Sexuality and pregnancy: Beliefs and dysfunctions in pregnant women

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research 2024-12, Vol.51 (1), p.e16169
• Main Authors: Guermazi, Fatma, Ajmi, Syrine, Jmaa, Maissa Ben, Masmoudi, Rim, Zouari, Amina, Amamou, Badii, Feki, Ines, Baâti, Imen, Masmoudi, Jawaher
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Original; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications - psychology; Pregnant Women - psychology; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - epidemiology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - psychology; Sexuality - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1447-0756; 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/jog.16169

Pregnancy brings out significant physiological, psychological, and sexual changes that may lead to sexual dysfunction. Our study aimed to explore common beliefs about sexuality during pregnancy among pregnant women and to assess sexual dysfunction in this population. We conducted a cross-sectional study between March and August 2022, involving pregnant women regardless of their pregnancy term. A self-administered questionnaire was digitized using Google Forms®, and the Female Sexual Function Index was used to identify the presence of sexual dysfunction. A total of 34 women with a mean age of 31.56 ± 3.25 years participated in our study. Among the participating women, 29.5% had questions about sexuality during pregnancy, 26.5% sought information from caregivers, and 41.2% received spontaneous information from their doctors. Regarding common beliefs, some pregnant women thought that sexual intercourse could harm the fetus (20.6%) or their own health (17.6%). Sexual dysfunction was found in 70.6%, and no significant associations were found between the presence of sexual dysfunction and the sociodemographic or clinical data related to ongoing pregnancy. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction during pregnancy is quite high. Providing accurate information and advice from trained professionals can dispel misconceptions, demystify beliefs about sexuality, and improve the sexual performance of couples during pregnancy.