M. Sexual dysfunction and related factors among breast feeding women. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2011; 14(5):38-44. (Persian).
  35. Witting K, Santtila P, Alanko K, Harlaar N, Jern P, Johansson A, et al. Female sexual function and its associations with number of children, pregnancy, and relationship satisfaction. J Sex Marital Ther 2008; 34(2):89-106.
  36. Pasha H, HadjAhmadi M. Evaluation of sexual behaviors in pregnant women and some related factors. Biom J Hormozgan Univ Med Sci 2007; 10(4):343-8. (Persian).