What are the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in breastfeeding women? A Brazilian cross-sectional analytical study

Self-Perception of Sexual Dysfunction of Adult Brazilian Women of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction (SD) comprises disorders in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and lubrication. The importance of self-perceived SD relies on its relation to personal values, sex education, and partnership. We aimed to analyze the association between self-perceived SD and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in adult women of reproductive age and the correlation between age and sexual function.

Material and Methods

This analytical cross-sectional study included 285 women aged 18 to 49 years, sexually active for at least four weeks, cisgender and heterosexual, and with Internet access. Women were divided into control (CG, control group; without SD) or study group (SG, study group; with SD) and responded to a self-applicable online survey containing a sociodemographic characterization, an interview about SD knowledge, and the FSFI test. The Chi-square test of independence (χ2) analyzed the association between self-perceived SD and FSFI-assessed SD. Pearson's correlation coefficient investigated the correlation between age and FSFI.

Results

Included women had a mean age of 29.57 years ± 7.11 years. Self-perceived SD showed a moderate association (Cramer's V = 0.590) with the FSFI score (χ2 [2] = 91.500; p < 0.001). A weak, negative, and significant correlation was observed between age and the FSFI desire domain (r = -0.120; p = 0.030; r2 = 1.440).

Conclusion

Women with self-perceived SD were 68% more likely to present FSFI-assessed SD. Regarding the FSFI desire domain, sexual function decreased with age.

Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding and Maternal Sexuality among Polish Women: A Preliminary Report

Although postpartum sexual problems are common, there is a poor understanding of the underlying influencing factors and the impact of the infant feeding method on the mother's sexual life. A cross-sectional control study was conducted with a group of 253 women during their postpartum period. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different infant feeding methods on female sexual life after childbirth. The study followed the STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional control analysis. The study design included a questionnaire characterizing sociodemographic, obstetric and breastfeeding variables and the PL-FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index). The authors collected the data in compliance with the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) research methodology-an interview conducted via an Internet channel. Each respondent received and completed the survey provided to them via the same online link. This study included women in the postpartum period: 170 breastfeeding women (study group) and 83 formula-feeding women (control group). There were statistically significant difference between the groups that practiced different types of breastfeeding. Out of all the PL-FSFI-assessing domains, the highest average score for the whole group correlated with satisfaction and the lowest score correlated with lubrication use. Our findings indicate that women practicing only breastfeeding are more likely to develop sexual problems. In order to maintain sexual health and promote long-term breastfeeding, extensive and professional counseling is needed for couples about postpartum sexuality and the factors that affect it, such as breastfeeding.

How do new mothers describe their postpartum sexual quality of life? a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Sexuality plays a critical role in a woman's postpartum quality of life and also has a strong impact on the quality of her relationship. Given the sparse body of published literature on the subject, we aimed to explore how new mothers explain their postpartum sexual quality of life.

METHOD

A qualitative study was carried out in Iran and Switzerland from December 2018 to March 2019. Focus groups and semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with mothers in the first four months after parturition. Mothers who were older than 18 years, were married or in a stable relationship, and experienced a low-risk vaginal birth or cesarean section participated in the study. We used Graneheim and Lundman's approach for analyzing the data. Multiple data collection methods, maximum variation sampling, and peer checks were applied to enhance the rigor of the data.

RESULTS

We achieved data saturation after two focus group discussions (FGDs), 15 IDIs in Iran, and 13 IDIs in Switzerland. We extracted three themes for postpartum sexual quality of life: (a) sexual worldview, (b) interpersonal relationship, and (c) postpartum sex storm. The participants described sexual worldview as "sexual beliefs", "sexual perceptions", and "sexual behaviors". The interpersonal relationship consists of "changes in postpartum interpersonal relationships" and "supportive role of the husbands/partners". The last one, postpartum sex storm, has three categories including "direct changes in sexual life", "indirect changes in sexual life", and "resumption of sexual intercourse". Differences between the two cultures were identified in some subcategories such as "sexual interests", "comparable to the first intercourse in life", "negative sexual behaviors of husbands/partners", "positive sexual behavior of mothers", "helping with child care and housework", and "emotional support".

CONCLUSION

New mothers explained postpartum sexual quality of life as a three-theme phenomenon. Although most results were similar in both cultures, there were some differences. Our study's results suggest that sexual quality of life is a topic that encompasses international as well as cultural aspects.

Percepções e vivências de mulheres acerca da sexualidade durante o período de amamentação

Objetivo: apreender como as mulheres percebem e vivenciam a sexualidade durante o período da amamentação. Método: estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, realizado com mulheres lactantes ou que já haviam amamentado, em seis Unidades Básicas de Saúde de município da região Sul do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados no período de maio a agosto de 2018, mediante entrevistas semiestruturadas, áudio-gravadas, realizadas em local reservado nas unidades de saúde. As informantes foram 18 mulheres com filhos de até 12 meses de vida, que estava sendo ou tivesse sido amamentado ao seio por algum tempo, e que compareceram à Unidade de Saúde para puericultura ou consulta com pediatra durante o período da coleta de dados. Foram excluídas as mulheres que referiram não ter iniciado a prática sexual no período de amamentação. Os dados produzidos foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo modalidade temática. Resultados: as mulheres percebem e vivenciam a sexualidade durante a amamentação por meio de mudanças na autoimagem, na autoestima e no relacionamento com o parceiro. As modificações mamárias foram bem percebidas no período gestacional e no início da amamentação, porém, com o decorrer do tempo, algumas mulheres as perceberam de forma negativa, sobretudo aquelas que tiveram mais dificuldade na retomada do peso pré-gravídico. Os resultados mostraram também que as mulheres passaram por um período de incertezas e inseguranças em relação a sexualidade e que mudanças da dinâmica conjugal foram necessárias neste período de transição para o exercício da sexualidade, considerando necessidades do suporte nutricional e afetivo do bebê. Conclusão: as mulheres percebem e vivenciam dificuldades em conciliar a sexualidade com a amamentação, visto que a nova dinâmica familiar decorrente do nascimento de um filho, associada as alterações na estética corporal, podem repercutir de forma negativa na sexualidade.

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among postpartum women on the East Coast of Malaysia

Objective

Sexual health is a key component of the overall health and quality of life of both men and women. Sexual dysfunction is a common condition, but it lacks professional recognition. This study aims to determine the prevalence and types of sexual dysfunctions among postpartum women in primary care clinics and their associated factors in a Malaysian cohort.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 420 women from nine primary care clinics in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. All participants had given livebirths within six weeks to six months and had attended either a postnatal or a well-child clinic at a government primary care clinic. The assessment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was done using a validated Malay version of the female sexual function index (MVFSFI). Data were statistically analysed using appropriate methods.

Results

More than one-third (35.5%) of women had postpartum sexual dysfunction. The most common types were lubrication disorder 85.6% (n = 113), followed by loss of desire 69.7% (n = 92) and pain disorders 62.9% (n = 83). Satisfaction disorder 7.3% (n = 27), orgasmic disorder 9.7% (n = 56) and arousal disorder 11.0% (n = 41) were less common sexual problems. The independent associated factors for FSD were high education level (adjusted odd ratio = 1.717, 95% CI 1.036–2.844; p < 0.05) and usage of hormonal contraception (adjusted odd ratio = 0.582, 95% CI 0.355–0.954; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study showed a high prevalence of postpartum sexual dysfunction in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. The most common type of sexual dysfunction was lubrication disorder. Efforts at increasing awareness in healthcare professionals should be made.

Effect of sexual health education on sexual function and resumption of sexual intercourse after childbirth in primiparous women

INTRODUCTION

A large number of women experience sexual health problems during the postpartum period. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sexual health education on sexual function and time of sexual intercourse resumption after childbirth in primiparous women in Southeast Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 94 primiparous women randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group was subjected to three training sessions 3-5, 10-14, and 30-45 days after childbirth (first session lasting 20 min and other sessions 60 min). On the other hand, the participants in the control group only received the routine postpartum training. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was completed by all participants before and 8 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using descriptive and inferential statistics, such as Chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired sample t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean score of FSFI in the intervention group was increased from 12.70 ± 6.166 before the onset of the intervention to 17.36 ± 5.407 after 8 weeks (P = 0.01). In the control group, the mean score of FSFI was decreased from 13.09 ± 4.306 to 12.29 ± 3.511 on the 8th week postpartum (P = 0.06). The mean times of sexual intercourse resumption in the intervention and control groups were 5.82 ± 0.17 and 5.81 ± 0.22 weeks, respectively, which were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.879).

CONCLUSION

Sexual health education for women in the postpartum period could improve their sexual function after childbirth. However, it is recommended to use sexual health education programs in women during the postpartum period to promote female sexual function.