Risk factors for sexual dysfunction during the first year postpartum: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the connection of postpartum sexual dysfunction with mode of delivery, amenorrhea, depressive symptoms, and relationship satisfaction.

METHODS

For a prospective longitudinal study, we invited 729 Hungarian obstetrics patients to complete questionnaires at 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2), and 12 months (T3) postpartum. We sent them the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS), the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), and a self-constructed questionnaire for body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) and other data. Of the 389 who responded at T1, we selected 293 who met our criteria for age, obstetrical history, relationship history, completeness of response, and sexual activity. At T2 and T3, we selected 214 and 95. We analyzed their data by multivariate logit regression.

RESULTS

The rates of sexual dysfunction were 44.70% (T1), 40.18% (T2), and 23.15% (T3). Mode of delivery was not a risk factor. Amenorrhea was a risk factor at T1 (P = 0.012) and T2 (P = 0.001). Obesity was a protective factor at T1 (P = 0.021). The higher the EPDS score (T1: P < 0.001; T2: P = 0.035; T3: P = 0.043), and the lower the RAS score (T1: P = 0.016; T2: P = 0.010; T3: P = 0.032), the greater was the risk of dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Level of relationship satisfaction, severity of depressive symptoms, amenorrhea, and BMI are connected with sexual dysfunction within a year postpartum.

The Association Between Infant Feeding Methods and Female Sexual Dysfunctions

Background: Although postpartum sexual problems are common, the impact of the infant feeding method on sexual life is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different infant feeding methods and other influencing factors on female sexual life 3 months postpartum. Materials and Methods: Three hundred women from three obstetrical institutes were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire was administered 3 months postpartum. Women were categorized into three groups: exclusive breastfeeding (n = 180), mixed feeding (n = 75), and formula-feeding (n = 45) groups. The infant feeding method was assessed by self-constructed questions. Sexual dysfunctions were evaluated by the Hungarian version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: Of the women, 50.55% reported sexual dysfunction in the exclusive breastfeeding group, 42.66% in the mixed feeding group, and 31.11% in the formula-feeding group. Lack of sexual desire was the most prevalent dysfunction regardless of the infant feeding method. Significantly lower median scores were found in the exclusive breastfeeding group compared with the formula-feeding group for the total FSFI score (p = 0.002), arousal (p = 0.034), lubrication (p = 0.020), orgasm (p = 0.015), and pain (p = 0.021) subgroups. Breastfeeding (p = 0.032) and the quality of prepregnancy sexual life (p < 0.001) were significant factors, whereas prepregnancy dyspareunia, parity, age, income, and educational level did not predict women's postpartum sexual function. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that exclusive breastfeeding women have an increased likelihood of sexual problems 3 months postpartum. Extensive and professional counseling is needed for couples about postpartum sexuality and influencing factors such as breastfeeding to maintain sexual health and promote long-term breastfeeding.