TITLE:
Sexual Function in Pregnant Women in the Public Health System
AUTHORS:
Cândice Cezimbra Miranda, Amanda Vilaverde Perez, Bruno Ribeiro Bossardi, Luiza Cabreira Brust, Fernanda Santos Grossi, Edimárlei Gonsales Valério, Janete Vettorazzi, Maria Celeste Osório Wender
KEYWORDS:
Sexual Dysfunction, Pregnancy, Female Sexual Function Index, Sexuality, Sexual Function
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.9 No.6,
May
31,
2019
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Pregnancy is a unique situation and involves changes
in sexuality. The aim is to evaluate sexual function and satisfaction in pregnant women under
prenatal care provided by the public health system. Method: Cross-sectional study with pregnant women receiving ambulatory care in the
public health system in the Southern region of Brazil conducted
between November 2014 and September 2015. Results: 283 pregnant women
were studied. The mean age was 27.7 ± 6.3
years; 64% were white and 31.1% were nulliparous. In the total sample, 8.50%
were in the first trimester of pregnancy, 37.4% were in the second trimester,
and 54.1% were in the third trimester. The rate of global sexual dysfunction
(score 26 points) was 55.5%, following the application of The Female Sexual
Function Index (FSFI). Sexual dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in
the third trimester (62%) compared to the first (33.3%) and second (50.9%)
trimesters (p = 0.015). There was a significant difference in all domains, except in the desired domain, according to the trimester. Pregnant women in the third trimester
showed significantly lower scores compared to those in the first trimester in
the domains with significance. Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual
dysfunction among pregnant women in the public system was high. Knowing that
more than 50% of the pregnant women presented sexual dysfunction, it is
essential to approach sexuality during prenatal care involving the couple.