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Sexual activity and sexual dysfunction of women in the perinatal period: a longitudinal study

  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Reduced sexual activity and dysfunctional problems are highly prevalent in the perinatal period, and there is a lack of data regarding the degree of normality during pregnancy. Several risk factors have been independently associated with a greater extent of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunctions in German women during the perinatal period and the verification of potential risk factors.

Methods

Questionnaires were administered to 315 women prenatally (TI 3rd trimester) and postpartum (TII 1 week, TIII 4 months), including the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Questionnaire of Partnership (PFB).

Results

The frequency of sexual inactivity was 24% (TI), 40.5% (TII), and 19.9% (TIII). Overall, 26.5−34.8% of women were at risk of sexual dysfunction (FSFI score <26.55) at all measurement points. Sexual desire disorder was the most prevalent form of Female sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, especially breastfeeding and low partnership quality were revealed as significant risk factors for sexual dysfunctional problems postpartum. Depressive symptoms having a cesarean section and high maternal education were correlated with dysfunctional problems in several subdomains.

Conclusions

Findings indicated that women at risk of FSD differed significantly in aspects of partnership quality, breastfeeding, mode of delivery, maternal education, and depressive symptoms. Aspects of perinatal sexuality should be routinely implemented in the counseling of couples in prenatal classes.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported with funding from The German Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecaology.

Author contribution statement

SW: Project development, Protocol, Data management, Manuscript writing. AD: Data collection, Manuscript editing. RJK: Data collection, Manuscript editing. MM: Data analysis, Data management. MW: Project development, Manuscript writing. CR: Project development, Manuscript writing. KP: Data collection and management. SF: Data collection and management. LM: Data collection. CWW: Project development and manuscript editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Stephanie Wallwiener, Anne Doster, Katharina Plewniok, Sandra Feller, Markus Wallwiener & Lina Maria Matthies

  2. Department of Psychology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802, Munich, Germany

    Mitho Müller & Corinna Reck

  3. Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, University Hospital Heidelberg, INF 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Ruben Jeremias Kuon

  4. Department of Women’s Health, Research Institute for Women’s Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Christian Wallwiener

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  1. Stephanie Wallwiener
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  2. Mitho Müller
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  3. Anne Doster
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  4. Ruben Jeremias Kuon
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Correspondence to Stephanie Wallwiener.

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All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

Dr. Stephanie Wallwiener and Dr. Anne Doster were financially supported by the German Society of Psychosomatic Gynecology and Obstetrics.

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Wallwiener, S., Müller, M., Doster, A. et al. Sexual activity and sexual dysfunction of women in the perinatal period: a longitudinal study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 295, 873–883 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4305-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4305-0

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